The 2021 UN Food Systems Summit, slated for September, has a major goal in mind: to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“The Summit will launch bold new actions to deliver progress on all 17 SDGs, each of which relies to some degree on healthier, more sustainable and equitable food systems. The Summit will awaken the world to the fact that we all must work together to transform the way the world produces, consumes and thinks about food. It is a summit for everyone everywhere – a people’s summit. It is also a solutions summit that will require everyone to take action to transform the world’s food systems,” shares the United Nations.
The pre-summit, which took place 26 to 28 July in Rome, Italy, “set the stage for the culminating global event”. According to the UN, “the Summit will bring together key players from the worlds of science, business, policy, healthcare and academia, as well as farmers, indigenous people, youth organisations, consumer groups, environmental activists, and other key stakeholders. Before, during and after the Summit, these actors will come together to bring about tangible, positive changes to the world’s food systems”. One of whom was our very own Tastemaker, Cherrie Atilano: UN Nutrition Ambassador, founding farmer and president of AGREA.
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In fact, Cherrie was even recognised on stage as a Food Hero for her contributions to sustainable agriculture. Throughout the summit, she spoke on several panels and proudly represented the Philippines in gorgeous ensembles by local designers that showcased local fabrics.
“I will always love you, Philippines. These are frustrating, challenging and tough times, but our resilience and care for each other will make us survive. I am so happy and proud to raise our flag up high. I will use my voice to speak on behalf of our farmers, fishers, women, youth in agriculture and to push forward to create a healthy society where every Filipino has decent and nutritious food on their table,” Cherrie said.
In their daily lives, these participants from around the globe strive not only to promote and educate us on sustainable living or business practices, but lead by example and through action.
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