UN FOOD AGENCY TEAMS UP WITH EUROPEAN FOOTBALL LEAGUES TO FIGHT HUNGER

UN FOOD AGENCY TEAMS UP WITH EUROPEAN FOOTBALL LEAGUES TO FIGHT HUNGER
New York, Oct 15 2008 12:10PM
The United Nations food agency partnered with the European Professional Football Leagues today to kick off a campaign aimed at raising funds and awareness of the global fight against hunger and malnutrition at a ceremony in Rome.

With the number of undernourished now at almost a billion people globally, increasing the understanding among youth and Europeans in general may help bring pressure on governments to end hunger, according to a statement released by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

"The proceeds from the campaign will be used to finance micro-projects in developing countries. Currently some 2600 such projects are under way in 130 countries," said FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf at the campaign's launch.

The campaign, known as Professional Football Against Hunger, will include the 28 member leagues and associate members of EPFL, representing more than 960 football clubs across Europe.

During the ceremony the EPFL announced a football weekend against hunger to take place in March next year, involving all its members, as well as visits by well-known football players to FAO field projects, aimed at alerting the public of the struggle against hunger.

FAO Goodwill Ambassadors Roberto Baggio, former World Footballer of the Year, and Justine Pasek, Ms. Universe 2002, attended the ceremony at FAO headquarters, along with other dignitaries from the world of football, including representatives from seven of EPFL's member leagues.
Oct 15 2008 12:10PM
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