From archbishopofcanterbury.org

Watch Archbishop Justin's video message for the launch of the IF campaign against hunger  

The Archbishop of Canterbury has spoken out in support of a campaign encouraging world leaders to tackle hunger, saving the millions of lives it claims each year.

Archbishop Justin spoke via video to thousands gathered in Hyde Park today to launch the IF campaign, of which the Church of England is a member. The IF campaign is made up of more than 200 charities, faith groups and organisations. The campaign is urging G8 leaders to take big steps that will tackle the global injustice of hunger. 

He said: “We’ve come to celebrate the opportunity we have to end hunger in our lifetimes. The only way that’s going to happen is by mass movements of people, like yourselves, getting together”. 

At the rally, featuring a range of inspirational speakers, a symbol created with children’s spinning flowers was a powerful reminder of the two million children who die of hunger each year. 

The Archbishop said we can celebrate the fact that in the UK we commit 0.7% of our national income to foreign aid. But he added: “I encourage you, keep the pressure on. We can change the world in our own lives.”

'Self-sustaining'

Earlier in the day Archbishop Justin addressed an ecumenical church service at Methodist Central Hall via video to mark the commitment of the faith communities to ending hunger.

“In many parts of the world, the churches are the most effective networks, through which generosity from other people can be used most effectively and without actually displacing or diminishing the work of the people on the ground locally - local people developing their own countries,” he said.

In the message he reflected on issues of aid, tax and transparency on the G8 agenda, concluding: “My prayer would be that in this country and across the world, that we are deeply committed to enabling people to be self-sustaining, so that global hunger can be ended in our lifetimes.”

The events in London began the IF campaign journey to the G8 Summit at Enniskillen, Northern Ireland.