The 1billionhungry project is a petition campaign launched to call attention to the fact that there are 1 billion people around the world who suffer from hunger, and to urge people to demand action from politicians and policymakers.
British actor Jeremy Irons appears in a short video for the campaign, echoing Peter Finch’s 1976 performance in the film “Network” by calling on people to get “mad as hell” about global hunger and to do something about it.
The UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) launched the project in Rome on Tuesday, inviting individuals and organizations to hold events and spread the word via online social networking to promote the petition campaign. According to an FAO press release, “In Yokohama, for example, home of the UN food agencies in Japan, banners have been erected over major landmarks. In Paris, students and NGO supporters of the campaign gathered in front of the Eiffel Tower wearing t-shirts and blowing whistles.”
Many celebrities are also supporting the campaign including U.S. Olympic athlete Carl Lewis, French soccer player Patrick Vieira; as well as recording artists Anggun, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Dionne Warwick, Fanny Lu, Mory Kanté Noa, and Chucho Valdés.
