Eat of the Good Things
Are you interested in issues of ethical food production and the environment?
Do you want to improve your leadership and campaigning skills?
Do you want to be an ambassador for change in your community, combating issues of global food injustice and inspiring others to also take action?
Welcome to the ‘Eat of the Good Things’ project!
Eat of the Good Things is an exciting new project to provide an opportunity for young Muslims to connect with issues of food production and the environment as well as being trained to take leadership roles in your communities, build campaigning networks and inspire others to take action.
Did you know that:
- Nearly 1 billion people face hunger every day
- A quarter of all food bought by consumers in rich countries goes to waste
- Between 1983 and 2006, rich countries’ support to their own agricultural sectors shot to over $250bn a year – that’s 79 times as much as their agricultural aid to developing countries
- Over the next 60 years, climate change could cause a 50% decline in food yields in countries like Sudan and Senegal.
What will the volunteers be doing?
- Monthly practical sessions at Spitalfields City Farm (and other farms such as an organic halal farm) to learn about issues of food production
- Learning about Islamic teachings about environment, food production, animal welfare, health and sustainable living
- Skills-based training including leadership, team work and campaigning
- Connecting with young people in other countries such as Bangladesh and Tanzania through a web conference and social media to share ideas and learn about how these issues affect them
- The chance to hold an event during Ramadan to engage with the Muslim community about issues of food
- Organising a publicity stunt for World Food Day in October 2011
- Developing and running your own 3 month mini-project on an area related to food and environment which reflects your own interests; you’ll be connecting with similar networks and groups, mosques, community organisations and the media
- Gaining a silver Volunteer Achievement Award (VAA) which promotes individual personal development