We are all citizens of the same planet, a planet of diversity, a planet of different peoples and of different cultures beliefs and convictions. My conviction however is that we are all global citizens, and therefore we all have global responsibilities.

People of different faiths from around the world practise some form or other for spiritual reflection on life, or practice some form of self-deprivation or other. In the Christian faith it is called Lent while in Islamic faith it is called Ramadan. This is a period during which one looks deep inside one’s soul, and a time of preparation to be reborn within, to live a better life even. At the end of this period of reflection, Christians celebrate Easter, Muslims celebrate Eid while Buddhist monks celebrate Khao Phunsa.

Different cultures, different beliefs but one singular intention. This is what makes us all global citizens. So at this time of reflecting on the way we are living our lives, we should really be looking at our lives as global citizens, and our responsibilities towards our fellow global citizens. This is because most of the western world going hungry of its own volition is a once-a-year celebration of their faith as a celebration of life, but for hundreds of millions of our unfortunate global citizens, it is merely another day of mandatory suffering, misery and deprived living until their death.

My point is that, as global citizens, we should be ensuring that our global responsibilities come to bear on our lives, on our representatives, on our institutions, on our politicians and yes, even on our political parties whichever they may be. We must realise that it is time to pay the piper. Therefore I ask – What are you going to do about it? I ask you to also ask yourselves: How am I going to make a difference that will make the world a better place for those less fortunate?

This is not about faith, it is not about politics – it is about life, about responsibility and compassion for our fellow global citizens. I leave you with the following quote to ponder over: it is the first goal of the Millennium Development Goals that governments around the globe have committed themselves to achieve. Then I ask you to question your leaders in your country and ask what they have done on your behalf to achieve this basic human right. Next I ask you also to ponder on whether you are satisfied with that performance, indeed question whether your leaders have in fact honoured the commitments they made to the world on your behalf. If you are not satisfied with your leaders’ performance, then do not let it rest on your own conscientious spirit, and do something about it now. Let us save lives and offer hope to those less fortunate because despite our fellow citizens being born in a deprived and depressed area of civilization, this should not equate to committal to a life of misery in which their only surety is death by hunger.

Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

The number of hungry people in the world remains unacceptably high despite expected recent gains that have pushed the figure below one billion. FAO estimated that the number of people who would suffer from chronic hunger in 2010 was 925 million.

FAO focuses on poverty and hunger reduction by improving agricultural productivity and incomes and promoting better nutritional practices at all levels and programmes that enhance direct and immediate access to food by the most needy. FAO helps developing countries to improve agriculture, forestry and fisheries practices, to sustainably manage their forests, fisheries and natural resources and ensure good nutrition for all. FAO promotes greater investment in agriculture and rural development and has assisted governments to establish National Programmes for Food Security aimed at smallholder farmers. In emergency response and rehabilitation efforts, FAO’s expertise in farming, livestock, fisheries and forestry is crucial. FAO works quickly to restore agricultural production, strengthen the survival strategies of those affected, and enable people to reduce their dependence on food aid. FAO also plays a crucial role in prevention, preparedness and early warning.

Now that you have read this with responsibility and commitment, let me know what you are going to do about it, indeed what we can do about it. Are you satisfied with knowing that one billion global citizens are suffering chronic hunger? That one billion global citizens wake up each day to no breakfast, suffer the excruciating pangs of hunger at lunchtime, and look forward to the misery of no supper, each and every day. Are you satisfied with that? – I am not, and I refuse to let our politicians shirk our global responsibility and claim progress on our behalf. If you, like me, share this sentiment and belief, let us together present a united force to confront our leaders with their indifference and inaction.

Let us all make a personal and collective commitment by taking an oath – hand on heart that, “We shall no longer sit back and let our responsibility be evaded by indifference, be responsible for the unnecessary death of our own global citizens because together we can make the difference and we promise to make that difference happen, and to make it happen now.”

If you are ready to start making that difference, join this initiative, and start making the difference now by writing to: [email protected] to enrol.

MP Noel Farrugia is in the process of setting up a Global NGO to make that difference happen, so write to [email protected] now to pledge your support and offer your ideas on how you feel that together we could save one billion citizens from hunger. All creeds, cultures, and participants from around the globe are welcome