Belizean Parliamentarians are leading the charge towards realizing the goal of Zero Hunger in Belize

Valerie Woods

Zero hunger is United Nations Sustainable Development Goals number two. Belizean Parliamentarians are leading the charge towards realizing this goal in Belize. The group, known as the Belize Parliamentary Alliance against Hunger and Malnutrition, or Parliamentary Champions, met at the House of Culture in Belize City today. Their mission is to introduce the Alliance song, featuring prominent Belizean artists and share vegetable seedlings. Today’s meeting also included discussion on the accomplishments of 2021 and future endeavours. We spoke to Speaker of the House Valerie Woods about why Parliamentarians felt the need to get involved with combating hunger.

Valerie Woods, Speaker of the House

“Remember it is legislature at the end of the day. They are the ones that will affect policy and legislation. They are the ones that can advocate that the national budget ensures that there is always some allocation for school feeding, and that it is not reduced. Parliamentarians can advocate for example investment that comes in or some loan agreement; there can be some agreement where a portion is always set aside towards the ending of hunger and malnutrition because it is such a costly event. So, your Parliamentarians are a critical component, for the lack of a better term, to effect change. They do it by coming together in a bi-partisan manner on things that they will not disagree on. We will work together, as a group of legislators, to promote the activities and initiative that will end or work towards ending hunger and malnutrition of our children.”

Each Parliamentary Champion in attendance received vegetable seedlings to distribute to their communities. Over two hundred seedlings were handed over at today’s event.