AgResults announcement puts Canada at the forefront of food security, nutrition and innovation

LOS CABOS, Mexico, June 18, 2012 /CNW/ - Today Prime Minister Harper joined UK Prime Minister Cameron and Australia Prime Minister Gillard to announce funding for innovative food security pilots that will increase private sector investment. Both Prime Minister's Harper and Cameron commented strongly during the press conference on the importance of nutrition in this work. With 925 million people in the world who don't have enough nutritious food to eat, this is a small step in the right direction.

World Vision's food security expert, Sheri Arnott, says:

"We are extremely pleased that Canada has brought development issues to the G20 table today with this announcement and has not allowed the Euro zone crisis to completely sideline the discussions about other pressing global issues. By including elements of nutrition in this new Canada-led initiative, they are continuing to link together food security and child and maternal health. Because of this, today's announcement has the strong potential to be a complement to the goals of the Muskoka Initiative."

"For children and families around the world who are counting on the G20 to step up and address their lack of enough nutritious food, this announcement by Canada, the UK and Australia is a step in the right direction. Canada has continually led on food security—being the first G8 country to deliver on L'Aquila food security pledges and responding quickly to the food crisis in West Africa with a $41 million commitment."

"A critical element of the AgResults work is the focus and attention these countries are giving to hidden hunger and the global scandal of 170 million stunted children whose futures are threatened. However these children must become a greater priority."

"The first round of pilot activities focuses on maize—and one of them has the potential to directly impact child nutrition. The results of this initiative will be seen over the long term: In the short term, Canada should continue to champion global support for proven nutrition solutions that need to be urgently scaled up to reach the most vulnerable children and families."

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.

Media contact in Los Cabos:
Tiffany Baggetta, World Vision Canada
416-305-9612
[email protected]