People in the Isle of Man are being invited to support a beach vigil at Peel on Sunday 16th June in support of the Enough Food IF campaign to end global hunger.
The date has been chosen as it is the eve of the G8 summit which takes place in Northern Ireland on 17th and 18th June. UK Prime Minister David Cameron is host at the summit and will call on the G8 members to tackle the hunger crisis around the world. Peel Beach was chosen as it faces Northern Ireland.
Organisers hope to light up a giant IF symbol on the beach using 800 tea-lights and attendees are asked to bring a suitable container with them to stop them blowing out!
The event will begin at 20.00 with a beach barbeque (bring your own food). From 22.00 to 24.00 there will be readings, silence and reflection with a midnight finale taking place around the lighted candles.
The IF campaign demonstrates that there is enough food for everyone in the world IF:
• We give aid to stop children dying from hunger and help the poor to have enough food to live.
• We stop poor farmers being forced off their land and we grow crops to provide food not fuel.
• We stop companies dodging taxes in poor countries so millions can be freed from hunger.
• Governments and companies are honest and transparent about their role in the food system.
Rosemary Clarke, director of the One World Centre, said “Although the Isle of Man is not represented at the G8, this is a chance for us to demonstrate solidarity with major nations and call for action to help stop 1 in 8 people in the world going to bed hungry every night.
“With Northern Ireland just across the water from the Isle of Man, a beach vigil seemed an appropriate way to show our support as well as giving people here an opportunity to think about how fortunate we are compared to others in the world.
”We’d like to thank Peel Commissioners for allowing us to hold the event on one of the closest beaches to where the summit is taking place.”
For more details contact the One World Centre on 800464 or by emailing info@owciom.org. In the event of adverse weather on the night, please check the One World Centre website on www.oneworldcentreiom.org from 17.30.
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Photo caption: The Isle of Man Enough Food If campaign logo