The Role of Faith Actors in Tackling Food Loss and Waste: A Global Dialogue
Faith-based organizations and communities have a significant impact on food systems, influencing practices from production to consumption. Their extensive grassroots networks, moral authority, and commitment to social justice place them in a unique position to address food security, promote sustainable diets, and reduce food loss and waste.
In Rwanda, recent initiatives have explored the potential of faith-based organizations to combat food loss and waste. In a country where approximately 40 percent of the food supply is lost annually, faith-based organizations are deeply embedded in Rwandan society, managing 30 percent of the nation’s health facilities and 75 percent of schools—key sectors engaged in food systems. The working paper, "The Role of Faith-Based Organisations in Tackling Food Loss and Waste in Rwanda: A Preliminary Study," highlights some innovative approaches and successes of these organizations. However, it also reveals critical gaps in awareness, skills, and capacity for faith actors to engage more effectively in food loss and waste.
Globally, faith actors have made notable strides in tackling food loss and waste. The Interreligious Council of Kenya has initiated community-based projects that address food waste and promote sustainable practices. The Jesuit European Social Centre has been active in advocating for and implementing food loss and waste reduction strategies across Europe. In Indonesia, research has shown Islamic teachings and religiosity have an influence on household food waste practices.
The intersection of faith and food loss and waste is a critical area for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to zero hunger, responsible consumption and production, and climate action. By leveraging their unique strengths, faith-based organizations can contribute to addressing food loss and waste to promote just, sustainable, and resilient communities.
This webinar aims to deepen understanding of the role faith-based organizations can play in addressing food loss and waste, both in Rwanda and globally. By sharing successful case studies and discussing barriers and solutions, the webinar will foster new partnerships and strengthen collaborations among faith communities, NGOs, government agencies, and the private sector. Participants will gain actionable insights into how faith-based approaches can be integrated into food loss and waste reduction efforts, promoting sustainable food systems and climate resilience.
Speakers:
- Dr. Robert Mbeche, Food Director, WRI Africa
- Dr. Sophia Sanniti, Research Associate, WRI Faith and Sustainability
- Carrick Reddin, Manager, WRI Faith and Sustainability
- Wilson Kabagamba, Director of Programmes, African Evangelistic Enterprise (AEE) Rwanda
- Antony Blaize, Program Officer, Environment and Climate Change, Interreligious Council of Kenya
- Dr. Husna Ahmad, CEO, Global One 2015; Professor, Department of Theology and Religion, University of Birmingham
Projects
Faith and Sustainability
Visit ProjectSupporting faith-based sustainability projects and enabling faith-based communities to build capacity for community-level solutions.
Part of Equity & GovernanceFood Loss & Waste Protocol
Launch PlatformLaunch Platform Visit ProjectAddressing the challenges of quantifying food loss and waste.
Part of Food