By Wilson Nabiimpa, November 2024.
Introduction
Hunger on the Hill participants gathered on Parliament Hill, including Saskatoon-based Wilson Nabiimpa third from left.
Wilson lives in Saskatoon and represented the United Church at the annual advocacy and awareness day, Hunger on the Hill, held with Members of Parliament in Ottawa and hosted by the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB). Hunger on the Hill is a 4-day advocacy training event, where volunteers from across Canada come to Ottawa to learn about issues surrounding global food security, and engage with Members of Parliament to advocate for a world without hunger, inviting both their awareness and their accountability.
Wilson has connections with St Martin’s United Church in Saskatoon and its support for a program in his homeland, Uganda. He holds a Master of Science in Climate Change and Food Security, a certificate in Farmers Leadership and Extension Services, and has international experience in climate-smart agriculture innovation, household food security, and livelihood development. A member of the Rotary Club of Saskatoon, he has also done capacity building at the Ugandan Cultural Community of the Prairie youth summer camp. And he has volunteered and participated in harvesting with Grow Hope Saskatchewan, another important project of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank in which United Church farmers are always invited to participate.
Below is his reflection on the day, and some photos kindly sent by CFGB. Wilson is always happy to come and speak to your community of faith, UCW meeting, Cluster meeting, and more, bringing with him his experience with Hunger on the Hill, and with the increasingly urgent issue of the impact of climate change on agriculture around the world. Please contact him through the Living Skies office.
Wilson Nambiipa’s reflection
Wilson Nabiimpa with his Hunger on the Hill team, including a farmer from Ontario, Canadian Foodgrains Bank’s Director of Communications, and a supporter from Nova Scotia.
At Hunger on the Hill 2024, I discovered how one can be an advocate for change, and learned how to effectively communicate with elected officials about global hunger.
I was humbled to represent Saskatchewan, and I could relate to the topics we were discussing as I have worked with famers in Uganda under ministry of Agriculture Animal Industry and Fisheries. It was good to see the kind of teamwork we had as a group and have one common goal.
I learned how to initiate, approach and invite a Member of Parliament, and had one on one conversations which were fundamental. I didn’t realize MPs were very free to share, and friendly. I was impressed how the MPs were engaging in discussions, and they were very interested in learning more about how to end hunger. I got a chance to share with an MP who told me she is from Burundi and she appreciated the role of Canadian Foodgrains Bank in East Africa.
Hunger on the Hill participant Wilson Nabiimpa with his Member of Parliament, Kevin Waugh, representing the riding of Saskatoon Grasswood.
Some local MPs that I shared with were advocating for an inclusive approach (Kevin Waugh and Brad Redekopp). Some MPs I shared with were advising that faith- based organisations should help the legislature to move forward and advocate for climate finance. Some MPs suggested that CFGB should create more relationships, messaging, provide more materials for staff and partners in gaining more experience in fundraising.
I am very determined to promote and advocate for the global hunger through institutions like Global Institute for Food Security, as well as other organisations within Saskatchewan and beyond. Through my participation, I learnt more about how climate change, gender inequality and food insecurity are connected to our food systems in the Global South.
It was a humbling experience for me given that I am new to Canada, and having this kind of exposure was a life-changing moment. My overall experience was amazing and I look forward to more events if I am given the opportunity to participate.
