May I extend my very best wishes to all those who will be participating in this weekend’s Global Solidarity Run, organised by Sanctuary Runners in order to bring people together around the world in solidarity with all those who are forcibly displaced and all those living in extreme poverty.
The recent Oxfam report, ‘Food Wars: Conflict, Hunger and Globalization’, has highlighted the extreme toll which is being taken on too many of the world’s population by the interlocking crises which we are facing as an international community.
In particular, the Oxfam report highlights the link between displacement, hunger and conflict. As we this week marked World Food Day, it is striking how often the connection between these issues is entirely absent from some of the discourse at the highest levels.
Indeed, current projections, as reported in the Global Hunger Index 2024 published last week by Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe, have found that it would take another 136 years to eliminate global hunger at the present rate of tackling the problem.
Against this background, the attention which all those taking part in the Global Solidarity Run are bringing to these issues is particularly welcome.
As President of Ireland, may I send my very best wishes to each and every one of you participating in 40 locations across Ireland, as well as across every continent.
Whether you are running, jogging or walking, the solidarity which you have and continue to show not just to each other, but to all those forcibly displaced or living in extreme poverty across our shared planet is an example of the solidarity which is needed at all levels if we are to create the world based on humanitarian values – of a new connection between economy, social justice and ecology – which we all wish to see.
Beir beannacht,
Michael D. Higgins
Uachtaráin na hÉireann
President of Ireland