The actress is the primary Filipina to carry the excellence from the United Nations World Meals Programme
MANILA, Philippines – On World Humanitarian Day on Tuesday, August 19, the United Nations World Meals Programme (WFP) named KC Concepcion as its new Goodwill Ambassador, making her the primary Filipina to carry the excellence.
She joins WFP’s distinguished roster of worldwide ambassadors, which incorporates Kate Hudson, Michael Kors, and Son Heung-min.
Throughout the ceremonial signing occasion held on the WFP Philippines headquarters in Mandaluyong Metropolis, the actress expressed her gratitude to the group, sharing how a lot she appears as much as the trigger.
“There’s no different org such as you. The way in which that you just work with the federal government is such an admirable factor, additionally as a result of it exhibits that you just belief that the federal government can exit and do what we want for this nation,” she stated.
WFP Philippines Consultant and Nation Director Regis Chapman lauded Concepcion’s dedication in aligning with the group’s mission of bettering lives.
“KC is a family identify that many Filipinos know and admire, however past the highlight, she has lengthy been a passionate advocate for humanitarian causes,” Chapman stated.
Concepcion reminisced about her recollections with the group, shared insights about taking over the position, and defined her advocacy, which explores the connection between agriculture and schooling.
A longstanding dedication
It was in 2008 when KC first made ties with WFP because the Nationwide Ambassador Towards Starvation. Throughout this time, she made it her purpose to assist the group “make starvation an even bigger problem, in order that it’s seen as necessary as poverty and AIDS.”
Past elevating consciousness, she additionally actively joined outreach applications in conflict-affected communities in Mindanao, in addition to international missions in Uganda and Nepal. These experiences formed her perspective on the devastating results of starvation.
On the onset of the pandemic, Concepcion went overseas to deal with her research and construct her personal enterprise. However even all through her break from WFP, she saved her humanitarian mission alive.
Past utilizing her social media platforms to boost consciousness, she additionally raised funds to supply sizzling meals to high school kids by persevering with her social enterprise with WFP known as KC’s Closet, a round vogue enterprise that sells secondhand luxurious objects.
“It takes a village to run these applications, nevertheless it solely takes one voice to maintain the advocacy alive. KC’s Closet was my means of constructing certain that kids’s meals remained on the coronary heart of my work,” she defined.
The actress and entrepreneur now returns to WFP with a stronger ardour to proceed her trigger, together with her key goal to empower native farmers within the nation whereas championing common entry to high school meals within the Philippines.
“I waited 5 years for this second. It’s so heartwarming to be again with such an completed and admirable humanitarian company. I’ve seen your work everywhere in the world, however nothing compares to serving my very own nation,” she stated.
Feeding minds, not simply bellies
Concepcion firmly believes that poor diet instantly impacts studying. She cited the World Financial institution’s report on the studying disaster within the Philippines, which reported that 9 out of 10 Filipino college students aren’t proficient in studying.
“A giant a part of that’s as a result of there’s nothing to eat in class. And if there’s, it’s not a nutritious meal,” she stated.
This alarming case strengthened her resolve to combine agriculture and schooling, as she believes that regionally grown seasonal produce is the very best supply of vitamins that our our bodies want, particularly for college students.
Concepcion additionally known as for the modification of Republic Act No. 11037 or the Masustansyang Pagkain para sa Batang Pilipino Act, which is the federal government’s major coverage on faculty feeding.
Though she trusts within the effectiveness of the act, she hopes that it could possibly be expanded to feed all college students.
“I hope all of the youth, not simply these focused as wasted, can get correct diet. As a result of this month, they may not be thought of wasted based mostly on their goal research or evaluation. However after a couple of months, they is likely to be there,” she defined.
Together with her renewed position as a WFP Goodwill Ambassador, Concepcion hopes to push these insurance policies additional and be certain that all kids acquire entry to correct diet in faculties.
“As a Filipino, I’m honored to have the ability to do that work. I’ve seen how faculty meals remodel lives, turning kids into medical doctors, lecturers, and leaders. This isn’t only a feeding program — it’s an schooling and welfare program that can form generations to return,” she stated. – Rappler.com
