We believe in the power of an individual to influence their own life - and the lives of people around them. This can look like protest, politics, and social transformation, but it can also look like celebration. 

At The Hunger Project we have 10 principles that guide our work to end hunger. We challenge ourselves to ensure that each of our innovative strategies builds on these principles. In preparation for this holiday season, we challenge you to consider which of these principles can guide your holidays. We have some ideas to get you started below! 

1. Empowerment.

The people we work with globally are empowered to ending their own hunger. But, as investors, we often leave ourselves out of the empowerment conversation. Listen to yourself and your passion. What issue or cause speaks to you? Take an action step towards doing something about it! Volunteer. Donate. Advocate.

The Principle Explained: In the face of social suppression, focused and sustained action is required to awaken people to the possibility of self-reliance, to build confidence, and to organize communities to take charge of their own development.

2. Social Transformation.

Make an investment as a gift for a person in your life who values social transformation and introduce them to a new cause that you can share. Ndeye’s story is an incredible story of personal, economic, and social transformation.

The Principle Explained: People’s self-reliance is suppressed by conditions such as corruption, armed conflict, racism and the subjugation of women. These are all rooted in an age-old and nearly universal patriarchal mindset that must be transformed as part of a fundamental shift in the way society is organized.

3. Holistic Approach.

Our approach is holistic - taking into consideration the complex nature of hunger. Consider your household from this perspective. Do a holistic inventory of the previous year. This is a great place to start for creating sustainable new years’ resolutions.

The Principle Explained: Hunger is inextricably linked to a nexus of issues including decent work, health, education, environmental sustainability and social justice. Only in solving these together will any of them be solved on a sustainable basis.

4. Decentralization.

Cuddle up by a fire, near some twinkly lights, and read this article with an open heart to really understand the transformational power of decentralizing food systems.

The Principle Explained: Individual and community ownership of local development is critical. Actions are most successful if decisions are made close to the people. This requires effective national and local government working in partnership with the people.

5. Transformative Leadership.

Ask yourself, “What can I do? What am I capable of?”. Your unique passions and skills can be applied to any cause you’re passionate about. And this is where transformational leadership lives. Advocate for the end of hunger. Fundraise from your friends. Make an investment. This is heart-centred leadership.

The Principle Explained: Ending hunger requires a new kind of leadership: not top-down, authority-based leadership, but leadership that awakens people to their own power — leadership “with” people rather than leadership “over” people. Hunger is primarily a human issue, and ending hunger requires principles that are consistent with our shared humanity.

Celebrate this holiday season by living into your values. Which principle are you bringing to your holiday season?