STORY-TRÅD·noje
UN: Innovation to address food crisis is focus of event in Brazil
On Friday (Oct. 16), World Food Day, the United Nations (UN) will organize an event in Brazil’s capital, Brasília, featuring video screenings in the city center and on digital platforms. Under the theme “Innovate Today to Nourish Tomorrow,” the campaign will transform CONIC - Brasília’s oldest commercial and cultural center - into a giant screen to showcase an institutional video demonstrating how innovation can make agri-food systems sustainable, inclusive, and resilient. Notícias relacionadas:Brazil’s Agricultural Research Company named Reference Center by FAO.UN: Brazil remains off Hunger Map.According to Jorge Meza, a representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), innovation should be understood in a broader sense. “Innovation isn’t just about investing in cutting-edge technology. It also means finding new ways to apply traditional knowledge, sharing experiences, connecting different forms of knowledge, and building solutions tailored to local realities.” Cartoon On digital platforms, initiatives aimed at children include a cartoon featuring the character José Totoy, “the Big Eater,” and a campaign displaying messages from the character on buildings and street signs. Through a playful and accessible message, José Totoy addresses the challenges of hunger and poor nutrition in a fun and engaging story. The Brazilian character, known for his colorful smile and for growing his own food, was chosen as a Food Hero and FAO Champion. The campaign is the result of a partnership with Totoy Corp., the character’s creator. Meza explains that the campaign aims to engage children and families with topics related to food, nutrition, and sustainable development. “Children are especially receptive to learning and developing values, and they will be the future decision-makers who shape our agri-food systems and the planet,” he notes. Reach With content available in more than 30 languages on streaming platforms and YouTube, José Totoy has garnered over 50 million followers across his global network of channels, whose videos have amassed up to 26 billion views. André Vaz, creator of the character and the Brazilian cartoon and co-founder of Totoy Corp., expressed his satisfaction at being part of this globally significant project featuring José Totoy. “This partnership recognizes the care we devote to our stories and allows us to help ensure that nutrition becomes part of children’s lives from an early age,” he says. The cartoon will be available on both Totoy’s YouTube channel and the digital platforms of the FAO campaign’s partners: the World Food Programme (WFP), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA). Versions in Portuguese, Spanish, and English will be available on YouTube, reaching approximately 190 countries.