UFRGS, UFG, and UFSC formalize their membership, becoming the first federal universities to join the Alliance 

In a landmark move to combat hunger and poverty in Brazil and globally, three of the country’s leading federal universities — the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), the Federal University of Goiás (UFG), and the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC) — have formalized their membership in the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty. These are the first federal universities in Brazil to join the initiative, which already includes other academic institutions such as Brazil’s Getúlio Vargas Foundation, the University of Buenos Aires (UBA) in Argentina, and the University of Oxford through the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI). 

The participation of the federal universities in the Global Alliance will take place within the knowledge pillar, one of the three core axes of the initiative. This pillar involves providing technical assistance, capacity building, and training through knowledge sharing in response to requests from member countries of the Global Alliance. The universities have also committed to aligning their actions, including through the coordination mechanisms of the Global Alliance, leveraging existing partnerships, and establishing new collaborations with other stakeholders to better support the implementation of policies and programs at the national level. 

In the case of Brazil, the idea is that universities can assist in the Brazil Without Hunger Plan and the Poverty Reduction Plan, according to the Minister of Social Development, Assistance, Family, and Hunger Combating (MDS), Wellington Dias. 

The Rector of the Federal University of Goiás (UFG), Angelita Pereira de Lima, emphasized the institution’s commitment to the Brazilian plan to combat hunger. “I would like to reaffirm our commitment to joining the Alliance: to place the university’s knowledge and workforce at the disposal, articulating them with the guidelines of the Brazilian plan to combat hunger,” she declared. 

Contributions 

UFG has a history of working to combat hunger and poverty, with projects focused on school feeding, strengthening family farming, and developing technologies to reduce inequalities and food insecurity. 

Meanwhile, the Rector of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Márcia Cristina Bernardes Barbosa, advocated for a central role of universities in analyzing public policies. “Universities need to delve deeper into the core of important data. In this way, we can look back and say: ‘these policies generated these results’ or ‘these young people from Bolsa Família are now in different scenarios’,” she stated. 

UFRGS brings to the Alliance expertise in research on the Sociology of Rural Development and Agro-Food Studies. Additionally, the university stands out for the scientific and technological work of its Faculties of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, focused on efficient and sustainable food production. 

“The idea is to establish a group of academic cooperation, not only to enable and try to inject enthusiasm into these initiatives, uniting universities and the ministry, but also to go further, coordinating the MDS processes and establishing alliances with universities around the world,” explained the MDS Legal Consultant, João Paulo Santos. 

The Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), represented by Rector Irineu Manoel de Souza and Professor Cristiane Derani from the Law Department, is considered a reference in research on food security, sustainable food production, ecological restoration, and environmental conservation, with a focus on biodiversity and climate protection. The university is also a pioneer in collaborating with local producers, as exemplified by its internationally recognized work in the production of oyster broodstock and the transfer of technologies for sustainable food production. 

Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty

The initiative aims to eradicate hunger and poverty by 2030, reduce inequalities, and contribute to revitalized global partnerships for sustainable development. It prioritizes inclusive and just transitions, ensuring that no one is left behind. 

The Alliance operates through three main pillars – national, financial, and knowledge  – designed to mobilize and coordinate resources for evidence-based policies adapted to the realities of each member country. Although the G20 was the launchpad for the initiative, the Alliance will function as an independent global platform, with the ongoing support and possible impetus of future G20 presidencies.