Walk the World

“End Hunger. Walk the World” is an annual event to raise awareness for the problem of child hunger and funds for WFP's (World Food Programme) school meals programmes.

Walk the World is a joint effort between the United Nations World Food Programme and its partners, led by TNT, Unilever and DSM. Employees from these companies walk with WFP Goodwill Ambassadors, staff, and beneficiaries as well as government and NGO partners to show their solidarity in the fight against hunger and malnutrition. Since its inception, the Walk has mobilised about two million people across 24 time zones around the globe.

Upcoming event

In 2010, Walk the World is on 6 June. Anyone can join a Walk event in one of the countries where it is organised by WFP and the Global Partners.

History

22 June 2003 Over 4,000 TNT N.V. employees in nine Asian countries walked a distance of over 20,000 km for Moving the World - the equivalent of half way around the world. Once TNT's corporate matching funds had been added to the donations raised by the employees that day, over €60,000 had been generated for WFP.

20 June 2004 Based on the success in Asia, TNT N.V. organised the global walk again, dubbed it Fight Hunger: Walk the World and invited WFP staff as well as their own staff and families to join.

Over 40.000 participants.
205 walks in 73 countries on 6 continents and in 24 time zones, covering 200,000 km, taking them 5 times around the globe.
The event raised € 750,000.
25,000 school children fed and educated for a year.

12 June 2005

Over 200,000 participants.
91 countries, 266 cities, and all 24 time zones.
€1.2 million raised.
70,000 children fed and educated for a year.

21 May 2006

760,000 participants
118 countries
€ 780,000 raised by TNT N.V. employees
31,000 children fed and educated for a year

13 May 2007

Over 550.000 participants
More than 300 Walks in 93 countries
Second Life, the virtual internet community, attracted 500 people to take part in a virtual Walk
€ 800,000 raised
25.000 children fed and educated for a year

1 June 2008

250,000 participants
280 locations in 70 countries
Over US$1 million raised
20,000 children fed and educated for a year

7 June 2009

360,000 participants
210 locations in 68 countries
Over US$1 million raised
20,000 children fed and educated for a year

Internet

http://walktheworld.wfp.org/

External News Articles

Walk the World raises WFP funds (BBC, David Loyn, May 31st 2008).
End Hunger: Walk the World 2008 (World Food Programme).
The World is Walking: 13 May 2007(WFP press release)
Global walk: leaders and communities join to stamp out child hunger (World Food Programme, May 14th 2007).
June 1: Global walk to end child hunger (WFP press release, 2008).

References

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