Joining forces for all the children of the world
By Francesca Merlo
There is no initiative aimed at protecting and empowering children that is not based on a common love, a love that transcends all borders, all policies and all ideologies. This was the underlying and uniting theme that rang out at the International Summit on Children鈥檚 Rights, hosted by 杏MAP导航 Francis. On Monday, 3 February 2025, the Vatican鈥檚 Clementine Hall gathered advocates, policymakers, and representatives of grassroots organisations who work tirelessly to ensure that children everywhere are assured the dignity, protection, and care that is inherent in every life.
The many aspects of the future of a child
Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, Founder and CEO of Mary鈥檚 Meals, a global initiative that has transformed the lives of millions of children in some of the world鈥檚 poorest nations by providing them with a daily meal in their place of education, was one of the speakers at the event. Reflecting on the many insights that were offered throughout the day, and on the richness and variety of perspectives shared during the Summit, he noted that, 鈥渁t times, it seemed we were coming from so many different places, but at the heart of it all is just our love for the child鈥�. There are so many aspects to be considered when striving to ensure that a child grows, flourishes, and is protected. Different panels at the summit focused on all of these: from family and healthcare to education and nutrition. And these aspects are encapsulated in that one single, simple, meal provided by Mary鈥檚 Meals.
In an interview with Vatican News, MacFarlane-Barrow highlighted that 鈥渢he first thing we do is meet the immediate need of hunger. But Mary鈥檚 Meals is never just about food - it is always linked to education.鈥�
He recalled his most recent visit to Malawi, just one week ago, in which a child chatting to him at school spoke about how during his classes before the feeding programme was implemented, he felt too weak to even hold his pencil.
鈥淗unger is just this evil thing鈥� MacFarlane-Barrow said. He described the physical and psychological effects of malnutrition: weakness, stunted growth, the inability to focus. All these, he said, can shape a child鈥檚 entire future. 鈥淗aving a good meal a day changes that鈥�.
Food for family
The Summit focused on so many more aspects that are relevant to a child's life and wellbeing, some, MacFarlane-Barrow stressed, 鈥淚 cannot even pretend to begin to understand鈥�. A father himself, he spoke of the anguish a parent must feel not knowing how they will feed their child tomorrow. Many parents he has met feel powerless and unable to guide or discipline their children when they cannot even provide them with a meal.
鈥淚鈥檝e had fathers tell me, 鈥楬ow can I speak to my children about their behaviour if I can鈥檛 even feed them? What respect do they have for me?鈥� The anguish of that father is a terrible thing.鈥�
In many ways, the simple act of feeding a child also restores dignity to families, offering parents a sense of security, a chance to hope again. 鈥淲hen a parent knows their child is being fed at school, it lifts a huge burden,鈥� MacFarlane-Barrow said. 鈥淚t gives them the space to focus on other things - to work, to plan for the future, to simply be a family.鈥�
Action on all levels
Reflecting on the testimonies of people from areas of conflict, MacFarlane-Barrow admitted that there are many challenges that Mary鈥檚 Meals faces when operating in areas where wars are fought. 鈥淥f course, there are huge challenges - logistics, safety鈥�, he says, 鈥渂ut we work through local communities and partners who stay no matter what.鈥�
This highlights another focus of the Summit that gathered voices from both grassroots initiatives and institutional policy-making. While Mary鈥檚 Meals operates at the most direct, practical level, MacFarlane-Barrow acknowledged the vital role of systemic change. 鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 be one to influence policy,鈥� he admitted, 鈥渂ut thank God there are people doing that. It鈥檚 really important that we work at every level.鈥� One, he added, cannot go without the other.
A meal as a sign of peace
Even in extreme realities such as Yemen, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Haiti, in which children are growing up amidst violence, MacFarlane-Barrow stressed that their mission remains unchanged: one daily meal, always tied to education. 鈥淭hat can be so important in times of conflict - to get children back into the classroom as quickly as possible so they don鈥檛 lose years of schooling.鈥�
鈥淭he simple presence of a meal in a place of learning can be a small but powerful act of peace,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t tells a child: you are not forgotten, your future matters.鈥� It鈥檚 a sign of hope: 鈥淢y favourite word!鈥� he adds.
Endless hope
While some attendees expressed concern that summits such as these might end in empty promises, MacFarlane-Barrow left the gathering with hope. 鈥淚 was really amazed when 杏MAP导航 Francis announced he would write a new Apostolic Exhortation on this theme. That alone will have an enormous impact.鈥�
He concluded by highglighting that beyond policy talk, deeply human connections were forged in the room. 鈥淢eeting others doing incredible work, sharing stories, learning from each other. That in itself is invaluable,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ecause at the end of the day, no single organisation, no single policy, can solve this alone. But together, we can create something powerful.鈥�
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