Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Peru

USIL´s alliances and leaderships against hunger

The food crisis is a global problem. According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), more than half of the Peruvian population does not have access to sufficient and nutritious food. In Peru, various strategies have been adopted many years ago, among which are the soup kitchens led by women and created by the communities, who organise themselves to cook for the neediest neighbours, and Children´s in complicated health treatments shelters such as cancer, with no economic means to live in Lima while the treatment last and in need of nutritious food to fight their disease.

During the pandemic, in addition to these two organisations, hundreds of other community spaces called "communal pots" were opened in the outskirts of Lima. Since then, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola (USIL) helped to strengthen the conditions and capacities of these spaces, through training in healthy eating and food safety, and facilitating access to resources and allies, by mobilising student clubs, faculty members, professors and students in general who have a leadership role at university.

What the Judges Thought

This initiative clearly demonstrated impact to the local community, as well as capacity building.  This is a wonderful example of a Civic University - rising to local challenges during a difficult time.

What it Means to Win

"We encourage our teachers, students, and administrative staff to get involved, from their experience and with their time and talent, in the fight against global issues such as the food crisis. We are happy that our institutional culture “Modo USIL” (USIL´s way) has inspired the development of this and other projects. Winning this Green Gown Award allows us to bring this message to more institutions and people."

Juan Manuel Ostoja, CEO

Top 3 Learnings

1. Community empowerment requires broad access to information to address their needs and create opportunities for them.
2. Youth leadership is key to the development of socio-environmental engagement, as well as to the consolidation of their academic learning.
3. Institutional leadership is inspiring for the university community to get involved in critical issues such as the food crisis.