10th African Day of School Feeding: Celebrating the Past, Securing a Just Future

INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION DIRECTORATE

Press Release No: 07/2025 Date: 4 February 2025
Venue: Bangui, Central African Republic

10^th African Day of School Feeding: Celebrating the Past, Securing a Just Future

The 10^th African Day of School Feeding (ADSF), themed « A Decade of Nourishment: Celebrating the Past, securing a Just Future, » will convene from February 28^th to March 1^st, 2025, in Bangui, Central African Republic. Organized by the African Union Commission’s Department of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation (ESTI) in partnership with the World Food Program (WFP), and hosted by the Government of Central African Republic, this conference aligns with the AU’s 2025 theme, « Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations. »

Serving as a tangible reparative initiative, the 10^th ADSF advances justice, dignity, and empowerment for African children and communities disproportionately impacted by historical injustices. It celebrates a decade of progress in School Feeding across Africa, aligning with the African Union’s broader goals to create sustainable, inclusive, and resilient systems and food-systems that honour the rights and dignity of Africans and people of African descent. The AU’s 2025 theme and the 10^th ADSF’s theme are interconnected through their focus on rectifying historical injustices and fostering equity.

The overarching objectives focus on scaling up school feeding programs across Africa; recognizing and celebrating the significant impact of school meals on the lives of African children and the continent; highlighting achievements of school feeding programs across Africa; reflecting on challenges and identifying strategies for improvement in school feeding initiatives; promoting innovative approaches to strengthen school feeding programs; and mobilizing support from stakeholders, including governments, civil society organizations, and the private sector, to expand and increase investment in school feeding programs.

Key highlights will include high-level plenary sessions, panel discussions, and workshops on school feeding and justice; exhibitions showcasing successful school feeding models; various campaigns launch; field visits to school feeding sites in Central African Republic; and the presentation of the « Bangui Declaration » on scaling up school feeding.

The 10^th ADSF serves as a platform to celebrate progress, address persistent challenges, and galvanize action toward equitable, sustainable school feeding systems. By prioritizing local solutions and global partnerships, Africa aims to unlock the transformative potential of school meals for future generations.

On this 10^th African Day of School Feeding, let us renew our commitment to supporting and expanding these life-changing programs. Governments, international organizations, and civil society must work together to secure sustainable funding, promote inclusive policies, and foster community engagement.

For further information, please contact:

Ms. Esther Azaa Tankou | Head, Media and Information Division, Communication Adviser, Permanent Observer Mission to the UN | Information and Communications Directorate | E-mail: yamboue@africa-uinon.org | Tel: +251911361185 / +1 3478127195 (WhatsApp)

Mr. Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar | Senior Communication Officer | Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission | E-mail: GamalK@africa-union.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia