IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development) Goodwill Ambassador Sabrina Dhowre Elba recently appeared in an exclusive interview for the Goodwill Ambassador Series, jointly hosted by Talking Foreign Affairs with Adil Cader and the United Nations Association of Australia Young Professionals Network (UNAA YPN). This interview is part of an upcoming week-long campaign to raise awareness of the challenges faced by rural women and girls and to highlight IFAD’s work in advocating for rural populations worldwide.

The CEO, model, and activist joined co-hosts Adil Cader and Katelyn Persich to discuss her advocacy for rural women and girls, including her groundbreaking work urging world leaders to increase funding for food security. As a TIME Impact Award recipient and World Economic Forum Crystal Award winner, Dhowre Elba shared her experiences from fieldwork and offered advice to young listeners eager to learn how they, too, can contribute to global change.

Reflecting on why this cause is so important to her, Dhowre Elba said, “Growing up as a first-generation Somali immigrant with a proud African mother, I was taught not to buy into the false narrative about rural people. When I learned about IFAD’s work, I wanted to get involved.” Speaking of her field visits to rural Kenya, she added, “Apart from being a life-changing experience and meeting people face-to-face, it showed me that the issues are far more complex than they appear on the surface. Farmers are custodians of the planet. Kenya is like a second home to me.”

Dhowre Elba, together with her British actor husband, Idris Elba, were appointed Goodwill Ambassadors for IFAD in April 2020. Since the appointment, in addition to Kenya, Dhowre Elba has travelled to Sierra Leone, Egypt and Zambia to witness first-hand the impact of IFAD’s work.

Throughout the interview, she delves into the urgency of supporting sustainable agricultural development, especially in climate-affected regions, and shares her vision for global partnerships that empower underserved communities.

About IFAD

IFAD is an international financial institution and a United Nations specialized agency. Based in Rome – the United Nations food and agriculture hub – IFAD invests in rural people, empowering them to reduce poverty, increase food security, improve nutrition, and strengthen resilience. Since 1978, it has provided more than US$24 billion in grants and low-interest loans to fund projects in developing countries. For more information, visit www.ifad.org or follow IFAD social media channels on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok.

Speaking on the collaboration, Chief of Strategic Communications at IFAD, Sacha Westerbeek, “We are excited to collaborate with Talking Foreign Affairs and UNAA YPN to shine a light on the remarkable work of  Sabrina Dhowre Elba as IFAD’s Goodwill Ambassador. Her commitment to empowering rural communities reflects IFAD’s mission to create lasting, sustainable change for those most affected by poverty and food insecurity, with a special focus on women, youth and Indigenous Peoples.”

Talking Foreign Affairs founder Adil Cader, “Sabrina’s story is a testament to the power of compassion and commitment to change, which we are excited to share with our audience.”

Through the Series, Talking Foreign Affairs and UNAA YPN seek to raise awareness and inspire young people to engage with international causes by featuring interviews with UN Goodwill Ambassadors working on important issues around the world.

Media Contact:
Adil Cader
Talking Foreign Affairs
Info@talkingforeignaffairs.org