A Scottish charity founder has urged action on feeding the world’s poorest children when meeting with the Pope and global world leaders.
Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, founder and CEO of Mary’s Meals, was invited to speak at a historic Vatican summit and called on global leaders, royalty, and faith representatives to make a life-changing commitment: providing a daily school meal to children in the world’s poorest countries.
At the inaugural World Leaders Summit on Children’s Rights in Rome, Magnus revealed that it would cost approximately £2.4 billion annually to ensure school meals for children in the world’s lowest-income countries, a goal he insists is both achievable and essential.
Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow started Mary’s Meals in a shed in the Highlands in 2002. Today the charity feeds more than 2.4 million hungry children every school day.
“There is no good reason why we cannot make – and keep – this promise to the world’s poorest children … hope should be another right for every child,” he told the summit, which was attended by high-profile figures, including Queen Rania of Jordan, former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska, and Pope Francis.
During his address, Magnus recounted the origins of Mary’s Meals, inspired by a life-changing encounter in 2002 with a 14-year-old boy named Edward in Malawi. “He looked at me and said: ‘I would like to have enough food to eat and to go to school one day,’” he shared.
The summit concluded with global leaders signing a declaration committing to protect children’s rights and ensure their well-being. The declaration emphasised that violations of children’s rights remain widespread, that indifference cannot become the norm, and that a global commitment to peace and protection for children is essential.
Magnus also introduced the concept of a child’s “Right to Hope,” which he believes should be central to these efforts. “It’s a privilege to represent the Mary’s Meals family and to be the voice of the children we serve every school day,” he said after the event. “This summit has opened so many new doors for Mary’s Meals; so many new people are expressing huge interest in our work. It’s a very important step for Mary’s Meals.”
Pope Francis, inspired by the discussions, announced plans to draft an Apostolic Exhortation dedicated to children’s rights, signalling his intent to continue championing this cause.
Reflecting on his experience in Rome, MacFarlane-Barrow expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate but looked forward to returning home to Scotland. “It’s been amazing to spend a couple of days in the company of so many incredible leaders in this amazing city of Rome, but I’m now quite looking forward to getting back to my shed and my family in Scotland,” he said with a smile.
The charity’s low-cost approach means that it costs just £19.15 to feed a child with Mary’s Meals every day for a school year. To find out more about Mary’s Meals and how you can get involved, please visit marysmeals.org.uk.
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