28 May From ‘I can’t’ to ‘I can’ to ‘We can’
A special day with Rowlands Kaotcha, Global CEO of The Hunger Project
Last Monday, we had the privilege of welcoming a special guest to Zurich: Rowlands Kaotcha, Global CEO of The Hunger Project. It was a day full of inspiration, exchange and new perspectives. Rowlands not only shared his experiences and visions with us, but also advised us with great clarity and foresight.
Rowlands Kaotcha was born in Malawi and still lives there with his family today. He has been part of The Hunger Project for over 20 years and has held various regional and global leadership positions during that time, most recently as Chief Programme Officer. Today, he heads the Global Office, as he himself calls it, as a ‘grown from within’ CEO.
His personal story is as exciting as it is powerful. His mother, who had to walk many kilometres to the nearest hospital to give birth to him, had a particularly formative influence on him. From her, Rowlands learned early on how much people can achieve through willpower and perseverance. This experience laid the foundation for his mission: to empower people worldwide to take control of their own future.
“This is not a moment to give up”
In conversation with Rowlands, it becomes clear that he is well aware of the complex challenges of our time. Although global hunger has been reduced from around one third to around ten percent of the world’s population since the 1970s, this progress has stagnated since 2007.
At the same time, development cooperation faces another major challenge: the US has announced massive cuts in development and foreign aid, particularly through USAID. These budget cuts are hitting numerous programmes hard and jeopardising important progress worldwide. At a time of growing global uncertainty and multiple crises, crucial resources are being withdrawn.
It is precisely in this context that the work of The Hunger Project is becoming more relevant than ever. ‘The world has the opportunity to complete what we have started,’ Rowlands emphasises. Now is the time to invest in functioning and sustainable models that enable genuine self-determination. The Hunger Project offers such an approach: proven, effective and sustainable.
What makes The Hunger Project special is its consistent focus on change from within. It is not about creating dependencies, but about encouraging people to believe in themselves and promoting inner change towards self-empowerment. Or, as Rowlands puts it in this video: ‘We move from “I can’t” to “I can”. And then from “I can” to “We can”.’ This change in thinking has an impact far beyond individuals. It strengthens communities and creates a movement that is bigger than the project itself.
‘This is not the time to give up,’ Rowlands urges. Rather, it is the time to face challenges and courageously break new ground.
Courage, vision and personal dialogue
An exclusive meet & greet aperitif took place in the evening. This was a special opportunity for investors and supporters to talk directly with Rowlands, the board and the advisory board of THP Switzerland. This personal encounter was seen as particularly valuable and underlines the transparent, inclusive approach of The Hunger Project.
Rowlands challenged those present with a crucial question:
‘Yes, the global development landscape is changing rapidly. How we respond will define who we are. Will we retreat and allow this shift to pull us backward, or will we lean in and rise to meet the moment?‘
The evening developed into a lively and open dialogue. The participants asked many interesting questions and were impressed by Rowlands’ rhetorical talent and passionate message.
A message to conclude
In closing, Rowlands left us with an impressive message: under his leadership, The Hunger Project will not act out of fear, but out of a belief in what is possible. ‘We lead from a place of possibility – not from a place of fear.’
Together with you, we want to make Rowlands Kaotcha’s vision a reality. Help us create hope and bring about lasting change.
Now is the moment for ‘We can’.