IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development) Goodwill Ambassador Sabrina Elba recently appeared in an exclusive interview for the Goodwill Ambassador Series, jointly hosted by Talking Foreign Affairs 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, 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, 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.”

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 a United Nations specialised agency and international financial institution dedicated to eradicating poverty and hunger in rural areas of developing countries. Operating in 92 countries, IFAD has supported over 78 million people and provided more than $24 billion in loans and grants. Some of its most prominent programmes include the Rural Poor Stimulus Facility and the Indigenous Peoples Assistance Facility. For more information, visit www.ifad.org.

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.

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