Meet the Team: Alexandria Richter, Partnerships Intern

My name is Alexandria Richter and I joined the FAO North America team as a Partnerships Intern in June. I was born and raised in New York but over the past few years, I have lived in Dallas, London, and Rome. I recently graduated from the University of Roma Tre with a Master of Human Development and Food Security which was sponsored by the Rome-based United Nations organizations. This master’s degree gave me a fundamental understanding of the deeply rooted structural causes of food insecurity and poverty and showed me how more equitable land policies and the support for small-scale producers have the potential to improve livelihoods and therefore increase food security and nutrition.

Before entering the world of food and nutrition security, I was working as a registered nurse. I have three years of experience working within maternal/newborn health and neonatal intensive care. While I was in these roles, I witnessed negative health effects among my patients, many of which were attributable to a food system that is not nearly as equitable as it could be. I saw how issues such as food deserts and maternal malnutrition impacted neonatal and child health outcomes and I aspired to work on a larger scale where I could influence policies and ensure that food systems are conducive to food security, and therefore to overall health.

After this realization, I pursued a Master of Public Health at City, University of London where I gained insight on the social determinants of health and the long-term consequences that arise when global health issues are ignored. Stunting and wasting are of particular concern to me, since they are not only impacting the health and potential of the current generation but will also inevitably limit the potential of future generations. I am also drawn to the issue of antimicrobial resistance within food systems, as well as how biodiversity loss and climate change will continue to influence pathogen spillover. I hope to be able to draw upon my multisectoral background while learning from colleagues and engaging with partners in this role. Even though I am just getting started, working with FAO is the honor of a lifetime for me. Wherever my career takes me in the future, I know that I will always aspire to contribute toward creating a world where all people, at all times, have sufficient access to safe and nutritious food.

During the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, I had the opportunity to work as part of the Global Food Security Cluster COVID-19 working group assessing the impact of COVID-19 related trade restrictions on the food security of countries that rely heavily on imports for their staple food items. The impact of the pandemic has been completely devastating, but I believe that it has presented a unique opportunity to really make the change toward a more sustainable, equitable and resilient food system.

One of my favorite quotes by Amartya Sen can very adequately summarize why I felt inspired to work with FAO: “For the elimination of hunger in the modern world, it is important to understand the problem in an adequately broad framework, involving not only food production and agriculture expansion, but also the functioning of the entire economy, and even more broadly the operation of political and social arrangements that can directly or indirectly influence people’s ability to acquire food and achieve health and nourishment.” This quote inspires me because it describes the problem we face so accurately, and only when we understand the problem can we find a sustainable solution. I want to be part of that solution.