Twenty-Sixth Annual World Food Day Teleconference
October 16, 2009
Global Food Crisis: Opportunities, Responsibilities and Solutions
“ … a billion people go hungry each day. We need a breakthrough that is demonstrable, public, clear and convincing that can mobilize the public’s hearts and minds and that can demonstrate success…the lives of the billion poorest people depend on it.” (Statement by Dr. Jeffrey Sachs in the Guardian News.)
The 2009 World Food Day Teleconference will consider the impact of the financial crisis on those living in poverty, the responsibilities of the rest of the world and the solutions that are emerging. Three experts from different backgrounds working on these issues will exchange views on the 26th annual teleconference. Max Finberg, newly appointed Director of the USDA Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships; Rep. Jim McGovern, serving his seventh term as representative from Massachusetts; and Joy Phumaphi, of Botswana, Vice President and Head of the Human Development Network at the World Bank will be our special guests. In addition to the panelists there will be a live uplink with the Prize Laureate from the World Food Prize ceremonies in Iowa.
The program will be broadcast live from Washington DC, Friday, October 16th, from noon to 3:00 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time. In addition to our usual satellite broadcast on C-Band, the DISH Network will carry the program. We also hope that the program will be available in English through the facilities of the American Embassy Television Service. There is no fee for registration and there are no restrictions on videotaping or re-broadcast by ETV and cable stations. This year the program also will be available on a limited basis through Elluminate Conferencing Services.
Elluminate Conferencing Services
will be providing web access to the teleconference on a limited basis.
Single reproducible copies of the Teleconference Study/Action Packet, prepared by the U.S. National Committee for World Food Day, will be available and will be sent free of charge to registered sites in North America. Continuing Education Credits for teleconference participation will be provided through Marywood University for interested clergy and social service professionals. The American Dietetic Association gives CEUS for registered dietitians and dietetic technicians and the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences has approved Professional Development Units (PDUS) for its members.
For additional information on the World Food Day Teleconference or other World Food Day resources and event planning ideas please contact Patricia Young, National Coordinator (patricia.young@fao.org.)
U.S. National Committee for World Food Day
2175 K Street NW
Washington DC 20437
Tel. 202-653-2404 Fax 202-653-5760
www.worldfooddayusa.org
2009 WORLD FOOD DAY TELECONFERENCE PANEL
Max Finberg
Max Finberg has dedicated his career to serving those who are less fortunate, especially the hungry. In May of this year he was named Director of the Center for Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships at USDA. Mr. Finberg most recently served as the Director of the Alliance to End Hunger. Prior to the Alliance position he served as special assistant to the Ambassador at the U.S. Mission to the Food Agencies in Rome (the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, the World Food Program and the International Fund for Agricultural Development). Finberg graduated with honors from Howard University’s School of Divinity with a Master’s Degree in Social Ethics. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from Tufts University.
Rep. Jim McGovern
Rep. McGovern is one of the leading voices in Congress on issues of hunger and human rights. He serves as co-chair of the Congressional Hunger Caucus. A native of Worcester, Massachusetts, McGovern was a staff member for Senator George McGovern of South Dakota (to whom he is not related) before entering the House. Currently serving his seventh term he is the Vice Chairman of the powerful House Rules Committee which sets the terms of debate and amendments on most legislation. He is a member of the House Budget Committee and also a member of the Progressive Caucus. Mr. McGovern earned his Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Public Administration from American University.
Joy Phumaphi
Ms. Phumaphi, a native of Botswana, is Vice President and Head of the Human Development Network at the World Bank. She began public service in Botswana as a government auditor and went on to serve in Parliament and subsequently as Minister of Health. Ms. Phumaphi’s notable work in the Southern African Development Community led to her appointment as Assistant Director General for Family and Community Health of the World Health Organization. As executive of one of the world’s most influential jobs her resume is ”rich with accomplishments” with experiences in such areas as administration, land and housing and varied public policy responsibilities. She holds a Master of Science degree from Miami University, Ohio.
RAY SUAREZ (Invited)
Program Host
Ray Suarez is a senior correspondent with the PBS Jim Lehrer NewsHour and formerly host of NPR's news program Talk of the Nation. He brings more than 30 years of experience in the news business to the daily broadcast, having worked for NBC-TV in Chicago, CNN, ABC Radio, CBS Radio in Rome and been a reporter for various American and British news services in London. Author of several books, his most recent, The Holy Vote: The Politics of Faith in America. was published in 2006. Recipient of numerous awards and honorary degrees, he holds a B.A. degree in African history from New York University and a M.A. in social sciences from the University of Chicago. Mr. Suarez has moderated nine previous teleconferences for World Food Day – in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2007 and 2008.