Weekly Buzz
As you get ready to come to DC for the Hunger Justice Leaders Training, here's something to chew on beforehand. Each week leading up to this exciting event, we'll post an interesting resource on this web page for you to delve into. Have some conversations with each other about the information if you'd like. Or throw questions back to our staff.
Weekly Buzz
Week of June 1
Up to now we've looked at the nuts & bolts of advocacy, organizing on campuses and in the church community, and hunger and poverty in very poor countries. Let's turn our attention to the home front this week. There's a lot of talk in the media these days about "subprime loans" and the collapse of the housing market. How do these issues, and others like low-wage employment, reflect the everyday life situations and struggles of poor people in the U.S.?
Can people get out of poverty for good? Here are some of the ways Bread for the World thinks about it.
Previous Issues of the Weekly Buzz Week of May 25
In mobilizing people of faith to urge full U.S. support for the Millennium Development Goals, Bread for the World strives to secure more and better assistance for the world’s poor and marginalized people. Making our aid effective means that it is coordinated and comprehensive to give struggling people the best chance at achieving sustainable livelihoods for their families. What is effective development assistance? Here is the way Bread looks at it. 
Week of May 19
Last week we got into the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – what they are, why they’re important and what progress the world has made in implementing them so far. Let’s continue to focus a bit more on these critically important international goals. What are key challenges to overcome so that countries can fulfill their commitment to achieve the MDGs?
Read Bread for the World Institute's Briefing Paper: The Millennium Development Goals: Facing Down Challenges
May 11: In previous "Weekly Buzz" installments we've looked at advocacy – what it entails and tips on mobilizing people in your church or on campus to get involved in public policy issues around hunger and poverty. Now let's take a look at some specific approaches that address those issues. This week we'll focus on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs.) "What are they?" you ask. Good question because they're very important to some of the poorest people in the world. Read on ...
MDGs in general
MDGs: Reason for hope, call to action
May 5: Bread for the World's "bread and butter" is mobilizing people within the church community to urge their members of Congress to act on hunger throughout the world and here at home. Speaking truth to power is what Bread does best. Together, we can help shape policies that address immediate needs and root causes of hunger and poverty.
Want some tips on how to engage your church community in faith-filled advocacy? Here are a few ways to start.
April 27: This week, we'd like to get up close and personal with some organizing tips. How do you go about mobilizing people on your campus or a campus near you? What are basic elements that make for good organizing for advocacy in that setting?
You'll find these resources insightful:
Engage your Campus in Advocacy
April 20: Weekly Buzz is going to start you off with a great piece that Bread for the World put together called Advocacy 101. It's only 2 pages, but it has lots of interesting info on how Congress works and how to work the hunger issue in Congress.
