US STUDENTS UNITE AGAINST HUNGER IN WASHINGTON

By by Jennifer Parmelee on February 29, 2008
© World Food Programme

WASHINGTON - University students from across the country will be
  rallying in Washington DC this weekend to focus on one of the biggest
  challenges of our time: hunger. The 3rd Annual Hunger Summit will
  showcase current efforts underway to influence policy and stimulate
  student advocacy efforts in order to eradicate hunger.

  This year marks the first year the Summit will take place in Washington
  DC. This week Josette Sheeran, Executive Director of the UN World Food
  Program (WFP) has been raising the alarm about rising food prices and
  their devastating impact on the hungry poor throughout the world.

  Rising food prices, rooted in increased energy prices, competition
  between biofuels and food, and weather fluctuations that have damaged
  untold acres of crops, are affecting millions of people – hitting
  hardest those living on the razor thin line of poverty.

  "This is a critical time for students to be engaged in the fight against
  hunger – we are in a hunger crisis. The world's most vulnerable are
  being hit hard," said Sheeran. "I look forward to addressing the young
  leaders with the Universities Fighting World Hunger, who are part of a
  new generation addressing this epic challenge."

  The Hunger Summit has annually showcased efforts by students in the
  Universities Fighting World Hunger (UFWH). Pairing students' advocacy
  efforts with academic activities, the initiative was started by WFP and
  Auburn University in 2003, and the coalition has grown to over 60
  universities working to eliminate world hunger.

  "Auburn University is privileged to have been selected in 2004 as WFP's
  lead academic partner," said Dean June Henton, of Auburn University.
  "This 3rd annual Summit is an opportunity for universities across the
  country, who have joined with us, to become better informed and
  energized by this unique hunger partnership."

  This year keynote speakers include Josette Sheeran, Executive Director
  of WFP; Congressman Jim McGovern of Massachusetts; Catherine Bertini,
  Senior Fellow at Gates Foundation and former head of WFP; David Beckman,
  President of Bread for the World; Eva Clayton, former Congresswoman and
  former Assistant Director General of the UN Food and Agricultural
  Organization; and Fran Quigley, Director of the AMPATH partnership
  between Indiana University and Moi University School in Medicine in
  Kenya.