1. A Year to End Hunger: Ending the Politics behind World Hunger
By: Simi Atolagbe
University of Memphis
MPA Candidate
Spring 2010
A manmade disease called hunger
continues to kill millions of children and Why people are still hungry in the 21st
adults, mothers and fathers, grandmothers Century?
and grandfathers in both developed and
underdeveloped nation such as the United The dilemma behind hunger is the
States, African, Indian and China. We have politics behind creating a feasible solution
been told that there are no solutions. in ending the number (one) killer of the
Currently, we live in the year 2010, and still human race. This deadly disease (hunger) is
continue to walk away instead of standing not caused by the lack of food or the lack of
up to resolve this problem. We have mean to distribute food. There is enough
forgotten all of the great works and wonders food that can be grown to feed the entire
that we have accomplished. When we mouths of every living being. But because of
needed transportation, did we not invent? corruptions, lack of motivation, lack of
When we needed communication, did we inspiration or lack of responsibility for the
not innovate? Now, there are more than human being, the majority has turned our
1.02 billion people deprived of food and hearts away. For example:
millions of people dying from hunger every • The majority of poverty stricken nations
year. So why are we not using our talents to export food to developed countries such
reinvent the tools that will put hunger in our as the United States, Japan, Germany,
history books? France, and the United Kingdom. The
question we should ask ourselves is,
Global statistics how is that possible? Why do we
continue to buy food from poverty
Below are global statistics on world stricken nations such as China, India and
hunger according to World Hunger Food Africa when they are not feeding their
Programme1: own people? And then, we turn around
• Every six seconds a child dies because and spend trillions of dollars in aids.
of hunger and related causes; These acts of kindness sounds like a
guilty conscience, not an act of
• The number of undernourished people in compassion. When we buy from them,
the world increased by 75 million in we are just as corrupt as their
2007 and 40 million in 2008, largely due governments and power heads that can
to higher food prices; care less of the health and wellbeing of
their nations.
• 907 million people in developing
countries alone are hungry; and • Many arguments have been made in
response to why people in both
• 10.9 million children under five die in developed and underdeveloped countries
developing countries each year. continue to go hungry. A critic will
Malnutrition and hunger-related diseases argue that there is no way to end hunger,
cause 60 percent of the deaths and it is not our place to feed everyone.
Others argue, if we keep feeding the
hungry, they will become dependent.
1
Reference:
World
Hunger
Food
Programme.
Hunger
Stats.
[Data
file].
Retrieved
from
http://www.wfp.org/hunger/stats
Simisola Atolagbe Page 1 5/4/10

2. To some extent, some people are Currently on televisions, there are shows
capable of providing for themselves and that are impacting the world. Some are
their families. However, many (children, positive, while others are negative. The
elderly, poverty stricken mothers, etc.) question is why can we not have a program
are part of a group that is not capable of that seeks accountability, justice,
providing for themselves because of the transparency, and a voice for our fellow
system, laws, and regulations that are set human beings? The forum to end hunger
in place by their governments and power will seek to bring and work with passionate
heads. When we turn our backs, we are individuals (students, professionals,
killing future doctors and scientists, politicians, dictators, etc) who are willing to
mothers and fathers, friends and give their time, money, and/or talents in
motivators. helping to end hunger.
The next step is to bring
A word to the inventors and innovators stakeholders—UN, general public, Feeding
American, Hunger Project, other nonprofit
Unfortunately, there is going to be organizations, etc—from every corner of the
opponents even when an idea is clear or world to the table. During these meetings,
even when someone is simply trying to proposals of each party will be tabled.
impact the world positively. However, we At these meetings, the next step will
cannot make room for critics to continue to be to form workable solutions. A team of
build road blocks. We must stand up and act researchers and strategists who can invent
for the world. The idea that it is the solutions will be listening and observing the
government’s problem and that the hungry discussions among the stakeholders. At this
got the wrong end of the stick is completely time of information gathering, the entire
off. We have spent trillions of dollars on a world will be viewing the segment via
problem that is still present. We must put television, radio, and Internet, and would
forth solutions that will give room for food have the opportunity to influence the
to become a necessity rather than a luxury. discussions. The technological world will be
used to its fullest capacity; while,
Solution: A year to end hunger accountability and transparency will
dominate the face of hunger for the sake of
Many solutions have been suggested humanity.
in reducing hunger. One that has often been The fourth stage of the process will
suggested is to expand the access of food to involve fundraising for implementing the
everyone. In theory, that is a wonderful idea, strategies that were recommended by the
but without full practice, it is unattainable. forum. Citizens, public and private
In order to find a feasible solution to end corporations, small businesses, etc will all
hunger in our era, we have to play the game be able to contribute to the foundation that
of our era. This is where the idea of a year will appropriate the funds for implementing
to end hunger comes in play. the solutions that were decided upon.
For this solution to become a reality, The final process of ending world
several steps must be taken. First, mass hunger will be to implement a task force that
communication and technology are making will head approved projects in different
dramatic impact in today’s society. The idea regions of the world. I believe that the
is to use technology and communication in idea—a year to end hunger— will allow us
getting a practical solution once and for all. to work together as one being to end hunger,
Visualize, CNN—the world most which will impact every life across the
recognized broadcasting station— featuring world.
a televised program once a week for one (1)
year of a forum for finding workable
solution(s) to end hunger.
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3. A healthy world
With the implementation of a year
to end hunger, the world can begin fighting
other social dilemma that is being faced
across our communities and nations. But we
must first end the root cause of the disease.
When a soul is nourished, it can become a
valuable member to the society. Thus, we
valuable members, we have healthy
economy, and with a healthy economy, we
have a happy world.
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