1. A YEAR TO END HUNGER
By: Simi Atolagbe
University of Memphis

2. INTRODUCTION
A manmade disease called hunger continues to kill millions of children and
adults, mothers and fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers in both developed
and underdeveloped nation such as the United States, African, Indian and
China.
We have been told that there are no solutions. Currently, we live in the year
2010, and still continue to walk away instead of standing up to resolve this
problem.
We have forgotten all of the great works and wonders that we have
accomplished. When we needed transportation, did we not invent? When we
needed communication, did we not innovate? Now, there are more than 1.02
billion people deprived of food and millions of people dying from hunger every
year.
So why are we not using our talents to reinvent the tools that will put hunger
in our history books?

3. GLOBAL STATISTICS
Below are global statistics on world hunger according to
World Hunger Food Programme:
Every six seconds a child dies because of hunger and
related causes;
The number of undernourished people in the world
increased by 75 million in 2007 and 40 million in 2008,
largely due to higher food prices;
907 million people in developing countries alone are
hungry; and
10.9 million children under five die in developing countries
each year. Malnutrition and hunger-related diseases cause
60 percent of the deaths

4. WHY PEOPLE ARE HUNGRY IN THE 21ST
CENTURY?
The dilemma behind hunger is the politics behind creating a feasible solution in
ending the number (one) killer of the human race. This deadly disease (hunger)
is not caused by the lack of food or the lack of mean to distribute food. There is
enough food that can be grown to feed the entire mouths of every living being.
But because of corruptions, lack of motivation, lack of inspiration or lack of
responsibility for the human being, the majority has turned our hearts away.
For example:
The majority of poverty stricken nations export food to developed countries such as the
United States, Japan, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom. The question we
should ask ourselves is, how is that possible? Why do we continue to buy food from
poverty stricken nations such as China, India and Africa when they are not feeding
their own people? And then, we turn around and spend trillions of dollars in aids.
These acts of kindness sounds like a guilty conscience, not an act of compassion. When
we buy from them, we are just as corrupt as their governments and power heads that
can care less of the health and wellbeing of their nations.
Many arguments have been made in response to why people in both developed and
underdeveloped countries continue to go hungry. A critic will argue that there is no
way to end hunger, and it is not our place to feed everyone. Others argue, if we keep
feeding the hungry, they will become dependent. To some extent, some people are
capable of providing for themselves and their families. However, many (children,
elderly, poverty stricken mothers, etc.) are part of a group that is not capable of
providing for themselves because of the system, laws, and regulations that are set in
place by their governments and power heads. When we turn our backs, we are killing
future doctors and scientists, mothers and fathers, friends and motivators.

5. SOLUTION: A YEAR TO END HUNGER
Many solutions have been suggested in reducing hunger. One that has
often been suggested is to expand the access of food to everyone. In theory,
that is a wonderful idea, but without full practice, it is unattainable.
In order to find a feasible solution to end hunger in our era, we have to
play the game of our era. This is where the idea of a year to end hunger
comes in play.
For this solution to become a reality, several steps must be taken.

6. SOLUTIONS CONT’D
First, mass communication and technology are making dramatic impact in today’s society.
The idea is to use technology and communication in getting a practical solution once and
for all. Visualize, CNN—the world most recognized broadcasting station— featuring a
televised program once a week for one (1) year of a forum for finding workable solution(s) to
end hunger.
The next step is to bring stakeholders—UN, general public, Feeding American, Hunger
Project, other nonprofit organizations, etc—from every corner of the world to the table.
During these meetings, proposals of each party will be tabled.
At these meetings, the next step will be to form workable solutions. A team of researchers
and strategists who can invent solutions will be listening and observing the discussions
among the stakeholders.
The fourth stage of the process will involve fundraising for implementing the strategies
that were recommended by the forum. Citizens, public and private corporations, small
businesses, etc will all be able to contribute to the foundation that will appropriate the
funds for implementing the solutions that were decided upon.
The final process of ending world hunger will be to implement a task force that will head
approved projects in different regions of the world. I believe that the idea—a year to end
hunger— will allow us to work together as one being to end hunger, which will impact
every life across the world.

7. A HEALTHY WORLD
A word to the inventors and innovators
Unfortunately, there is going to be opponents even when an idea is
clear or even when someone is simply trying to impact the world
positively. However, we cannot make room for critics to continue to
build road blocks. We must stand up and act for the world.
The idea that it is the government’s problem and that the hungry got
the wrong end of the stick is completely off. We have spent trillions of
dollars on a problem that is still present. We must put forth solutions
that will give room for food to become a necessity rather than a
luxury.
With the implementation of the year to end hunger, the world can
begin fighting other social dilemmas 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 society.
Thus, with valuable members, we have healthy economy, and with a
healthy economy, we have a happy world.