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 Malnutrition and hunger-related diseases
continues to kill millions of children, adults, cause 60 percent of the deaths
mothers, fathers, grandmothers and
grandfathers. We have been told that there Why are people still hungry in the 21st
are no solutions. Currently, we live in the Century?
year 2010, and still continue to walk away
instead of standing up to resolve this The dilemma behind hunger is the
problem. We have forgotten all of the great politics behind creating a feasible solution
works and wonders that we have in solving the number (one) killer of the
accomplished as a race. When we needed human race. This deadly disease (hunger) is
transportation, did we not invent? When we not caused by the lack of food or the lack of
needed communication, did we not mean to distribute food. There is enough
innovate? Now, there are more than 1.02 food that can be grown to feed the entire
billion people deprived of food and millions mouths of every living being. But because of
of people dying from hunger every year. So corruptions, lack of motivation, lack of
why are we not using our talents to reinvent inspiration and lack of responsibility for the
the tools that will put hunger in our history human being, we have turned our hearts
books? away. For example:
• The majority of poverty stricken nations
Global statistics export food to developed countries such
as the United States, Japan, Germany,
Below are global statistics on world France, and the United Kingdom. The
hunger according to World Hunger Food question we should ask ourselves is,
Programme1: how is that possible? Why do we
• 1.02 billion people do not have enough continue to buy food from poverty
to eat - more than the populations of stricken nations when they are not
USA, Canada and the European Union; feeding their own people? And then, we
turn around and spend trillions of dollars
• Every six seconds a child dies because in aids. These acts of kindness sounds
of hunger and related causes; like a guilty conscience, not an act of
compassion. When we buy from them,
• The number of undernourished people in we are just as corrupt as their
the world increased by 75 million in governments and power heads that can
2007 and 40 million in 2008, largely due care less of the health and wellbeing of
to higher food prices; their nations.
• 907 million people in developing • Many arguments have been made in
countries alone are hungry; and response to why people in both
developed and underdeveloped countries
• 10.9 million children under five die in continue to go hungry. A critic will
developing countries each year. 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.
1
Reference:
World
Hunger
Food
Programme.
Hunger
Stats.
[Data
file].
Retrieved
from
http://www.wfp.org/hunger/stats
Simisola Atolagbe Page 1 3/21/10

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—politicians, general public,
corporations, nonprofit organization, etc—
Unfortunately, there is going to be from every corner of the world to the table.
opponents even when an idea is clear or During these meetings, proposals of each
even when someone is simply trying to 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.
Simisola Atolagbe Page 2 3/21/10