Alliance President is World Food Prize Laureate

Washington, D.C., June 16, 2010– Rev. David Beckmann, president of the Alliance to End Hunger and Bread for the World, has been named a 2010 World Food Prize Laureate, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced today.  He shares the award, the Nobel Prize equivalent for food and agriculture, with Jo Luck, president of Heifer International.

The laureates were recognized for their "landmark achievements in building tow of the world's most foremost grassroots organizations leading the charge to end hunger and poverty for millions of people around the world."  In honoring them, the World Food Prize "recognizes the critical efforts of NGOs in mobilizing and empowering everyday citizens to end hunger in communities around the world."

"I hope the World Food Prize will encourage more people to get involved in changing the politics of hunger," said Rev. Beckmann.

"I am very please that the World Food Prize has recognized the important role advocates like David play in ending hunger," said Ambassador Tony Hall, director of the Alliance to End Hunger.  "I spoke to David many times during my years in Congress and when I was U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Agencies for Food and Agriculture.  I valued his input and always welcomed his counsel."

Rev. Beckmann founded the Alliance to End Hunger in 2002 and has been president of Bread for the World since 1991.  He is an ordaining Lutheran minister and economist.  His latest book, Exodus from Hunger, will be published in October by Westminster John Knox Press (www.exodusfromhunger.com).

The World Food Prize cited the effectiveness of Rev. Beckmann's advocacy leadership.  As president of the Alliance to End Hunger, Rev. Beckmann expanded Bread for the World's Christian advocacy voice by joining it with the voices of Jewish and Muslim faith-based groups, major corporations, non profit organizations, universities, and foundations.  The 80 member organizations of the Alliance to End Hunger are working together to build the public and political will to end hunger.

"I am grateful for David's dedication to persistently and humbly seeking justice for hungry people around the world.  It is an example worth following," said Ambassador Hall.

The late Norman Borlaug, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, established the World Food Prize in 1986 to honor outstanding individuals who make vital contributions to food and agriculture.  There are 33 laureates so far, most of the scientists.  Rev. Beckmann is the first clergyman to receive the award.  The World Food Prize ceremony will take place October 14, 2010, in Des Moines, Iowa.

###

The Alliance to End Hunger engages diverse institutions in building the political will to end hunger.  Three times nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, Ambassador Tony P. Hall served as a member of Congress from Dayton, Ohio for 24 years.  He is a leading hunger advocate and served as the U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Agencies for Food and Agriculture in Rome.  www.alliancetoendhunger.org