OLLI at UNL fall symposium to focus global food security

19 Sep 2022     By Patricia Saldana - OLLI at UNL

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, otherwise known as OLLI at UNL, and the Winter Lecture Series of the Unitarian Church of Lincoln will hold its 2022 fall symposium “Global Food Security: Political, Economic and Climate Challenges,” on Oct. 22, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., in-person at the Nebraska East Union, Great Plains Room, and live stream on Zoom. The symposium is open to the public.  

Featured speakers include Holger Kray, practice manager from the World Bank’s Africa Sustainable Development Group; Joe Glauber, senior research fellow from the International Food Policy Research Institute in Washington D.C., and the Rev. David Beckmann, president emeritus of Bread for the World. Local perspectives will also be presented.

Registration is required in advance. The $20 in-person cost includes lunch. The Zoom event is $15 per person. The Zoom link will be emailed after registration. Register online at https://olli.unl.edu or call the OLLI office at 402-472-6265. The registration deadline is Friday, Oct 14. OLLI membership is not required. 

About the Speakers:

Holger Kray. Practice manager for agriculture and food security in the World Bank’s Africa Sustainable Development Group. He also coordinates economic and other policy work related to sustainable development in the region. His expertise is in agricultural policy reform, climate smart and sustainable agriculture, global food security and public sector management. Kray will highlight the considerable income, employment and resilience opportunities offered by local, regional, and global food systems.

Joe Glauber. Senior research fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute in Washington, DC where his areas of interest include price volatility, global grain reserves, crop insurance and trade. As USDA’s chief economist from 2008-2014, he was responsible for the department’s agricultural forecasts and projections, oversaw climate, energy and regulatory issues. Glauber will examine the importance of the global trading system in helping meet sustainable development goals of eliminating hunger, improving nutrition, and mitigating the impact of climate change.

Rev. David Beckmann. President emeritus of Bread for the World and recipient of the World FoodPrize for his contribution to the world’s progress against hunger. He is now coordinator of the Circle of Protection, an advocacy coalition of church bodies and organizations that include 100 million members. Beckmann will focus on how people in this country can contribute to renewed progressagainst world hunger. He will examine recent discussions to repurpose agricultural subsidies to obtain improved environmental, nutrition and climate outcomes.

Local perspectives from:

President/CEO Michaella Kumke of the Food bank of Lincoln

Executive Director Susanne Blue of Matt Talbot Kitchen and Outreach of Lincoln

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNL is a member-driven organization committed to providing and promoting superior-quality learning experiences, events and travel opportunities designed for adults 50 years old and older who believe that "curiosity never retires."