Rev. David Beckmann to Present World Food Prize Laureate Lecture

The Rev. David Beckmann will discuss “Faith and the Politics of Poverty in a Difficult Time” in his World Food Prize Lecture set for 1 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 22, in Hubbell Hall, Kent Campus Center at Simpson College. Presented by the John C. Culver Public Policy Center and the World Food Prize Foundation, the event is free and open to the public.

Honored as the World Food Prize Laureate in 2010, Rev. Beckmann is hailed as the foremost U.S. advocate for people struggling with poverty and hunger. The former longtime World Bank economist who also served nearly 30 years as president of Bread for the World, has built a network of 3,000 churches and two million people working to serving those in greatest need.

“This event gives our students the opportunity to engage in a critical global concern as they prepare to become leaders in defending the inherent dignity and worth of all human beings,” said Dr. Tim Luttermoser, assistant professor of biology and environmental science at Simpson. “Rev. Beckmann has dedicated more than 50 years to fighting poverty and hunger, and his message about the importance of expressing values in concrete policy is an important reminder for all of us.”

Beckmann is a graduate of Yale University and holds master’s degrees from the Lutheran School of Theology and the London School of Economics.