The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the Winter Lecture Series of the Unitarian Church of Lincoln will hold the 2022 fall symposium “Global Food Security: Political, Economic and Climate Challenges,” from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 22 at the Nebraska East Union’s Great Plains Room.

The event will also be available via 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 or call the OLLI office at 402-472-6265. The registration deadline is Oct. 14. Membership with OLLI is not required.

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, D.C. where his areas of interest include price volatility, global grain reserves, crop insurance and trade. As the United States Department of Agriculture’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 Food Prize 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 progress against world hunger. He will examine recent discussions to repurpose agricultural subsidies to obtain improved environmental, nutrition and climate outcomes.

Local perspectives:

President/CEO Michaella Kumke of the Food bank of Lincoln; and

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