The Power of Global Food Security: Examining Economic and National Security Implications
The passage of the Global Food Security Act this summer made a profound statement about the importance of U.S. leadership on global food security and nutrition. Through impressive bi-partisan efforts during a particularly contentious political year, Congress has supported initiatives like Feed the Future and demonstrated that the United States will continue to be a champion in addressing hunger, poverty, and malnutrition.
Join us to look at how global food security ties directly to U.S. national security and economic interests. Fragile states are often the most food insecure. Political instability and conflict are often fueled by food-insecure populations with the resulting unrest further driving both trends. Price volatility can spark disorder among urban communities unable to afford basic staples. In addition, the risks of economic and food insecurity in the world are likely to escalate with the impacts of climate change and urbanization. Experts will examine the linkages between food insecurity and political stability, and discuss how soft power investments in foreign aid are important to our national security objectives.
Photo credit: John Moore/Getty Images