Food and Faith Responses to the COVID-19 Crisis: Directions Ahead?

Hunger is a widespread and urgent reality in places where COVID-19 lockdowns and economic downturns affect the many whose livelihoods are precarious. Religious communities and organizations have long focused on food security, from agricultural production (especially by smallholders) to distribution and nutrition. They also serve those who are hungry with food banks and other programs. This webinar will set the immediate crisis against the backdrop of continuing efforts, including those supported by faith institutions, to assure food security and to develop smallholder agriculture. Has the agenda shifted with the COVID crisis, and if so, how? What are the major gaps that have contributed to the COVID-19 emergency in relation to food security? What are priority actions moving forward? What can be said about lessons from religious engagement on this topic during the COVID-19 emergency?

This event will feature Rev. Nicta Lubaale, whose career has focused on action programs and reforms that enable smallholder farmers to achieve what has long been recognized as their potential for self-reliance and robust farming systems. Asma Lateef, director of Bread for the World Institute, and Lister Nyang’anyi, director of development services for the Anglican Diocese of Central Tanganyika, Dodoma, Tanzania, will join Rev. Lubaale in a discussion moderated by Berkley Center Senior Fellow Katherine Marshall.

The Zoom Webinar link and instructions to join the call will be sent via email at 10:00 a.m. EDT on July 8 to anyone who has filled out the RSVP form. This event will be recorded and posted to the event page after the event date. Please RSVP to receive an email notification once it is posted.