Opening convocation addresses hunger, consumption

By: Giana Gregga

Posted: 9/8/09

The world produces enough grain to feed the entire earth's population. So why are so many hungry?

Frances Moore Lappé, the opening convocation speaker for Denison's theme "Consumption," will attempt to answer this question. She will deliver her speech addressing the question, "Why Hunger in a World of Plenty?" at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 10, in Swasey Chapel.

Lappé is a graduate of Earlham College in Indiana and began her environmental research at the age of 26. This research led to her publication of Diet for a Small Planet in 1971, which was iconic in asserting that human actions are the culprit for world hunger. She has also authored and co-authored eighteen other publications, the most recent being Getting a Grip: Clarity, Creativity, and Courage in a World Gone Mad (2008).

Additionally, she and her daughter, Anna Lappé, founded the "Small Planet Institution" in 2001. Their philosophy harbors democratic social change, "living democracy," where citizens believe inclusion, fairness and accountability are the keys to a rewarding life. She urges individuals to not only elect responsible political figures, but to make conscious choices to avoid consumer waste.

The mother-daughter duo also made two short documentaries concerning clean elections and taking the power of money from government so that "living democracy" can be established, titled Getting a Grip on Money & Politics, Parts I and II.

Lappé has been honored by numerous scholarly institutions and foundations and received countless awards for her fight for social change.

For more information on Lappé , visit http://www.smallplanet.org/about/.