WFP appoints George McGovern as Global Ambassador on hunger

United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) Executive Director Catherine Bertini today named former United States Senator George McGovern as the agency's first Global Ambassador on Hunger.

In his new role, Mr. McGovern will act as the agency's worldwide advocate on hunger issues and promote programmes focused on poor children and mothers as ways to eradicate hunger and poverty.

"We are honoured that Ambassador McGovern has agreed to continue his fight against hunger, through a renewed affiliation with WFP," said Ms. Bertini. "As a WFP founder and a long-time supporter, he is ideally placed to help ensure that hunger remains at the top of the humanitarian agenda."

A child of the Great Depression and a decorated veteran of the Second World War, and a witness to widespread hunger and poverty in war-torn Europe, Mr. McGovern has devoted his life to furthering the cause of the hungry poor in the United States and around the world.

As the first director of the US Food for Peace Program appointed by President John F. Kennedy in the 1961, he was instrumental in founding WFP. Forty years later, the agency has become the largest humanitarian aid agency in the world. It provides life-saving food aid to millions every year in emergency and development projects.

Among his many other accomplishments, Mr. McGovern is the author of a book on how to fight global hunger. Published last spring, the book, titled Ending World Hunger in Our Time, lays out a strategy to end world hunger by focusing on programmes that feed and educate poor children.

"I can't think of anyone better than George McGovern to serve as our first ambassador," Ms. Bertini said. "And at a time like this, when it is more important than ever we find long term ways to solve world hunger, I am proud he will be at our side."