Zero Hunger Summer Seminars

Enroll Today

Build your advocacy skills and join a virtual learning community of anti-hunger leaders at our Summer Seminars, an annual series on domestic and global hunger. This online learning experience is open to anyone interested in alleviating hunger and poverty through public policy, and current college students are especially encouraged to attend.

Fight Hunger This Summer


The world faces a growing hunger crisis caused by a global pandemic.

In order to solve the problem, it is critical that we first understand the root causes of hunger, and the power of public policy to address or exacerbate them.

The Zero Hunger Summer Seminars are an online learning experience for anyone who wants to become an effective advocate for ending hunger and poverty through public policy. At the seminars, you will:

  • Hear discussions with experts from a variety of career paths and backgrounds, and how they use their voices and expertise to combat hunger
  • Learn about timely issues related to domestic and global hunger
  • Discover the work of Zero Hunger Interns through their final presentations
  • Become familiar with the work of anti-hunger organizations at work in the United States and around the world
  • Develop your skills as a leader, guided by the Hunger Center’s leadership capabilities model
  • Earn a certificate of completion from the Hunger Center

Be THe Change

To reach zero hunger, we need bold leaders who understand the systems that contribute to food insecurity and can develop solutions and lead change in our organizations, programs, and policies. By attending the Zero Hunger Summer Seminars, you are gaining the insight and skills to be a successful anti-hunger advocate in your community and beyond.

Right: Zero Hunger Intern Chido Shamuyarira delivers her final presentation, August 2019

 

2022 Zero Hunger Summer Seminars


Schedule of Events

We'll be announcing the dates and topics of our 2022 Summer Seminars soon. Make sure to join our mailing list to get all the latest updates related to the seminars, Zero Hunger Academy, and the rest of the Hunger Center's programs.
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2023 Zero Hunger Summer Seminars


Schedule of Events

June 711 a.m. — 1 p.m. EDT Introduction to Domestic Hunger Policy
June 1411 a.m. — 1 p.m. EDT Racial Wealth Gap Simulation
June 2111 a.m. — 1 p.m. EDT Root Causes of Hunger in the U.S. and Globally
June 2811 a.m. — 1 p.m. EDT Examining Power and Privilege in International Development
July 1211 a.m. — 1p.m. EDT Ethical Storytelling for Advocates
July 2611 a.m. — 1 p.m. EDT Zero Hunger Intern Presentations

Over six weeks in summer 2023, we'll be covering the essential knowledge for effective advocates for zero hunger. All sessions will be available online and accessible, along with pre-reading, through the Zero Hunger Academy Platform starting June 1.

Enroll in The 2023 summer seminars

2021 Zero Hunger Summer Seminars


Schedule of Events

Our five session seminar will take place from June 11 to July 30, 2021. To attend one or all of the sessions, get started by creating a profile or logging in to our Zero Hunger Academy platform. Once you're enrolled, you'll be able to access pre-reading, homework assignments, and discussion boards for each of the sessions. If you complete four or more sessions, you will receive a certificate of completion from the Hunger Center to recognize your achievement.

Session One

U.S. Hunger and Network Building for Social Change

June 11, 2021 9:00 am — 1:00 pm ET

For our first session of the series, we will introduce the program and our values and goals for the summer. Our expert speakers will provide an overview of food security in the United States from the perspective of federal policy advocates. You will also get an overview of networking and its importance, both for creating systemic change and developing your own professional contacts.

Photo: Carrie Calvert

Carrie Calvert

Vice President, Government Relations
Feeding America

Photo: Chonya Davis Johnson

Chonya Davis Johnson

Senior Domestic Policy Advisor
Bread for the World

Photo: Minerva Delgado

Minerva Delgado

Director of Coalitions & Advocacy
Alliance to End Hunger

Photo: Shannon Maynard

Shannon Maynard

Executive Director
Congressional Hunger Center

Photo: Minerva Delgado

Ellen Teller

Director of Government Affairs
Food Research & Action Center

Session Two

Global Hunger and Its Root Causes

June 25, 2021 9:00 am — 1:00 pm ET

This session will introduce key concepts in approaching global hunger and explore the main drivers of hunger around the world. You will also meet Mickey Leland International Hunger Fellows and learn how their work plans approach global food security from many different angles. 

Photo: James Wangu

James Wangu

PhD Researcher, Inclusive agribusiness, food and nutrition security Utrecht University

Photo: 10th Class Leland Hunger Fellows

10th Class Mickey Leland International Hunger Fellows

Learn More

Session Three

Root Causes of Hunger in the United States

July 9, 2021 9:00 am — 1:00 pm ET

In this session, we will explore how race impacts food security in the United States, and we will deep dive into four root causes/lenses of hunger. Using the Racial Wealth Gap Learning Simulation, we will explore the role the racial wealth gap plays in leaving communities of color vulnerable to food insecurity. Then, experts in the field of hunger will introduce us to four major root causes/lenses of hunger: hunger in Native American communities, hunger within immigrant communities, low-wage jobs as a driver of hunger, and gender inequality as a driver of hunger.

Sarah Hassmer Headshot

Sarah Hassmer

Senior Counsel for Income Security
National Women's Law Center

Lexie Holden Headshot

Lexie Holden

Emerson National Hunger Fellow
Food Research & Action Center

Renato Rocha Headshot

Renato Rocha

Senior Policy Analyst
Center for Law and Social Policy

Sam Stevens Headshot

Sam Stevens

Manager, Strategic Initiatives and Policy
Congressional Hunger Center

Session Four

Policy and the U.S. Government Approach to Global Food Security

July 16, 2021 9:00 am — 1:00 pm ET

In this session, we will first explore the United States government’s approach to global food security. We will host a panel that explores how public service can be used as a tool of social change, with an emphasis on change related to food security.

Photo: Morgan Kinross-Wright

Morgan Kinross-Wright

VP Community Relations & Executive Director
Land O’Lakes Foundation

Photo: Gawain Kripke

Gawain Kripke

Consultant
Double Dogwood LLC

Photo: Ricardo Quinto

Ricardo Quinto

Senior Lead, Public Policy and Product Communications
SoFi

No Photo

Nary Rath

Program Manager
SEARAC

Photo: Ridhwan Sedique

Ridhwan Sedique

Litigation Assistant
Natural Resources Defense Council

Session Five

Storytelling, Social Change, and End of Summer Presentations

July 30, 2021 9:00 am — 1:00 pm ET

Our final session will examine the power of personal storytelling as a tool for advocacy. We will also see final presentations from the 4th Class of Zero Hunger Interns, who will demonstrate practical plans for using advocacy to reduce food insecurity in their home communities.

Yolanda Gordon

Yolanda Gordon

Senior Associate, Expansion and Advocacy
RESULTS

Zero Hunger Interns

2021 Zero Hunger Interns

Meet the Interns

Thank You


We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation for their generous support of the Zero Hunger Summer Seminars.
 
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