Global Famine - Great Decisions

Welcome to the Global Conversations Series: Looking at World Affairs Through A Humanities Lens.

Using the Foreign Policy Association's Great Decisions topics, this six-part discussion series explores how the intersectionality of global issues and humanities can lead to a more empathetic community. In each global affairs conversation, we will answer the following three questions: 

1. What role does the humanities play in fostering empathy with this week's topic?
2. What is your personal experience with the topic?
3. How might the topic impact individuals in our local community? 

Tonight, we will be discussing Global Famine.

Fears of global food shortages have followed Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which has disrupted grain shipments from the major grain producer. But what about countries and regions that were suffering before this impending shortage? How is famine defined, and how is it different from simple food shortages? What if any remedies are there? By Daniel Maxwell

To prepare for this conversation, read the following:

Download the Glossary

Red Famine: Stalin's War on Ukraine

An exploration of the history of the Holodomor

Famine Early Warning and Response

Drawing on case studies from Ethiopia, Sudan, Chad, Mali, and Kenya (focusing on Turkana district) during the drought years of 1990–91, this book investigates why early warning signals were not translated into timely intervention. It examines, for the first time, the role of early warning information in decision-making processes, particularly within key donor agencies. The book concludes with practical policy recommendations, on who “owns”early warning information, how it is used, and looks at how to speed up the logistics of emergency relief.

Famine in the Twentieth Century

Devereux argues that if famine is to be eradicated during the 21st century, it requires not only technical capacity in terms of food production and distribution, but also substantially more political will, at national and international levels, than has been seen to date.

Hosted in partnership with:

This program has received funding from Utah Humanities (UH).

The UH mission is to strengthen Utah communities by cultivating connections, deepening understanding, and exploring our complex human experience.

For questions, contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..