The Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies at Indiana University Bloomington will present the Morris Humanitarian Award to Governor David Beasley, former executive director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), on March 3. The event will include a fireside chat with Beasley, who led the WFP when it received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2020 for its work fighting hunger and preventing food from being used as a weapon during conflict.
Beasley is expected to discuss his experiences in diplomacy and humanitarian action, focusing on issues such as famine, local service projects addressing food insecurity, and the relationship between hunger, migration, and economic stability. The event is scheduled for 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Shreve Auditorium in the Global & International Studies Building. Admission is free but registration is requested by February 25.
During his time as executive director of the WFP, Beasley oversaw significant changes in the agency’s operations to address growing needs caused by conflict and climate change. He managed a budget that enabled assistance to more than 150 million people each year.
“Governor Beasley’s career reflects the kind of principled, courageous leadership our school seeks to understand, teach, and inspire,” said Hamilton Lugar School Dean John Ciorciari. “He has rightly reframed food security not just as a charitable obligation, but as a basic requirement for global peace and a test of our shared humanity.”
The Morris Humanitarian Award honors individuals who exemplify bipartisan cooperation and international service. It is named after James T. Morris, an Indiana University alumnus and trustee who also served as executive director of the WFP.
Indiana University Bloomington serves as a public research university that welcomes students from all U.S. states and over 150 countries. The campus features historic limestone architecture and plays an important role in Indiana’s economy and cultural life (official website). The university emphasizes research, creativity, innovation, and community engagement across undergraduate through professional programs (official website).
This year’s award follows last year’s inaugural presentation honoring Charles Owubah, president and CEO of Action Against Hunger USA.
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