SIPA Faculty to Lead Columbia’s Participation in Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty
Columbia University has officially joined the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, with the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) playing a central role in the University’s commitment to addressing these critical global challenges.
Launched in 2024 as a G20 initiative under the leadership of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty builds on Brazil’s longstanding leadership in advancing food security and social inclusion. The Alliance aims to place the eradication of hunger and poverty at the center of international and national policy agendas, with the goal of accelerating progress toward a world free from hunger and poverty.
At the forefront of Columbia’s involvement is Glenn Denning, professor of professional practice in international and public affairs and director of the Master of Public Administration in Development Practice (MPA-DP) program, who will serve as Columbia’s main liaison to the Alliance. Denning emphasizes the importance of evidence-based solutions in addressing hunger and poverty, and highlights Columbia’s ability to translate academic research into actionable policy.
"Food security is the pathway to peace and prosperity,” said Denning. “I was attracted [to this initiative] by the strong emphasis being placed on country-led action and impact. As a contributor to the Alliance’s Knowledge Pillar, Columbia’s faculty and students will collaborate with national partners to build the evidence base for policies and programs that advance food security."
The Alliance membership aligns with Columbia’s recognition that hunger and malnutrition are manifestations of structural poverty and inequality, and reflects the urgent need to accelerate progress on the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly No Poverty (SDG 1) and Zero Hunger (SDG 2). At the recent 10th annual stocktaking of the Agenda 2030, participants called for increased international cooperation and investment. The Alliance is well positioned to respond to the challenge.
SIPA’s MPA-DP program will be among the key University initiatives contributing expertise to the Alliance, alongside the Food for Humanity Initiative at the Columbia Climate School, SIPA’s Institute of Global Politics (IGP), and Columbia Global. These programs will provide crucial knowledge in climate-resilient agricultural technologies, food systems transformation, and capacity building for public sector professionals. Through research, education, and partnerships, SIPA faculty and students will help advance the development of scalable solutions to address hunger and poverty in both the short and long term.
Columbia’s participation in the Alliance represents a voluntary commitment to collaborate with international partners and governments in developing lasting solutions that integrate local, national, and global efforts. This partnership offers SIPA students and faculty a strategic opportunity to directly engage with global policy challenges and contribute to the creation of innovative, evidence-based solutions for global food security and poverty reduction.