Fighting hunger seen aiding U.S. image overseas

Politicians and religious leaders said yesterday during a forum on combating global hunger and poverty that the issues are intertwined with alleviating worldwide fear and disdain for the United States and its military forces.

The forum, held at American University, was part of Washington-based anti-hunger organization Bread for the World’s “The Gathering 2007,” a movement to end hunger and poverty in the United States and around the world.

The event, which began Friday with a pre-conference meeting, continues today with a convocation at the National Cathedral, where more than 2,000 participants are expected.

At yesterday’s forum, Sen. Chuck Hagel, Nebraska Republican, told the crowd that helping reduce hunger and poverty abroad would convince people in other countries that U.S. military forces are on their side.

“The United States has been the most generous nation, but some of that generous nature has been out of focus,” he said. “That is what democracy is about — to make a better world … . Iraq’s people see us as occupiers.”

He pointed out that nearly 5 million Iraqis, including doctors and other caregivers, have left the country since the war began.

Former Rep. Harold E. Ford Jr., current chairman of the Democratic Leadership Council, echoed Mr. Hagel’s sentiments and said the U.S. presence in Iraq is more harmful than helpful.

“To help our children and people of the world will enhance the image of the United States,” Mr. Ford said. “It’s better than having the military in foreign countries … . You can’t referee a civil war.”

People of more than 30 religion denominations attended the event.

“Christians don’t have enough ‘oomph’ to end poverty and hunger in our country and around the world,” said the Rev. David Beckmann, the organization’s president.

The event culminates tomorrow with participants converging on Capitol Hill to lobby for reform of U.S. food and farm policy, which Bread for the World says is beneficial mainly to wealthy, subsidized farmers.

The organization says that 35 million Americans — including 12 million children — struggle to get enough to eat, but that 16 percent of the subsidized farmers each have an average net worth of $1,785,000.

In the past six years, Bread for the World has played a large role in the United States’ doubling its funding for poverty assistance, Mr. Beckmann said.