Wheaton College

Symposium in Human Needs and Global Resources

Sponsored by John Deere

In 2005 Wheaton College received an endowment from the John Deere Foundation to hold an annual Symposium in Human Needs and Global Resources (HNGR). The intent of the grant is to advance the critical thinking needed to address world hunger through agricultural and economic development. This will be accomplished by engaging faculty and students in strategically thinking through the theoretical and practical challenges of global economic, social, and political development, including themes in both rural and urban contexts, relating to world hunger, food production, agriculture, water resources, urbanization, environment, health and conflict.

HNGR Symposia: Lectures, Reflections, Outcomes

	2009: Enabling Local Vision, Effecting Global Change The 2009 Symposium will center on the theme of holistic community health and its relationship to global hunger, poverty, and development. Three Regional Coordinators from our longstanding host partner, Luke Society, will join us to discuss the importance of supporting local vision in order to effect sustainable development.
	2008: My Land, My People How does property ownership and resource management connect to food security and political stability? The 2008 HNGR Symposium explored the intersection between property rights, land policy, and poverty alleviation. Visiting scholar Dr. Aklilu Dalelo, of the University of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia gave the plenary address.
	2007: My Neighbor First! The main conclusion agreed upon by participants in our first HNGR Symposium is that neighborliness is at the heart of transformational development. During the 2007 Symposium we explored this idea further with the help of Dr. Jim De Vries of Heifer International, one of HNGR's long-term partners.
	2006: Reflections from our Journey, Visioning a Future The inaugural HNGR Symposium was held on the occasion of HNGR's 30th anniversary. The Rev. Dr. Vinay Samuel gave the plenary address, "Transforming our Cultures: a Gospel Imperative."