Getting Beyond Politics: Creating Lasting Impact in North Korea

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Feed the Children, a leading anti-hunger organization, today co-hosted a Capitol Hill briefing with Pyongyang University of Science and Technology (PUST), followed by a roundtable with the U.S.-Korea Institute at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), the National Committee on North Korea, and PUST to discuss the importance of furthering humanitarian efforts and education on the Korean Peninsula.

The Hill briefing was attended by policy staff from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Relations Committee in the Capitol Visitor's Center. Corey Gordon, Feed the Children's Chief Marketing Officer, provided opening remarks about current humanitarian programs in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). James Chin-Kyung Kim, President of PUST, shared his insights on the transformational landscape of education in North Korea and how humanitarian efforts provide critical foundational support.

Feed the Children has embarked on a new effort in DPRK to provide food shipments to children's centers. Realizing that education alone is not a holistic solution, President Kim invited Feed the Children to North Korea to provide expertise in combating childhood malnutrition. In an effort to maximize efficiencies in reaching more kids in need, Feed the Children plans to establish an office in South Korea to serve across the Korean Peninsula.

"The important linkage between humanitarian efforts and educational programs in North Korea has never been more apparent," said PUST President Kim. "We should use all levers available to effect positive change and provide for the needs of young people through love."

While President Kim has briefed two U.S. Secretaries of State, this marks the first time he's provided a Hill briefing and the first international briefing on the Hill by Corey Gordon and Feed the Children.

In the afternoon at SAIS, President Kim of PUST and Corey Gordon of Feed the Children joined Norman Neureiter, Acting Director of American Association for the Advancement of Science, and Randall Spadoni, Senior Regional Advisor for East Asia at World Vision, for a roundtable moderated by Alexandre Mansourov, Visiting Scholar with U.S.-Korea Institute at SAIS. Audience members included representatives from the National Committee on North Korea, along with current and former Ambassadors, Hill staffers, and Korean-American community supporters. The discussion focused on the important work by non-governmental organizations and academic institutions in making critical linkages to enable effective education, development and humanitarian efforts.

"Today's discussion and participation by so many pivotal organizations demonstrates how civil society is essential in filling the gaps to provide all children with the opportunities needed to succeed," said Corey Gordon, Feed the Children's Chief Marketing Officer. "To help achieve our goals, we work with partners that have the expertise and understanding of all aspects important to feed those who need it most."

Providing humanitarian assistance in the DPRK is of critical importance because the country has the highest malnutrition rates in the world. As reported by the DPR Korea United Nations Country Team in 2013, chronic malnutrition (stunting) rate among children under five is 27.9 percent and 4 percent for acutely malnourished (wasting).

More information on Feed the Children can be found by visiting www.feedthechildren.org, in addition to www.facebook.com/feedthechildren and @feedthechildren.

ABOUT FEED THE CHILDREN

Feed the Children is one of the world's leading anti-hunger organizations, dedicated to creating a world where no child goes to bed hungry. Since 1979, Feed the Children has grown into one of the largest U.S. based charities, accredited by GuideStar Exchange, the BBB Wise giving Alliance and a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator. By banding together with partners, donors and communities to defeat hunger, Feed the Children distributed over $344 million in food, essentials, educational supplies, and medicine to over 10 million individuals in the United States and 18 other countries in fiscal year 2013. Visit http://www.feedthechildren.org/ for more information.

SOURCE Feed the Children

Related Links

http://www.feedthechildren.org

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