The Winthrop Rockefeller Institute and the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service will partner to present the fifth Under 40 Forum on February 20-21.
The program asks honorees of the annual Forty Under 40 lists published by Arkansas Business and the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal to collaboratively examine issues facing Arkansas and to identify strategies to address those issues. This year’s emphasis will be on poverty and food insecurity.
Ronnie Dedman, President of AT&T Arkansas, will keynote the event, speaking about AT&T’s Believe Arkansas initiative to fight hunger in Arkansas, which is part of AT&T’s national effort to inspire positive change in local communities. Mr. Dedman and the work of AT&T will demonstrate for the participants how business leaders can take an active role in addressing systemic issues of poverty and hunger, and inspire them to use their talents and connections to make an impact in their own Arkansas communities.
Dr. Robert Richards will evaluate one part of the Under 40 Forum, a facilitated dialogue session using the National Issues Forum’s “Land of Plenty” issue guide that examines policy options to ensure that food systems work for everyone.
During the dialogue, Under 40 Forum attendees will read Arkansas-specific briefing materials about the issue of hunger, as well as policy options and action steps for reducing hunger in the state. The attendees will then engage in discussions, facilitated by Clinton School students Farrah Beck and Samantha Black, about those materials. Richards will assess how participation in this dialogue affects attendees’ thinking and actions regarding hunger in Arkansas.
Clinton School graduate Emily English (’09), an assistant professor with UAMS and core partner for Arkansas Farm to School Network, will be joined Kathy Web of AR Hunger Relief Alliance and Nate Coulter of the Central Arkansas Library System to highlight current efforts in Arkansas addressing food insecurity and improving our food systems.
Dr. Nichola Driver, Faculty Director for the Office of Community Engagement, and Nikolai DiPippa, Director of Public Programs and Strategic Partnerships, will also be in attendance.
“Though poverty and hunger continue to be major challenges in Arkansas, it’s worth highlighting some important work being done including that of Clinton School graduate Emily English, who is one of the panelists,” Clinton School Dean James L. “Skip” Rutherford III said. “We’re pleased to join the Winthrop Rockefeller Institute, Arkansas Business, and the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal in sponsoring this forum.”
To learn more about the program, visit RockefellerInstitute.org.
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