Berkley Center

From 2010 to 2013 Rev. Jim Wallis taught a Georgetown course addressing questions of faith, social justice, and the political process through a series of topical classes. In this class Rev. Wallis analyzes the poverty issue in the United States as a policy challenge and a moral crisis. Churches and other religious communities have played a central role in combating poverty throughout American history, and remain some of the most important social institutions speaking up on behalf of the most vulnerable in modern society. Many of the basic challenges of combating poverty persist, especially building human connections across lines of wealth and class. Some things about the fight against poverty may be changing as well, with new evangelical coalitions working in partnership with a range of religious and secular groups to combat persistent social needs. The challenges today are global as well as local, as things like food pricing and access to heating oil reflect global economic dynamics. In his presentation, Wallis draws on his extensive experience with anti-poverty initiatives at the local, national, and international levels, and emphasizes the importance of new leadership to address a perennial problem. John Carr, Michael Gerson, Kathy Saile, Rev. Adam Taylor, and Beau Underwood were featured guest speakers on the topic.