Ep 15: A Conversation with Gov. David Beasley, former World Food Programme Executive Director

The Aid Market Podcast

David Beasley, former Executive Director of the World Food Program, discusses global food security and international development.

Beasley highlights the progress made in the past 200 years but emphasizes the current challenges and the need for strategic and effective international development. He highlights the importance of stabilizing environments, providing hope, and addressing issues like mass migration, famines, war, conflict, COVID implications, and climate shocks.

Beasley shares insights into his messaging strategy to secure funding, stressing the cost-effectiveness of investing in international aid for both humanitarian and national security reasons.

This episode is co-hosted by the Society for International Development - United States (https://sidw.org/).

TIMESTAMPS:

• [01:47] Discussion on global food security and international development challenges.
• [02:27] Emphasis on the urgency and importance of international development at the current global crossroads.
• [03:51] Messaging strategy for discussing the role of international development and foreign aid funding with political leaders.
• [07:01] Priorities during Beasley's tenure as the Executive Director of the World Food Program.
• [09:29] Efforts to raise funds strategically and the success in raising $14.4 billion.
• [11:06] Tailoring the message to different constituencies and the importance of flexibility in international aid programs.
• [14:28] Nomination by Nikki Haley for the role of Executive Director of the World Food Program.
• [17:27] The effectiveness of using food as a tool for peace and reconciliation among Democrats and Republicans.
• [19:44] Beasley's involvement in addressing the Ukraine situation, focusing on economic factors and the impact on global food security.
• [20:21] The potential consequences of the conflict in Ukraine on fertilizer production, fuel costs, and food prices globally.
• [22:21] Concerns about the distraction of war and conflict affecting fundraising for humanitarian programs.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Beasley emphasizes the need for strategic and effective international development to address current global challenges, including mass migration, famines, war, conflict, COVID implications, and climate shocks.
• The messaging strategy for securing funding involves demonstrating the cost-effectiveness of international aid, aligning with national security interests, and emphasizing success stories.
• The Ukraine conflict poses significant risks to global food security due to disruptions in fertilizer production, increased fuel costs, and the destabilization of food-producing regions. The impact extends beyond the immediate conflict zone to affect vulnerable populations worldwide.

RESOURCES:

Aid Market Podcast

Mike Shanley - LinkedIn

Society for International Development

Guest Bio:

David Muldrow Beasley (born February 26, 1957) is an American politician and the former Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme.[1] A member of the Republican Party, he served one term as the 113th Governor of South Carolina from 1995 until 1999 before losing reelection to Democrat Jim Hodges. He also served as a state representative from 1981 until 1995.

Early life

Beasley was born in Lamar, South Carolina. He is the son of Richard Lee Beasley and Jacqueline (Blackwell) Beasley. He graduated from Lamar High School in 1975, then attended the Capitol Page School in Washington, DC while serving as a page in the U.S. Congress.[2]

Early political career

Elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives at age 20, Beasley transferred from Clemson University to the University of South Carolina where he received a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies in 1979 and a J.D. from the School of Law in 1983.[3] Beasley was a member of the South Carolina House representing the Society Hill area from 1979 until 1995, serving as majority whip from 1985 to 1986 and the majority leader from 1987 to 1989.[4] He served as the youngest Speaker pro tempore and Majority Leader in the nation.[5]

During the 1991–92 legislative session Beasley switched to the Republican Party.[6] During the 1994 election for governor, both Beasley and his Democratic opponent Lieutenant Governor Nick Theodore faced tough primary opposition within their respective parties. Beasley defeated his toughest competitor, former congressman and state senator Arthur Ravenel Jr., in both the primary and run-off, and went on to win the general election by a narrow margin of 50%–48%.[6]

Governor

South Carolina had a strong economy while Beasley was governor, with unemployment at a record-low 3.5% in 1998. [7] Beasley often made known his Christ-centered beliefs and conservatism in a state known for its strong ties to Christianity and conservative politics.[8]

Beasley strongly opposed gambling, which was legal in South Carolina until 2002.[9] At the time, many gas stations, convenience stores, and poker "casinos" were established across the state, and as Beasley supported legislation that would outlaw gambling, the video poker industry generated "Ban Beasley" billboards and radio ads.[10]