WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 22, 2010) – David Beckmann, president of Bread for the World, a significant partner with Covenant World Relief, has been named the 2010 World Food Prize Laureate.

The World Food Prize is the foremost international award that honors individuals who have advanced human development by improving the quality, quantity, or availability of food in the world. Past laureates include former U.S. Senators Robert Dole and George McGovern in 2008.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivered keynote remarks during the ceremony in Washington, D.C., accompanied by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Rajiv Shah.

Beckmann is a visionary yet humble leader, says Debbie Blue, executive minister of the Department of Compassion, Mercy, and Justice of the Evangelical Covenant Church and a member of Bread’s board.

“From David’s perspective, we – meaning all members of Bread from the grassroots, individuals, local congregations to denominational partners – are the true recipients of the award as faithful advocates of ending hunger,” Blue says.

The partnership with Bread has been an important collaboration, she adds. “We are deeply grateful for the fruitful partnership we have had with Bread and how that partnership continues to grow stronger as we join forces to ‘change history for hungry people.’ ”

Attendees to the Covenant’s 125th Annual Meeting this week will have an opportunity to participate in Bread’s Offering of Letters.

Beckmann has been president of Bread for the World for 19 years and has served at the World Bank on projects to reduce poverty. He founded and serves as president of the Alliance to End Hunger, helped found the ONE campaign with Bono, and appears regularly in mainstream and religious media.

Beckmann shares this year’s honor with Jo Luck, president of Heifer International.