Europaworld 22/2/2002 JAMES T. MORRIS

James T. Morris will soon take over as the head of the World Food Programme (WFP) - the key UN agency in the fight to eradicate global hunger. With some 800 million people in the world currently going hungry every day, his task is not a light one. In the year 2000 alone, WFP fed 83 million people in 83 countries, including most of the world's refugees and internally displaced people.

Mr Morris was born in Indiana, where he was educated and later studied Political Science. After receiving a first degree, he went on to gain an MBA from Butler University before joining the Indianapolis city government where he quickly became chief-of-staff for the city's mayor. In 1973 he undertook a career change when he became a director of community development for Lilly Endowment, Inc - one of the world's largest charitable foundations.

Over the next sixteen years he moved to vice president, executive vice president and finally president of the foundation. He served in that role for four years, before undertaking another appointment as chairman and chief executive officer of IWC Resources Corporation and Indianapolis Water Company. Under his leadership, IWC grew to a $200 million holding company with 2,500 employees. As its head Mr Morris was responsible for developing several strategic growth initiatives and enhancing employee development through recognition programmes, diversification, human relations and educational opportunities.

Some of these management and organisation skills have also been put to use in the voluntary sector, notably when James Morris was affiliated with the United States Olympic Committee as treasurer and as chairman of the audit and ethics committee. Amongst other voluntary activities he has undertaken, James Morris is also a member of the Board of Governors of the American Red Cross, and is chairman of the Board of Trustees of Indiana University.

On 14 February this year, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf announced his appointment as the new Executive Director of WFP. This followed consultations with the agency's executive board of 36 member countries, Mr. Morris will succeed Catherine Bertini, the first U.S. national to head the Rome-based programme, whose second five-year term will end in March.

James T. Morris is married to Jacqueline Harrell Morris. They have three children and four grandchildren. Amongst the immediate challenges that he will face in his new role will be providing assistance to the 7.5 million Afghans that the agency estimate to be in need as well as contending with the threats of famine in the Horn of Africa. EuropaWorld wishes Mr Morris well in his tasks of meeting these needs and working towards WFP's vision of a world without hunger.