Noted author talks of powerlessness The Michigan Daily - Friday, November 17, 1989 - Page 5 University research programs 'healthy' for fiscal year 1989 by Daniel Poux Daily Staff Writer "World hunger is not the result of a scarcity of food, or a scarcity of land; it's due to a scarcity of democ- racy. This was the theme of Frances Moore Lappe's speech last night in Angell Hall. The speech capped off the efforts of the World Hunger Edu- cation Action Committee (WHEAC), on the day of the Interna- tional OXFAM Fast for a World Harvest. Author of such renowned books as Diet for a Small Planet and World Hunger: Twelve Myths, Lappe talked of the absence of ac- countability in our democratic soci- ety. "Government elites and those in power must realize the account- ability of their actions," she said. Lappe, who gave her first public speech here at the University in 1971, spoke of her confidence in what she termed the "the alternate American tradition". Through exam- ples like the women's movement and the civil rights movement, there has always been a feeling of fellow- ship among America's activists, Lappe said. She closed her speech with some suggestions for contemporary social action, and stressed that we "need to see how our own actions can and will lead to the rediscovery and rede- velopment of true democracy." "The people of this country must take the initiative, take action, to make the system work for us. We must put the experts on tap, not on top," she said in closing. In an interview later, Lappe ;ommended the efforts of WHEAC, and made it clear that groups like OXFAM must work harder to end world hunger., "Government-to-government aid is the problem, not the solution. The only aid that has the potential of being effective is people-to-people aid," she said. by Diane Cook Daily Research Reporter JULIE HULLMAN/UaiIY Frances Moore Lappe, noted author and world hunger activist, examines the causes behind world hunger during her speech last evening in Angell Hall, sponsored by WHEAC, the World Hunger Education Action Comm itte e. The University research expendi- ture of $264.5 million during fiscal year 1989 reflected a 12.7 percent in- crease over 1988, said Vice President for Research William Kelly. Fiscal year 1989 was a "health) year" with "continued diversificatior of faculty research funding," he said. "The diversity of the University's research activities is a major con- tributor to the continued capacity foi growth and development," Kelly said, adding that faculty members compete fiercely for funding. "In 1987, when the University began to monitor so-called 'mega- awards' [those exceeding $400,000], there were 50 such awards in thai year. In the fiscal year 1989, two years later, the number doubled to 109 with a total value of $101,000,000," said Kelly. Research support from federal agencies accounted for 67.4 percent ($178.3 million) of the expenditures. Major contributors were Health and Human Services, the National Science Foundation, the Department of Defense, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the Department of Energy. A steady increase in funding from non-federal sources has also con- tributed to the growth. "Following a decline in fiscal 0 o