The price of food has a human cost

Former United Nations High Commissioner of Human Rights and former President of Ireland Mary Robinson tells "The Takeaway" why, on a global level, rising food prices may be next biggest threat to our human rights. Guest: Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland, former United Nations High Commissioner of Human Rights.

Fresh from a gathering of the Elders, a group established by Nelson Mandela and his wife Graca Machel, Robinson speaks of a new initiative they have put in place. The Elders count among their members former US President Jimmy Carter, Desmond Tutu, and Kofi Annan. To mark the 60th anniversary of the declaration of human rights, they are devoting an entire month to highlight each of those rights, one of which is freedom from hunger.

"Freakonomics" author and "The Takeaway" contributor Stephen Dubner also chimes in on the situation, asking, "Why has this spike in food prices taken everyone by such surprise?"

"The Takeaway" is PRI’s new national morning news program, delivering the news and analysis you need to catch up, start your day, and prepare for what’s ahead. The show is a co-production of WNYC and PRI, in editorial collaboration with the BBC, The New York Times Radio, and WGBH.

More at thetakeaway.org