The 2010 McGovern Conference, "A Crude Reality: Crossing the Gulf to Eco-Friendly Energy," brought together individuals interested in renewable energy options, as well as individuals working in, or just interested in, the renewable energy sector.

Through keynote presentations, films and roundtable discussions participants explored the newest energy options, government policies and recent developments that will lead to a more sustainable, clean and safe energy future for our world.

Speakers addressed the history of energy consumption in America, energy and environmental challenges in the developing nations of Haiti and Kenya, how the recent Gulf of Mexico oil disaster and newly enacted energy policies, as well as the latest technological advances in solar, wind and biofuels continue to shape worldwide energy consumption patterns.

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The 2008 McGovern Conference, “Hungry for Green: Feeding the World Sustainably,” brought together principal experts from a variety of fields to discuss the challenges we face in on-going efforts to end world hunger, while at the same time, producing increasing amounts of food in a profitable and environmentally friendly manner.

This conference was for advocates, educators, practitioners, politicians, policy makers and citizens who support the development of public policy to eliminate global hunger and environmental degradation.

Funding for the 2008 McGovern Conference was provided in part by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

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The 2007 McGovern Conference theme was "The '72 Presidential Campaign: A Living Legacy." Thirty-five years after one of the most one-sided defeats in American presidential electoral history, Senator George McGovern now stands as one of the most respected and revered public servants of our time.

Presenters included Donald T. Critchlow, author of "The Conservative Ascendancy: How the GOP Right Made Political History," Bruce Miroff, author of "The Liberal's Moment: The McGovern Insurgency and the Identity Crisis of the Democratic Party," Curtis Austin, author of "Up Against the Wall: Violence in the Making and Unmaking of the Black Panther Party," and James Armstrong, author of "Feet of Clay on Solid Ground."

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The 2006 McGovern Conference was part of the McGovern Library dedication weekend. The conference took place on Friday, Oct. 6, and was titled “Celebrating a Legacy of Leadership and Service.” Keynote speeches were given by Catherine Bertini, former executive director of the World Food Programme, and Jeffrey D. Sachs, director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University and the UN Millennium Project.

There were several panel discussions, including “Leadership and Service: A Choice for a New Generation” which featured three people under age 40 who have chosen to be involved in public service. The conference also included book discussions and book signings.

Ultimately, the goals of this middle day of the dedication celebration were to honor the lives of service lived by George and Eleanor McGovern, and to encourage future generations to emulate their work.

In 2005, the McGovern Conference took on a timely and difficult topic: the HIV/AIDS pandemic and how hunger relief can help those most in need.

HIV/AIDS is rampant, particularly in developing countries. For every person who has HIV/AIDS, dozens of others are affected - families, neighbors, entire communities. By 2010, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS estimates that 18 million children will have been orphaned by AIDS worldwide. What do poverty-stricken AIDS victims want most? Not clothing, not even drugs … food. Food to regain strength and fight the disease.

Speakers included the Rev. Donald Messer, an expert on hunger and HIV/AIDS, the Rev. Bob Edgar, executive director of the National Council of Churches, and Cade Fields-Gardener, an HIV-specialist dietician.

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The 2004 McGovern Center Conference coincided with the release of the book by the same name and edited by Robert Watson of Florida Atlantic University.

Conference panelists were authors of the book’s chapters and they discussed McGovern's impact on the world … from war hero to college professor, from grassroots politician to anti-hunger activist, from elected official to elder statesman.

Keynote speaker was Al Neuharth, founder of USA Today and the Freedom Forum.

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In 2003, the McGovern Center Conference again tackled the difficult issue of hunger. The focus on feeding the world’s children brought in experts in public policy and private programs to discuss the roles of individuals and groups in tackling this age-old problem that affects our youngest generation.

Keynote speakers in 2003 included James Morris, executive director of the World Food Programme and Eric Bost undersecretary for the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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The first McGovern Center Conference took place Nov. 21 and 22, 2002. During the conference, several hundred people listened to experts discussing the problem of hunger and poverty in the world. Attendees were motivated to pursue ways to help feed the hungry.

Keynote speakers included former U.S. Senators Bob Dole and George McGovern, and Catherine Bertini, former executive director of the World Food Programme.

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