Opera star promotes UN's poverty fight

Ireland On Line


World-renowned opera singer Luciano Pavarotti is set to use his concert in Dublin today to promote an international commitment to free people from extreme poverty.

During the concerts today and Saturday, the tenor – a UN Messenger of Peace - will screen public service announcements highlighting the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals.

Eight goals were laid out in the Millennium Declaration, which promised to free men, women and children from extreme poverty and committed rich and poor nations to working together to achieve them.

The declaration was signed at the UN Millennium Summit in 2000 by 189 heads of state, who promised to work together to make a better world by 2015.

The announcements – part of the UN’s “only with your voice” campaign – will be made at Pavarotti’s last Irish concerts at the Point Theatre.

The singer has offered to show UN public service announcements and promotional videos during his worldwide farewell tour of more than 40 concerts held this year and in 2006, before he retires.

Eveline Herfkins, the UN Secretary General’s executive co-ordinator for the Millennium Campaign said: “We are the first generation that can end poverty.

“Today the world has the money, the know-how and the plan.

“But we are falling behind, as in many countries there is not enough political will to make this into a reality.

“So it is of great importance that people in the world add their “voices against poverty” to make sure that this important message is multiplied and heard.

“This great opportunity given by Pavarotti, during his series of concerts, to bring this to his audiences and add his great voice to this great cause, is of great importance to reach many people around the world,” she said.

Pavarotti was made a Messenger of Peace by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in 1998 in recognition of his work to promote UN causes and his contribution to humanitarian projects.