International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is being recognized around the world today. Events even continue onto the weekend as the "Stand Up Against Poverty" campaign takes place.
A story in the Afrique en ligne has a good overview on both events.
The events, in which the UN and its partners will participate, will hold simultaneously around the world.
In Lagos, Nigeria, a concert hosted by popular musician Femi Kuti to make "Music Against Poverty" will commemorate the life of renowned Nigerian Musician Fela Kuti and Stand Up in support of the MDGs.
In Tema, Ghana, "Games Against Poverty" will use sport as a platform to support the MDGs.
In the United States, students will join a campus challenge to build political will to end extreme poverty by hosting teach-ins and events across America, and in India, members of the Art of Living Foundation, one of the largest spiritual movements in the world, will mobilise to plant more than 100 million trees around the globe.
Also, groups across Europe - from Portugal to Germany, will mobilise to demand more and better aid.
We encourage you to find an event near you and participate. Only an overwhelming voice of a large collection of people will make politicians take notice... and do something other than make empty promises.
Now on to a few politicians who are saying words today. In Nigeria, President Umaru Yar'adua used this occasion to make a speech. Sunday Williams of the Nigerian paper the Daily Trust provides this quote, which we found on All Africa.
The attainment of the government's vision of becoming one of the top 20 economies in the world by the year 2020 can only be achieved with the eradication of extreme poverty, President Umaru Yar'adua has said.
The President made the remarks yesterday while delivering a keynote address at the all Local Government summit on poverty eradication and International Day for the Eradication of Poverty in Abuja.
He said, "We are resolved to as nation to face up to our development challenges and set the country on the right part to becoming a public grounded democracy and one of the 20 largest economies in the world by year 2020.However, this is only possible when we are perceived in an eradication of extreme poverty which we have resolved to achieve through human capital development, wealth creation, employment creation through appropriate partnership with the private sector."
He said, "Poverty has continued to be endemic to our communities despite the existence of the local government whose constitutional roles is to carry out the activities to improved the livelihood of rural dwellers. At the end of this commemoration, I'm convinced that many local government chairmen will go back home with resolve to address the issue of poverty eradication with more passion."
Lastly, on to Nepal, where Prime Minister Prachanda calls for more coordination. Our snippet comes from the Andhra News from Nepal.
Speaking on the occasion of International Day on Elimination of Poverty here, Prachanda said, "I want to remind all that the policies and programs and budget presented by the government that I am leading also has put poverty alleviation as top priority."
He expressed full commitment to uplift the backward and disadvantaged communities in Nepal.
He also reiterated his commitment to attain the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
"For any country, political stability and the peace process is the foundation for development. The job of institutionalizing peace was therefore very important," he said.
"Judicious investment and the distribution of public resources and services are the first duty of any state in the absence of which poverty-free country cannot be built," he added.
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