Brazil to bring the good news of Bolsa Familia to the UN

There will be at least one state leader who will address the UN Millennium Development Goal assembly with good news. Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is expected to tell the world that they are way ahead of the 2015 deadline of meeting the goals.

From the Inter Press Service, reporter Thalif Deen writes about what has attributed to Brazil's success.

Brazil attributes much of its success on the government's cash transfer programme called "Bolsa Familia". Since 2003, the ministry has invested over 103 billion dollars in this social protection programme, reaching out to more than 70 million people living in poverty.

Marie Pierre Poririer of the U.N. children's agency UNICEF says the world's largest income transfer programme in Brazil has resulted in significant progress in education, health, social development and the fight against hunger.

"This single programme, which focuses on Brazil's poorest social groups, has significantly reduced poverty and social inequality in Brazil, and has been recognised nationally and internationally for its success," says Poririer, who is based in Brazil.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the European Forum last week that the global financial crisis has resulted in "grave setbacks" for MDGs worldwide. This year alone, an additional 64 million people will fall into extreme poverty, he warned.

But Brazil apparently has survived the global financial crisis - at least judging by its economic performance.

Brazilian Finance Minister Guido Mantega was quoted last week as saying the country's economy will grow by at least 7.0 percent this year, which he described as "the best performance in 24 years, and without inflation."

Of the world's biggest economies, only China is doing better, he conceded.