“Wherever men and women are condemned to live in extreme poverty, human rights are violated. To come together to ensure that these rights be respected is our solemn duty.”Today celebrates the 20th anniversary of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. The first commemoration in 1987 was held in Paris, France where 100,000 people gathered to give a voice to those who live in extreme poverty. Officially recognized by the United Nations in 1992, the event has grown in partnership with other organizations and events are held around the world each year.– Joseph Wresinski
This year at the United Nations, delegates and staff members will be asked to participate in the “Stand Up” event, in which 23.5 million people in more than 100 countries participated last year, setting a Guinness World Record. The organizers hope to break that record, with people all over the world standing up to remind their Governments of the commitments they undertook in the 2000 Millennium Declaration to halve the number of people living in extreme poverty by 2015. According to the United Nations, some 980 million people still live in extreme poverty, or on less than $1 a day.
Children International is proud to be partners with over 250,000 committed sponsors. With your generous support, we will continue to serve children and their families who suffer from poverty. Together, we will give them a voice to tell their stories. That’s our commitment. So, stand with us as we fight to end poverty.
How are you going to stand up against poverty?
Painting by former sponsored child, Carlo Orcena, from the Philippines.
3 comments:
Each of us has a powerful tool to use to help break the cycle of poverty in this world-OUR voice. Telling others about the mission and goals of Children International and the many other similar humanitarian organizations around the world is powerful. I personally don't have great financial resources to offer(I wish I could sponsor many more children!!), but I CAN educate and encourage others to STAND UP against poverty by sponsoring a child. It's a small contribution with big returns. Together we can our world.
THANK YOU CI staff and board for your amazing efforts. Keep up the good work.
The results are in! Over 38.8 million people, in 110 countries have broken the Guinness World Record – set last year at 23.5 million - for the largest number of people to “STAND UP AGAINST POVERTY” in 24 hours.
Just standing up for poverty is not the answer though, that just raises awareness. What those 38.8 million people need to do is examine their own lives and lifestyles and see how they can change the lives of the poor. You can't expect that governments will do something about it, individuals need to do what they can to improve the lives of others...sponsor a child, provide for a home income generating business, contribute to the HOPE fund. That may mean giving something up for oneself so that you can contribute more to help others.
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