English - oct17.org

THE SECRETARY-GENERAL, IN A MESSAGE TO MARK THE INTERNATIONAL DAY, CALLS FOR CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN GLOBAL EFFORTS FOR THE ERADICATION OF POVERTY, 10 October 2007. At the dawn of the Millennium, world leaders made bold pledges to the world’s poor.

They pledged a world where all children complete their elementary education; a world where people have access to safe drinking water, and families are protected from deadly diseases like malaria; a world where nations work together to cut greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming. Above all, our leaders promised a world where people are no longer condemned to a life of extreme and egregious poverty.

This year, International Day for the Eradication of Poverty falls just after the midpoint in the race to reach those commitments — the Millennium Development Goals — by the target date of 2015. The Day provides an important opportunity to take stock of our progress, and to re-energize our efforts.[...]

Today, the world must refocus its attention, and its resources, on the places and people that are being left behind. As we do, we must bear in mind that none are more committed to ending poverty than the poor themselves. [...]

As suggested by the theme for this year’s observance, we have to view people living in poverty as agents of change. This requires us to encourage national ownership of development strategies. It requires citizens to actively participate in policy-making, and Governments to become more accountable to their citizens in their efforts to achieve the Millennium Goals. [...]

Today, we join hands with the poor in a collective effort — one which brings in civil society, the private sector, and individuals around the world. [...]

On this 20th International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, let us all stand up. Let us demonstrate the political will required to end the scourge of poverty once and for all.

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The complete message can be seen at : http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/social/intldays/IntlDay/2007/sgmessage.html