English - oct17.org

The United Nations Secretary-General receives the results of the Call To Action campaign in New York.

"Today we are here with you, not only to speak about the poverty we experience or to evoke only the hardship we live. We are here to share with you the importance that this day has for us, a day where our voices are heard, a day to open our hearts and our minds to the suffering, struggles and courage of the poorest families. We are here to pledge our solidarity to all people who, throughout the world, strive to eradicate extreme poverty," declared Adonis Salas (ATD Fourth World Delegate, Philippines) to Mr Ban Ki-Moon, the United Nations Secretary-General during the Stand Up and Speak Out against Poverty event organized by the United Nations Millenium Campaign, on October 17, 2007 at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

A short time later, Mr Ban Ki-Moon received the signatures of the campaign "Ending Extreme Poverty, a Road to Peace" during a meeting with a delegation from the International Movement ATD Fourth World, which included Adonis Salas.

The Secretary General reaffirmed his commitment that the fight against extreme poverty needs to be widened in order to reach the Millenium Development Goals. Around the world, shanty towns and places with indecent living conditions persist. "The gap between these people and the rich is unacceptable."

He thanked everyone who had signed the Call to Action: "140,000 signatures, its very important”. In his statement on the day he emphasised “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. (Civil society) is sending messages or signing petitions that call on their leaders to keep their promises. They are calling for the actions of citizens to be matched by the actions of Governments, in developing and developed countries alike, in support of the Millennium Development Goals.”

ATD Fourth World Movement delegates asked the United Nations to listen to the requests of people living in poverty. They asked that the dynamic of October 17th be strengthened because "we do not want to be excluded, neither do we want to be objects of charity ", and that the Secretary-General support the work of human rights bodies in promoting the draft guiding principles “Extreme poverty and human rights, the rights of the poor”.

Photo Charles Courtney, President of the Fourth World Movement USA, Thierry Viard, Executive Secretary, Susie Devins, Deputy Director General, Geneviève Gimelle (France, Rennes, member of the Fourth World People’s University) Nina Lim Yuson, Philippines, President, International Movement ATD Fourth World, Mr Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General, Adonis Salas, Philippines, member of ATD Fourth World, Ruth Mores (Neneng), Philippines, member of ATD Fourth World, Suzelle Midy, Haiti, member of ATD Fourth World, Catherine Divers, UK, member of ATD Fourth World, Gilda Mennella, France, Marseille, member of the Fourth World People’s University, Vicki Soanes, ATD Fourth World representative to the United Nations, New York.