According to the UN and World Bank, 1 billion people lived in extreme poverty worldwide, and according the the US Census, approximately 12 percent of Americans- that's 36.5 million people- lived below the poverty line in 2006. Poverty can be cause and consequence of violence. So, if poverty is so widespread, can we really talk seriously about eliminating violence without eradicating poverty?
Observance of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty began twenty years ago in Paris, France when over 100,000 people gathered to hear a reading of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights and recognize and honor victims of poverty. The main purpose of the day is to draw attention to the international problem of poverty. The UN Department of Public Information and UN Millenium Campaign are again sponsoring their annual event STAND UP AND SPEAK OUT against poverty. Last year, they set the world record when 23 million people participated around the globe.
At Georgetown University, OurMoment will be hosting Stand Up at 1pm in Red Square. "Stand Up" with millions of other people around the world in solidarity against poverty, and make an impact by showing you care.
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One.org is also mobilizing today, for the Global Day of Action Against Poverty and the passage of the Jubilee Act that we talked about in class on Friday. And Reverend David Duncombe is breaking his 40-day fast today. He was fasting in support of the Jubilee Act, which will cancel the debts of some developing nations if it is passed by Congress. If you are interested in debt relief or poverty issues, and if you are looking for a way to become involved, I would encourage you to visit http://www.one.org.
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