Wednesday, 17 October 2007
STAND UP and SPEAK OUT against poverty

On 16 and 17 October 38.8 million people in 110 countries around the world stood up and spoke out in support of the UN Millennium Development Goals. The event broke 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.

'Stand Up and Speak Out' is a growing movement of people no longer prepared to stay seated or silent in the face of poverty and inequality. The campaign calls on governments to keep their promises to make the MDGs possible.

The MDGs, agreed seven years ago by world leaders at the UN Millennium Summit, are eight time-bound objectives which range from halving world poverty to cutting child mortality, achieving universal primary education and ensuring environmental sustainability.

A London event with UN Deputy Secretary-General Dr Asha Rose Migiro took place on Wednesday, 17 October - the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. A giant white band - the worldwide symbol of anti-poverty campaigning - was held up around the iconic City Hall building near Tower Bridge.

For more information about the campaign, and photos of the Stand Up event from around the world, visit www.standagainstpoverty.org

The 'Stand Up and Speak Out' campaign is organised by the UN Millennium Campaign and the Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP).