Over 116 million people stand up against poverty
Mary Robonson participating in a Belfast "Stand Up Take Action"
event with attendees of the Amnesty International Annual Lecture
Copyright: Amnesty International. Photographer: John Baucher
The Elders' Mary Robinson joined Anti-poverty campaigners yesterday, to announce an astounding 116 million people – nearly two percent of the world's population – mobilized at events in 131 countries on October 17-19 as part of “Stand Up and Take Action.”
Speaking in Wednesday's press conference, Mrs. Robinson discussed the unprecedented event in a historic year: "It's marvelous that we are doing this in the 60th anniversary year of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which begins by saying that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. There's no dignity when you live in absolute poverty and don't have medicine for a dying child, (and) hear your children crying at night because they're hungry."
She went on to say: "It's estimated that there are 967 million hungry people in the world: who go to bed hungry; who get up hungry; children crying because they're hungry." If leaders delivered on their aid promises, we'd generate more than enough to deliver on the Millennium Development Goals. "The money is there, it's the political will. Leaders must listen to over 116 million people. I am so proud of all those people who stood up together and showed an example of people power on behalf of those who very much need a change, a true change, in priorities in our world."
Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Chairman of The Elders, said “116 million people demand the right to food, water, health care, education and a life of dignified work for all. 116 million people have stood together to say end extreme poverty. This message must be heard by leaders everywhere – it cannot be ignored.”
