Bhilwara Rajasthan Sangam University Joins UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty Event

Online, November 1, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Through resolution 47/196 adopted on 22 December 1992, the General Assembly declared 17 October as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. The theme chosen for the 2012 observance is "Ending the Violence of Extreme Poverty: Promoting Empowerment and Building Peace". Extreme poverty perpetuates a cycle of violence and discrimination that often marginalizes the human rights of women and children living in poverty. It destroys the lives and spirit of people; it kills more children, young persons, and adults than any war.

Every day, people living in extreme poverty are challenged and threatened by lack of food, shelter and access to essential services. They endure hazardous working conditions and live in precarious, degraded and insecure living environments. This day indeed presents an opportunity to acknowledge the effort and struggle of people living in poverty, a chance for them to make their concerns heard, and a moment to recognize that poor people are the first ones to fight against poverty.

In the year 2000, world leaders agreed on a set of eight time-bound targets, known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), to fight poverty and disease. For over a decade, the MDGs have helped millions to improve their lives, showing that beating poverty is possible. The 8 Millennium Development Goals are: End Poverty and Hunger, Universal Education, Gender Equality, Child Health, Maternal Health, Combat HIV/AIDS, Environmental Sustainability and Global Partnership. To eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, the Target 1.A is to Halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of people whose income is less than $1 a day; Target 1.B is to Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all, including women and young people; while Target 1.C is Halve, between 1990 and 2015, the proportion of people who suffer from hunger.

To mark the occasion of International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on 17 October 2012, Prof BR Natarajan President - Vice Chancellor Sangam University Bhilwara Rajasthan shared with the students the significance of the day and urged them to Join the United Nations for a one-day social media action to raise awareness about the progress made and the challenges that remain in the fight against poverty by donating their Facebook / Twitter profiles to send MDG / Poverty Day messages that we can #EndPoverty.