"Stand Up Take Action" campaign in Cairo

The “Stand Up Against Poverty” campaign 2009 received impressive support in Egypt from religious leaders, officials, youth organizations, NGOs, schools and universities, and the media.

Four days before its official launch, the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Cairo announced the "Stand Up" campaign to the public and media at a press conference attended by the UN Resident Coordinator, representatives of Muslim and Coptic orthodox religious leaders as well as the National Youth Council.

During the press conference religious leaders expressed their support for the campaign and their appreciation for UN efforts to eradicate poverty in the world. Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Awkaf (Islamic religious Endowments), Dr. Ahmad Abu Seif, Director General of Religious Guidance announced that imams will relay the Stand up against poverty in Friday sermons in more than 50 thousand mosques across Egypt.

Father Paul Sourour of the Egyptian Coptic Orthodox Church said that combating poverty has always been at the heart of the Church’s action and reiterated the willingness of the Coptic Church to support the “Stand Up” campaign in Egypt for the second consecutive year.

UN Resident Coordinator in Egypt, James Rawley briefed the audience about the UN system support to the MDG process in Egypt indicating that the country is on track towards achieving the MDGs particularly MDG1 related to eradicating extreme poverty.

Mr. Fethi Debbabi, UNIC Officer in Charge highlighted the leading role of religious leaders as key partners in promoting the UN global principles and humane initiatives.

The press conference was organized at a cultural center in Cairo, El Sawy Cultural Centre, which dedicated its performances during the three days (16-18 October, 2009) to the “Stand Up” campaign.

On Friday, 16 October 2009, imams in more than 50 thousand mosques in Egypt's 29 Governorates spoke against poverty and called for solidarity following the principles of the Islamic religion. This first day of the Stand Up campaign marked an impressive moment as Friday prayers constitute, in the Muslim countries, a unique moment to reach a huge audience made of the large spectrum of the society and where politicians, private sector, educated and illiterate people gather side by side.

Youth rally at the " Shebab Al Gezira Club" in Cairo

After the prayers, a youth rally took place at a popular youth and sportive area in Cairo " Shebab Al Gezira Club" lead by a national media celebrity with the participation of representatives of the national youth council as well representatives of Muslim and Coptic orthodox religious leaders.

The last day of the campaign witnessed the standing up against poverty during Sunday masses at Egyptian Coptic orthodox churches - with an estimated participation of more than two million - a student “Stand Up” event at the Cairo University as well as in various primary and secondary schools across the country.

Egyptian media both written and audiovisual showed a noticeable interest for the campaign not only through close reporting of the events but also through analysis and special reporting and articles dedicated to poverty.

The UN family in Egypt participated actively in the campaign. Through a close cooperation between the UN Country Team and the UN Communication Group, the “Stand Up” campaign has been on the agenda of the two groups during September and October and many UN agencies held their own stand up events at their premises.

El Presidente del Perú, Alan García, junto con el Coordinador Residente del Sistema ONU en el Perú, Jorge Chediek, y otros Jefes de Agencia de la ONU, durante la presentación del Informe de Avances de los ODMs en el Perú

El sábado 17 de octubre, el Coordinador Residente de las Naciones Unidas en el Perú, Jorge Chediek, en representación del Sistema de las Naciones Unidas, presentó al Presidente de la República, Alan García, los avances que el Perú ha tenido en los últimos cuatro años con respecto a los logros de los Objetivos de Desarrollo del Milenio (ODM).

La ceremonia tuvo lugar en el Salón Dorado de Palacio de Gobierno y el Coordinador Residente estuvo acompañado por representantes de las diversas agencias ONU en el Perú.

Algunos de los puntos destacados son:

• Los niveles de pobreza extrema en el Perú se redujeron del 23% en el año 1991 a 12,6% en el año 2008.
• La meta de desnutrición global registra el 81% de cumplimiento. Sin embargo, la desnutrición crónica afecta a más del 20% de niños y niñas menores de 5 años y el 30,9% de la población tiene déficit calórico.
• La mortalidad en niños menores de cinco años de edad muestra una reducción del 68% entre al año 2006, habiéndose alcanzado la meta ocho años antes de la fecha comprometida.
• En cuanto a la violencia contra la mujer, el informe indica que más del 40% de la población femenina, entre los 15 y 49 años, manifiesta haber sufrido violencia por parte de su cónyuge.

El Informe completo de avances en el cumplimiento de los Objetivos del Milenio se encuentra a disposición de los que deseen consultarlo en la página web del Sistema ONU en el Perú: http://www.onu.org.pe/Publico/Documentos/ListaPublicaciones.aspx.

Balloons released as a symbolic farewell to poverty at the "Stand Up" campaign event held at the Sholokhov Moscow State University of Humanities

On 16 October, the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Moscow, jointly with the UN Resident Coordinator Office in Russian Federation and the Sholokhov Moscow State University of Humanities, organized a “Stand Up” campaign event at the University’s premises. Mr. Karl Kulessa, UNFPA Representative in Russian Federation, focused his opening remarks on the MDGs and the situation of women, in particular.

After Mr. Kulessa’s address, the “Stand Up”  video was projected on a large screen for the audience. Then the university students, active members of the Center of the Youth Programmes, introduced the attendance to projects implemented by volunteers, such as distance education for persons with disabilities and assistance to the families with disabled children.

The culmination of the event was the Bob Marley’s song “Get Up, Stand Up” performed by students, and the “Stand Up” action itself. At the end, students signed the pledge which they were going to send to Russian Parliamentarians.
 
On 17 October, another “Stand Up” event was organized at the Vykhino Campus of the Sholokhov Moscow State University of Humanities University. UNIC Director opened the event with remarks outlining the essence of the poverty issues.
 
According to the preliminary count and the “Stand Up” campaign coordinator in Europe, the registered number of participants in Russia was more than 4,500 persons in various parts of the country, including cities such as Moscow, Barnaul, Severodvinsk, Tumen, Novosibirks, Michurinsk, Togliatti.

The President of Nepal, Dr. Ram Baran Yadav (middle) read the Stand Up pledge

More than 400 people including Ministers, Constituent Assembly member, the diplomatic corp, UN Agency heads, media and civil society gathered on 16 October 2009 at the office of the President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal.

The President, Dr. Ram Baran Yadav read the Stand Up pledge. The participants were invited to stand up, while the President read the pledge against poverty: "we are standing up today to express solidarity with people all over the world to fight against poverty and inequality. We want an end to poverty and inequality. We want to create a society where mothers don't die while giving birth. Children will have the right to quality education. No one will die due to diseases. Overall environment justice and sustainable development will be ensured by conservation and proper use of natural resources. The decisions made by the policy makers will not be for their personal gain but for the benefit of the poor and marginalized people as well", he said.

He further added: "We are committed to build a just society through a new constitution. Let's all commit to achieve the millennium development goals not only for today but for every day".

Speaking on behalf of the government of Nepal, Dr. Yubaraj Khatiwada, Vice Chairperson of the National Planning Commission reiterated the government's commitment to end poverty in the country. He said that the government has taken efforts to streamline poverty alleviation in the national development planning process to meet the Millennium Development Goals.

On the same occasion, the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator of the UN System in Nepal, Mr. Robert Piper, addressed the gathering and highlighted the conscientious efforts of the UN System in adding value to the Government of Nepal's efforts in meeting the MDGs.

At another event held at the open theatre, eight Constituent Assembly members representing all parties, read the Stand Up pledge and proved that some issues are beyond and above politics.

Around 5,000 people enjoyed a musical program while urging their leaders to keep up to the promise of achieving the MDGs.