Saturday October 17th is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. The day comes on the heels of a report just released by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization which estimates that more than 1 billion people around the world are undernourished.

This is despite the Millennium Declaration adopted by 189 world leaders at the UN Millennium Summit which states in part that “We will spare no effort to free our fellow men, women and children from the abject and dehumanizing conditions of extreme poverty, to which more than a billion of them are currently subjected”

Over the last few years, The Stand Up Take Action campaign has been one of the initiatives which has tried to keep the goal of poverty eradication high on the agenda of the world’s governments. it is a campaign that makes use of a symbolic gesture, the simple act of standing up, and for those who are unable to stand, raising a hand or showing some other sign of solidarity.

In 2007 over 47 million people stood up, and in 2008 about 116 million people stood up and took action to end poverty. It has united people across the globe on the issue of extreme poverty which affects us all.

According to Canadian Jesuits International (CJI) Director, Jenny Cafiso, “the extreme poverty that persists around the world is not due to a lack of resources or lack of recognition of the need to do something. The greatest obstacle is the lack of political will to make the right choices at all levels of government”.

The organizations and communities that CJI works in partnership with around the world are taking action against poverty on a daily basis. They are the most vulnerable and often the least represented members of our global community. Fortunately they are also some of the most optimistic that through their work and faith, they will be able to create a new world of justice and peace for all.

We at Canadian Jesuits International call on you to join the global community especially during this period from October 16th to 18th to STAND UP AND TAKE ACTION against global poverty. For more information about the campaign and how you can participate in your own community, visit www.standagainstpoverty.org.