The United Nations community gathers to stand up against poverty. Photo by Shimiko Nott

Poverty and hunger: no small potatoes

Two distinctly different but closely related events occurred during the week of October 19, 2007. Millions of people broke a Guinness World Record and international leaders discussed potatoes. Of course, it was not all fun and games. The events marked two significant days: the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty and World Hunger Day.

On October 16, the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, people worldwide stood up and spoke out, calling for a more urgent response to the growing crisis of global poverty. In events held around the world, they called world leaders to keep the commitments made in the Millennium Development Goals. Shortly after the event, it was announced that 38.8 million people had participated. A final count adjusted the number to 43.7 million. This broke the Guinness World Record of the number of people in 24 hours to Stand Up Against Poverty. The events were organized by the United Nations Millennium Campaign and the Global Call to Action against Poverty.

Alexandra Buck and Shimiko Nott of the Presbyterian United Nations Office were among the group that set out to the North Lawn of the United Nations where over 900 diplomats and U.N. staff members joined to stand up against poverty. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon delivered remarks linking the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to the eradication of poverty. He remarked that this year, the midpoint of the MDGs, has brought mixed progress in reaching the goals of reducing global poverty and hunger. The secretary general called for governments and civil society to strengthen efforts to fight against extreme poverty and inequality.

All gathered on the lawn then crouched down and on the count of three, stood up and cheered in commitment to stand in solidarity to end poverty. The entire group then read a pledge in honor of the day, wherein they affirmed that, “We are standing here at the United Nations because we pledge to step up our efforts to build support for MDGs, and to keep the campaign to end extreme poverty at the heart of our work.”

October 18 marked the United Nations' observance of World Food Day, which is October 16. The event observance, presented by the U.N. Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), was titled “The Right to Food.” Presentations by speakers such as the President of the 62nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly and the vice president of the Economic and Social Council served as an important reminders that living free from hunger is an inherent human right. This right is affirmed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The observance also served as the official launching of the International Year of the Potato (2008). The chairman of the board of the International Potato Center spoke of the potato’s role in eradicating global poverty and hunger. Jacques Diouf, the director-general of the FAO, commented that through the focus on sustainable development of potato production, the global community could focus on “how to translate that legal right [to food] into real life situations at the level of the poor rural community.”

Through potatoes, pledges and continued prayerful commitment, we can all help make the Millennium Development Goals a reality.