Eradicating Poverty

This year presents a special opportunity to influence poverty eradication efforts as the international community is renewing its commitment to achieve the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. More than half-way to 2015 a strong and sustained push towards the Goals is urgently required. The Secretary-General of the United Nations has called for 2008 to be 'a year devoted to addressing the needs of the poorest of the poor'. Bahá'ís are uniquely positioned to share a perspective on poverty given the diverse composition of our community which, while including the voices of the materially poor and the materially wealthy, nevertheless speaks with one voice. The attached statement whilst primarily based upon the Writings of the Bahá'í Faith, gives consideration to the input received from local Bahá'ís in Namibia, Turkey, Haiti, Guyana, India and Brazil who held consultations on human rights and extreme poverty.