Eddie Burke

Seeing rising food prices at your local grocery store

Next time you're in your local Giant or Safeway keep this thought in mind:

The rise in prices is not only having an adverse affect on your pocket but also a negative one in achieving the MDGs.

People are getting less nutrition as food prices increase and placing pressure on the budgets of poor households, thereby undermining progress in attempts to half the population who suffer from hunger and extreme poverty. I'm not saying to you have to stop eating to make a difference, but it's worth thinking about how the rise in food prices is affecting others around the world.

Posted at 10:38 24 September 2008 by Eddie Burke  |  Comments[1]

Time to recommit

Prime Minister Gordon Brown strongly believes that the global community must work together to make 2008 a turning point in the fight against poverty, and in particular build global momentum. This Thursday he'll be joined in New York by other world leaders including Tanzania's President Kikwete, France's President Sarkozy as well as other notables from around the globe.

The purpose of this high-level event -- called by the UN Secretary-General and the President of the UN General Assembly -- is to focus world commitment to achieving the Millennium Development Goals by 2015 and to set out clear plans and practical steps for real action. Issues such as malaria, education, maternal health and food security will be covered in depth.

For those who aren't familiar, the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDG's) were agreed at the UN Millennium Summit in September 2000. Nearly 190 countries have subsequently signed up to them.

The goal remains quite simple: To eradicate poverty by 2015. Easily said right? The calendar says we are halfway from 2000 to 2015. But the reality is that we're a long way from success. This week is an opportunity to get moving in the right direction once again.

Posted at 12:23 19 September 2008 by Eddie Burke  |  Comments[1]