Brasília – Federal Government investment in social programs, as a focus to reach in Brazil the Eight Millennium Goals, established by the United Nations, in 2000, have already reached 80 billion Brazilian reals (US$ 43.4 billion), equivalent to 30 billion euros, pointed out on Tuesday (25) the minister of Social Development and Hunger Alleviation, Patrus Ananias, on participating in the VI "We Can" Federal Savings Bank and Bank of Brazil Seminar.
Those participating in the event are discussing the programmes for support to the development of the Eight Millennium Goals. According to Patrus, the results reached up to now show "vigorous presence of the Brazilian state in this same work, which is taking place at a moment of global crisis to which the country was immune for the first time."
The minister pointed out the organised actions that are taking place in the country for the promotion of the social sector and for development, with the support of the civil society and institutions like the Bank of Brazil, the Federal Savings Bank and oil company Petrobras. He said that "public organisations have been fundamental, alongside the contribution of non-governmental organisations, universities, churches, unions and other social movements, "causing great impact and results".
The coordinator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Maristela Marques, pointed out that the creation of the Ministry of Social Development, in 2003, was very important for Brazil for the reduction of poverty and consequently the partial reaching of some of the Eight Millennium Development Goals. The results, according to her, already show anticipation mainly in terms of eradication of hunger.
Brazil, pointed out Maristela Marques, is among the signatories of the engagement taken on by the United Nations that obtained the best results. She defends the local expansion of works so that there may be "a quality leap" in the communities. The UNDP, according to the coordinator, collaborates in projects locally and also through training at the Bank of Brazil and the Federal Savings Bank, as well as in other ministries. She pointed out that the organisation will also be a government partner "in the construction of a fairer society with more solidarity".
The Eight Millennium Goals to be reached by 2015, established with 191 countries at the United Nations, are: eradication of extreme poverty and hunger, reaching universal basic education, promoting gender equality and female autonomy, reducing infant mortality; fighting HIV/Aids, malaria and other diseases, guaranteeing environmental sustainability and establishing a global partnership for development.
*Translated by Mark Ament
