As we pass the midway point in the first decade of the 21st Century, more than a billion people are gripped in poverty of the first order – abject poverty – where there are not enough resources to provide food, shelter or even the hope of comfort.

For the first time in history, we, the citizens of the world, have the means to eliminate poverty around the globe. 2005 was the year when we, the people, raised awareness and forced our many governments to take action.

Rich countries give half as much now as they did in 1960. Total aid from rich countries in 2004 was $78.9 billion. This is 0.25% of their income.  In 1960 rich countries spent double this amount of their income on aid.

For the first time in history, we – the people of Planet Earth – have the means to turn this situation around sooner, rather than later, and eliminate poverty.