7th September 2006

The UK Government's International Development Secretary Hilary Ben joined the Briotish Hindu community on Tuesday at Attlee Room in House of Commons to launch the Target 2015-Halving global poverty booklet with Hindu Aid.

Announcing the launch of the booklet, Hilary Ben said "I am pleased to launch the Target 2015 booklet with Hindu Aid. Faith communities are vital partners in the fight against poverty and by working together we can reachout to a wide audience in the UK and build support for international development.

He said"The UK government has committed £3.6 billion this year to help eliminate poverty and create world where everyone has the food, medicines, clean water and education they need to live fulfilling lives. For the 1.3 billion people who live in extreme poverty, the international targets we have set provide a vision for a better life for their children and a means of holding donor countries to account.

He added "But it is only by working in global partnership that we will reach these ambitious goals, including the commitment to halve the proportion of people living in poverty.'

Hindu Aid Chairman Arjan Vekaria said "We will be contacting Hindu organisations, temples, youth and community leaders to create greater awarness of the 1.3 billion people who live in extreme poverty."

He added "This will inrease the assistance and support from the UK Hindus for international development programmes and highlight universal messages of conciliation, peace and charity that are common to all faith communities."

A number of MPs and Baroness Shrila Flather, community leaders as well as journalists attended the booklet launch event.