Junior Ministers address poverty and human rights seminar

Junior Ministers Robin Newton and Gerry Kelly today stressed that eradicating poverty and inequality is at the heart of the Executive’s agenda.

Speaking at an Amnesty International event that focused on Poverty and Human Rights and the Millennium Development Goals, the Ministers underlined the importance of countries working together to eradicate poverty and hunger.

Junior Minister Newton said: "We know that even if Millennium Development Goals are achieved, there will still be millions of people in the world in severe poverty, millions who do not have an adequate standard of living and millions of adults and children who are hungry.

"The Executive, the All-Party International Development Committee, the NGO's and stakeholders must all work together to eradicate poverty."

Minister Kelly said: "As an Executive we must seek to empower people and support them out of poverty and into employment and inclusion in wider society. This aspiration should apply as much in developing countries as it does here.

"So the Executive has a dual-role, we must seek to eradicate poverty here and help to eradicate poverty at a global level. Both are essential but the solutions will be very different.

"Today’s event is a wonderful opportunity to focus on poverty from a rights perspective and to develop the discussion about how to implement international obligations in domestic policy-making and in contributing to wider responsibilities," he added.

Notes to editors:

1. Junior Ministers Newton and Kelly were speaking at the Amnesty International Event 'Poverty and Human Rights /Millennium Development Goals Event', in the Long Gallery, Parliament Buildings.
2. Media enquiries should be directed to OFMDFM press office on 028 9037 8119. Out of office hours, please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.