Art of Living Foundation speeds up Millennium Development Goals
London, 17th October 2009

The Art of Living Foundation will mobilise millions of people in more than 100 countries this weekend to pledge their support for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), as part of the United Nations Millennium Campaign (UNMC) initiative, 'Stand Up Take Action'. Since July 2009, the Foundation has organised a number of activities across the globe under its 'Speed Up MDGs' campaign, including 'Each One Teach One' (offering literacy programs in marginalised communities), the 'Slipper Campaign' (providing shoes for children, who would otherwise have to walk for miles barefoot to school), tree plantations, and free community lunch programmes in tribal communities and slums.

The Foundation is also collecting donations for its 87 humanitarian schools, which provide education and care to over 6,000 underprivileged children every year in the rural, tribal and semi-urban belts of India, where poverty and child labour are widespread. UNMC's Asia Head, Minar Pimple, recognised the significant contribution of the Foundation to the global movement, commenting, "We are excited by our partnership with the Foundation on the Speed Up MDGs campaign... The Foundation's actions on these goals will inspire millions of people to do their bit for the alleviation of global poverty."

In 2008, the Foundation brought together 10.6 million people to join the campaign, and planted 9.6 million trees as part of its 'Mission Green Earth' initiative in support of MDG 7 - Environmental Sustainability.