Monday, Sep 20, 2010
Gulf News
focus on creating awareness and collecting donations
HCT Women’s College takes a stand against poverty
Students in the capital take part in global initiative aimed at helping those in need
PICTURES BY ALEX WESTCOTT
Abu Dhabi Students of the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) are participating in a global campaign to end poverty for the second year in a row.
“We, ADWC [Abu Dhabi Women’s College] have taken part in the Stand up Take Action campaign to draw attention to the serious problems of our world,” students said.
In its fourth year, Stand Up and Take Action involves millions of individuals worldwide “demanding that world leaders end poverty and achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs),” according to the initiative’s website.
Over 180 world leaders had agreed to adopt the MDGs during a summit held at the United Nations in September 2000, which addressed the roots of poverty and proposed solutions to reduce them by the year 2015.
Students will participate in the campaign till Thursday passing around badges and collecting donations for the Red Crescent Society. Students were yesterday shown films on the subject of poverty to generate awareness. They were encouraged to adopt the effort’s 2010 pledge.
Many students offered to pay extra for the badges.
“I think the Stand Up initiative is great because it encourages people to learn more about poverty and to have their voices heard.” Marwa Al Maskari, Vice-President of the Student Representative Council at ADWC, said. “We are mainly selling badges for Dh5 a piece, as well as collecting monetary and other forms of donations.”
Marwa, who is a second year business student, said one of the main goals of ADWC’s involvement in the campaign was to raise people’s awareness. “Everyone is being cooperative and supportive. When we were trying to sell the badges, some girls offered donations up to hundreds of dirhams,” Marwa Al Mashjari, another member of the student council, added.
ADWC’s Director, Dr. Kathleen O’Connell Hodge commended the efforts.
“Our students join other scholars in impacting world events. Participating in this campaign during the first week of the academic year helps us put our efforts into a global perspective,” she said.
See also Page 31
ALEX WESTCOTT/Gulf News
Making a difference
Students at the Abu Dhabi Women’s College display their ‘Stand Up, Take Action’ badges which form part of the campaign to get world leaders to end poverty and achieve the Millennium Development Goals.
goals
eight-pronged strategy
1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
2. Achieve universal primary education
3. Promote gender equality and empower women
4. Reduce child mortality
5. Improve maternal health
6. Combat HIV/Aids, malaria, and other diseases
7. Ensure environmental sustainability
8. Develop a global partnership for development
Source: http://standagainstpoverty.org/suap/sap/about
By Hiba Haddad ?Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2010. All rights reserved.
