Recife, March 18, 2004 (Agência Brasil) - The Minister of Social Development and Hunger Alleviation, Patrus Ananias, declared today that the creation of a solidarity network can lead the country to make new advances in the social area. Ananias addressed the representatives of government organs, entities, councils, social organizations, and international delegations who are attending the II National Conference on Food and Nutritional Security, at the Pernambuco Convention Center, in Olinda, Northeast Brazil.

According to the Minister, the gathering represents a milestone in the country's history. He remarked that just as the Zero Hunger Program transcends the limits of food security policy, the intention of the government is to achieve a solidary and cooperative participatory democracy.

Translator: David Silberstein