Brasília, 7/19/2004 (Agência Brasil - ABr) - For the first time Brazil will participate in a worldwide United Nations campaign to improve the lives of the planet's most needy by drumming up support for what is known as the Millennium Development Goals which were set up by 191 countries, including Brazil, in the 2000 UN General Assembly.

The Millennium Development Goals, which are supposed to be achieved by the year 2015, include eliminating extreme poverty and hunger, making elementary education universal, the promotion of sexual equality, women's rights and maternal health, combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases, protecting the environment and setting up a worldwide partnership for development.

Brazil's participation begins on August 9, the anniversary of the death of social activist, Betinho.

Translator: Allen Bennett