GNRC Members from the South and South East Asia region participated in a the Roundtable consultation on Poverty Initiative themed ‘Maximizing on the Comparative Advantages of Faith-Inspired Resources to Build Partnerships to End Child Poverty Beyond 2015 that took place on the 16th of October 21, 2014. The meeting was facilitated by Arigatou International’s End Child Poverty Initiative and hosted by the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement.

GNRC Members from the South and South East Asia region participated in a the Roundtable consultation on Poverty Initiative themed ‘Maximizing on the Comparative Advantages of Faith-Inspired Resources to Build Partnerships to End Child Poverty Beyond 2015 that took place on the 16th of October 21, 2014. The meeting was facilitated by Arigatou International’s End Child Poverty Initiative and hosted by the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement.
              
In attendance, were representatives from Arigatou International, the Global Network of Religions for Children, Ethics Education Program, World Day of Prayer and Action, End Child Poverty, selected faith–inspired groups, development organizations, civil society organizations, United Nations Agencies, Educators and multi-lateral organizations.

GNRC Secretary General, Dr. Mustafa Y. AliDr. Mustafa Y. Ali, Secretary General of the Global Network of Religions for Children  shared with the roundtable participants on the history of the End Child Poverty Initiative launched at the GNRC Fourth Forum in Tanzania in 2012.
 
In a message by Rev. Keishi Miyamoto, President of Arigatou International, he expressed the commitment of the organization to mobilize faith-based resources to end child poverty, to challenge the unequal distribution of resources, war and violence, poor governance and corruption, and to utilize interfaith advocacy and grassroots action to overcome poverty.
 
Dr. Kezevino Aram, Director of Shanti Ashram, challenged religious leaders and other stakeholders present to change their approach from “working for children” to “working with children”.

• The consciousness of our communities and constituencies on the plight of child poverty will be raised. 
• There will be interreligious and intercultural dialogue, supporting theological reflection, prayer and action, to mitigate the human and spiritual causes of poverty including greed, hatred, fear and ignorance and contribute to finding lasting solutions.
• Advocacy against structural causes of poverty such as the unequal distribution of resources, corruption, bad governance and violent conflicts.
• Accompanying and supporting selected sustainable and replicable grassroots projects that aim to enhance quality education and retention of vulnerable children in school; transform violent conflicts that exacerbate poverty; and promote income-generating activities for low-income groups and families.GNRC Members around the world are committed to eradicating child poverty, and have been working towards this end. In 2012 at the GNRC Fourth Forum, the third of the promises made by Rev. Takeyasu Miyamoto—that of addressing poverty, was launched in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.