Lula in Mexico: “I came here to bear witness. It is possible to end world hunger ”

Former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva visited Chiapas on Friday afternoon, April 19, for the start of the Mexican Government’s  National Crusade Against Hunger, together with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, the Minister of Social development, Rosario Robles, and the Governor of the State of Chiqapas, Manuel Velasco.

To download high resolution photographs of the event visit Picasa do Instituto Lula.

One of Peña Nieto’s priorities at the beginning of his mandate, the initiative was inspired by the programs and the commitment of the Brazilian Government to overcoming poverty.  “The National Crusade Against Hunger was inspired to a large extent by the Zero Hunger Program in Brazil,” said Minister Robles. Peña Nieto pointed out that the example of Brazil inspired the initiative “because you were successful in taking 33 million Brazilians out of poverty.  Here we are working on behalf of seven and one half million Mexicans to get them out of this condition and give them dignity.”

Wearing traditional Mexican regional attire, Lula spoke about how the Brazilian experience proved that it is possible to eradicate poverty and misery from the world. “I came here to give you my testimony.  It is possible to end hunger around the world.  All that is needed is a government with a commitment to the poor.  The rich do not need government.  It is the poor of the world who need government.”

The former president of Brazil said that the criticisms that the anti-poverty initiatives are receiving in Mexico are the same as those that he received at the beginning of his government.  And he encouraged Peña Nieto to make a permanent commitment to the poor.  “This country has everything that its people need, and now, Mr President, they have you.  Don’t let them down.”