The sight of 700 kites flying over the hills of Kabul was one of the first in a series of images to arrive into the television newsrooms of broadcasters thanks to the coverage provided by Associated Press Television News around the world yesterday.

As Afghan civil society representatives, government officials and Afghan parliament members rallied in the city to mark anti-poverty day, Hayatullah Khan, sits with his children and talks of their family's struggle with poverty:

In every region of the world – Oceania, Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, South America and the Middle East - GCAP national coalitions and member organizations are creating Banners Against Poverty. These banners will be displayed on October 16th and 17th as part of Stand Up and Speak Out against poverty and for the Millennium Development Goals.

One of the largest and most vocal constituencies of STAND UP and SPEAK OUT is children and youth. Last year children and youth from around the world stood up in record numbers against poverty. This year children and youth will once again stand up and raise their voices for change.

A few highlights: In Rwanda youth groups are organizing a Stand Up and Speak Out soccer tournament with 20 primary schools. A youth network in Ghana has appointed Stand Up ambassadors to lead events all over the country and in Bangladesh an umbrella organization of youth movements will mobilize 10,000 young people to block a busy crossroads with a human chain.

"Through last year's Stand Up Against Poverty and the ongoing efforts of national campaigns around the world our political leaders are beginning to get the message that they must do what has to be done to address extreme poverty and social injustice. But to make real, sustainable progress we must keep up the pressure. That's why this year's Stand Up and related events are so important". - Helen D. Gayle, MD, MPH, President and CEO, CARE USA