She also suggested African panelists to speak to women about democracy, pluralism and issues they face not only based on gender, but also in connection to religious differences and poverty.

UNESCO: MEDIA SERVICES

Like poverty or ethnic and religious conflict, climate change is not something likely to be solved, eliminated or ended, but rather a condition that society will struggle to do better or worse at in managing.

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DiIulio said the effort would build on existing law -- a portion of the 1996 welfare reform bill -- that allows religious organizations to participate in federal anti-poverty programs.

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Catholicism is also a strong cultural influence in Africa's continuing search for answers to the challenges of poverty, diseases, ethnic and religious conflicts, wars, political and economic problems, radical Islamic fundamentalism, and how to mitigate the effects of climate change and natural disasters.

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These four principles illustrate that the concept of sustainable development in the Earth Charter embraces the view that the problems of poverty, environmental degradation, ethnic and religious conflict, and social injustice are all interdependent, and that policies that address one problem can impact and improve other issues.

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The initiative also includes numerous political and religious leaders, entrepreneurs, small business owners and missionaries fighting poverty on the grass-roots level.

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Those earning less than the poverty level, members of Indian tribes and people with religious objections to health insurance are among those who would not have to carry insurance.

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As a tribute to the people of the favelas, who refused to let poverty or adversity stop them dancing the samba and performing their religious rituals, he liked to create flamboyantly coloured parangoles capes, flags and banners that were meant to be worn in a collective dance in which participants would complete the art work.

ECONOMIST: Brazilian art