The Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance calls churches and individuals to join in a world-wide “zero hunger” challenge

Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance (EAA), an initiative of the World Council of Churches (WCC), is calling churches and individuals to join in a world-wide “zero hunger” challenge.

An additional $160 per year for each person living in extreme poverty over a 15 year period will end chronic hunger, new UN estimates show

Eradicating world hunger sustainably by 2030 will require an estimated additional $267 billion per year on average for investments in rural and urban areas and in social protection, so poor people have access to food and can improve their livelihoods, a new UN report says. This would average $160 annually for each person living in extreme poverty over the 15 year period.

How Americans compare with the global population: 56 percent of Americans were in the high income class, compared with 7 percent of the world’s population.

By some key measures, the typical American household has slipped behind economically since the beginning of the 21st century.In 2013, the median income of U.S. households was $51,939, down substantially from $55,562 in 2001 (figures in 2013 dollars). In addition to two recessions – in 2001 and from 2007 to 2009 – longer-run trends such as globalization, the decline of unions, technological change and the rising cost of benefits such as health care are factors that limit prospects for many Americans.

Pope calls for ‘globalization of hope,’ warns against temptations of materialism during South American tour

SANTA CRUZ, Bolivia—Pope Francis issued a broadside against the global economic system, denouncing a structure based on worship of money, blaming it for inequality, military conflict and environmental degradation.

What progress has been made on each of the millennium development goals?

The millennium development goals have targeted eight key areas – poverty, education, gender equality, child mortality, maternal health, disease, the environment and global partnership. Each goal is supported by 21 specific targets and more than 60 indicators. Below, we’ve looked at what has been achieved on some of the targets within each goal

UN: 15-year push ends extreme poverty for a billion people. Ban Ki-moon hails achievements of millennium development goals but warns world still riven by inequality

The millennium development goals (MDGs) have driven “the most successful anti-poverty movement in history” and brought more than a billion people out of extreme penury, but their achievements have been mixed and the world remains deeply riven by inequality, the UN’s final report (pdf) on the goals has concluded

The humanitarian economy: Where is all the money going?

Over the years, Europe and the USA have been the largest donors to the formal aid industry – press the play button below the graphic to see them take turns claiming the biggest share. Public generosity sometimes tops that of governments (think Haiti and the tsunami), while other donors, especially from the Gulf, are recently contributing more.