Many countries, including China, have not yet eliminated poverty and should support non-governmental organizations (NGO), according to participants in a forum held here Friday on global poverty relief.

At the forum for NGOs on the Global Call against Poverty, more than 200 representatives from international organizations and NGOs worldwide discussed issues like education, HIV/AIDS prevention, and equality in international trade. They also gave advice on Chinese social policy.

In September 2000, 149 leaders from 189 members of the United Nations jointly made a statement to reach the Millennium Development Goals, which aimed to radically reduce poverty and increase education by the end of 2015.

"China has made rapid progress toward the goal of building a well-off society," Secretary-General of the China Association for NGO Cooperation (CANGO) Huang Haoming said. "However, people still living in poverty, greatly hinder the stable development of Chinese society."

A fast growing economy creates unique social problems, he said.

"NGOs should play a role in easing conflicts, boosting reform and seeking social justice for the public," Huang said.

In 2002, more than 1.4 million people engaged in volunteer services, and in 2003, full-time and part-time working staff in NGOs in China totaled three million.

Such activities as "Project Hope" and "Care for Girls," initiated by Chinese NGOs, have contributed to realizing the Millennium Development Goals in China, said Wang Chao, representative of World Vision.

Huang Haoming said that Chinese NGOs are still at a relative early stage in terms of quality and experience, but in recent years, more NGOs have been identifying emerging social problems through enhanced dialogue and cooperation with international counterparts.

"NGOs come from the grass-roots of Chinese society and should serve the people with a running mechanism based on the Chinese domestic situation," said Huang He, president of the Beijing Xingzhi School, which educates migrant workers' children.

Achieving a harmonious society is the common task of all countries dedicated to achieving the Millennium Development Goals, he added.

Source: Xinhua