(Ebru News/AP) People across the globe gathered today  to join an international campaign to end global poverty. The "Stand Up, Speak Out" campaign is part of 'U.N. efforts' to promote the 'Millennium Development Goals' that include eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, achieving universal primary education and ensuring a sustainable environment by the year 2015. 

Hundreds of events were staged all over the world today  to heighten awareness and pressure governments to act in the interests of their poorest citizens.

In schools, stadiums, streets and offices from Asia to Africa, thousands of people sang songs, listened to speeches and rose briefly to their feet in moment of solidarity and protest.

Hundreds of Afghan women and men participated in a kite flying event to call on the Afghan government for more transparency in how foreign aid is spent, and to focus on job creation to end poverty.

Meanwhile in Vatican City, Pope Benedict XVI urged the international community to work to eliminate poverty.

Several events also took place in Germany as residents of  Berlin gathered for musical performances promoting the fight against poverty.

Around the world, an estimated 1  billion people live on less than a dollar a day, according to UN figures.

Organizers of today's events say that 50-thousand  people die each day from preventable causes linked to poverty and they called on participants to help fight the underlying causes.