In remarks broadcast Sunday, September 12, 2010, on the nationally-syndicated Day1 program, the 39th President of the United States, Jimmy Carter, calls upon the faith community to take action against global hunger by supporting the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). "The Millennium Development Goals target poverty, hunger, and disease," President Carter explains, "while encouraging universal primary education and fairness for women and girls." The MDGs "are backed by global consensus, and have the strong support of all the world's major religious groups."

In his address, "A Joyful Resolve: Transforming the Lives of the World's Poorest," President Carter observes that for persons of Christian faith, "Christ's command that we serve the poor is reason enough to struggle on behalf of those without enough to eat."

President Carter's address was broadcast prior to the major UN MDG Review Summit in New York on September 20-22, 2010 where Heads of State and Government will join leaders from the private sector, foundations, and civil society to commit to an action agenda to achieve the MDGs by 2015. With only five years left until the target date for achieving the MDGs the UN is leading a collective effort to accelerate progress toward the Goals.

President Carter observes: "The MDG program is achieving strong results. The effort rests on knowledge we already possess, and relies on proven, effective implementation strategies. In these ways, the goals represent a sharp break from failed development approaches of the past." Greatly encouraged, the President highlights our ability to transform the lives of the poor: "I have never been more optimistic about our ability to lift up our brothers and sisters and to change the world at long last. ... When...we know we have the tools to make a difference, our obligation to do justice is all the more clear. We should feel a joyful resolve to press ahead."