Context
The Latin America and the Caribbean region has experienced sustained economic growth since 2004.
The economy grew 5.4 percent in 2006 and 4.5 percent in 2005, after experiencing its strongest growth in 25 years (6%) in 2004.
However 47 million people in the region (more then 8% of the population) are still living in extreme poverty.
Although Latin America and the Caribbean is making major progress towards some of the Millennium Development Goals, 'it still has the dubious distinction of being the most inequitable region in the world.'
According to the United Nations Millennium Development Goal programme, there is a shortage of the kind of jobs that would help people to lift themselves out of poverty. Poor people have little access to suitable health and education services or, in many cases, to an adequate supply of food.
'Unless certain measures are adopted by the developed world, including steps to promote cooperation for development, it will not be possible to reach the Millennium Development Goals and achieve a harmonious form of economic and social development on a global scale.'
United Nations Millennium Development Goal Programme.
The political landscape in Latin America and the Caribbean changed in 2006, with elections affecting nearly half of the people living in the region.
Our work
In the Eastern Caribbean, we worked in partnership with media professionals, local authorities, and national and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to build public awareness of climate change and the need for national and regional environmental policies. More
In Brazil, we worked in partnership with the Brazilian Ministry of Health and 13 national television channels to raise awareness of leprosy and its symptoms, thereby ensuring early detection and treatment.
Our 'Rights at Work' initiative, produced in partnership with the International Labour Organisation and the BBC Brasil, also focused on Brazil. The programme aimed to raise awareness and public understanding of the Declaration on Fundamental A major website also accompanied the series.
In Peru, we worked with Save the Children UK, other international research organisations and BBC Mundo to produce the 'Peru: My Life Diaries' programmes. Part of the Children of the Millennium Project, it asked the question: '2015 - where will we be?'
More than 3,000 children living in poverty were asked about their hopes and dreams. Their answers formed the basis of Peru: My Life Diaries, a series of audio and visual diaries.
