CAIRO: After a night of thunder, lightening and heavy showers, the clouds parted on Cairo's skies and the sun was shining as the second "Sail the Nile for the Millennium Development Goals launched yesterday. The launch of "Sail the Nile was held in tandem with the "Stand up and Speak Out Against Poverty campaign. Held on the symbolic "Day for Eradication of Poverty, the two campaigns came together in a joint program to raise awareness about poverty related issues in Egypt as part of a wider global movement. The occasion was marked by an SOS Music Festival - sponsored by Vodafone - featuring performances from a number of up and coming Egyptian bands. Along the Nile, three tall masted feluccas with buffeting sails sat proudly to symbolize the eight feluccas that will set off from Aswan on October 23. These feluccas will stop in eight cities in Upper Egypt, where similar events will take place. UN resident Coordinator James Rawley clarified the importance of the Millennium Development Goals, which include halting the spread of HIV/AIDS as well as providing primary education to children around the world. Rawley said, "In 2000, Egypt was one of 189 countries to sign a UN declaration promising to end poverty by 2015 by committing to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. 2007 marks the midpoint to 2015 and it is important to make sure these goals remain high on the agenda.
