Rome, February 14, 2009 – During the meeting of G-7 finance ministers and central bank governors in Rome on February 13-14, the United Nations Millennium Campaign participated in the launch of the document “G-8 2009: Global Challenges and Italian Civil Society Proposals,” organized by the Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP).

The document, which will be delivered to the Italian government as July’s G-8 summit approaches, proposes an integrated approach to surmounting the four global crises that will be discussed during the summit: food security, the economic crisis, climate change, and new global governance.

The document was launched in a press conference held in a hotel near the meeting of G-7 officials. G-8 country members, who will gather in La Maddalena in July, have a crucial role to play in driving a coordinated and effective response to these global issues.

After the press conference, GCAP representatives joined a band in Piazza Barberini to play a “Valentine’s Day serenade” for the Italian Finance Minister, Mr. Giulio Tremont. The singers unveiled a large postcard which read, “Mr. Tremonti, do not break our hearts; keep your promises!”