More than four out of 10 citizens of the world (44%) agree that the eradication of poverty and hunger is the most important priority for the world, according to a new Voice of the People survey, carried out for the World Economic Forum, by Gallup International.

This priority is shared in all regions, leading the agenda in all countries with only a very few exceptions. More than 50,000 people in over 60 countries across the world, were asked which of the UN Millennium Development Goals, which all UN Member States have pledged to meet by 2015, is the most important goal for the world as a whole.

Commenting on the findings, Meril James , Secretary General of Gallup International said, "Our unique survey of global public opinion demonstrates broad agreement with the Millennium Goals which were set but it is now up to the worlds' leaders to deliver these goals."

Most important goals for the world as a whole were:

• Eradicate extreme and hunger: 44 per cent
• Develop ties to help poor: 12 per cent
• Ensure environmental sustainability: 10 per cent
• Combat AIDS/HIV, malaria, etc: 10 per cent
• Achieve universal primary education: 10 per cent
• Reduce child mortality: 4 per cent
• Improve maternal health: 2 per cent
• Promote gender equality: 3 per cent
• None of the above: 3 per cent

The results of the survey were released in Brazil , at the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship's Global Summit 2004, taking place from November 4 to 6 in Campinas.

"We gather the best social entrepreneurs in the world. All of them without exception are tackling the Millennium Goals through social innovation, often in a more effective manner than governments and corporations, who could learn from their approaches," said Pamela Hartigan, Managing Director of the Schwab Foundation.

Other findings of the survey:

• Consensus prevails around the world that the eradication of poverty and hunger is the highest priority; yet the remaining objectives generate more divided opinions. Amongst the other declared Millennium Goals, four issues appear stronger than the others: developing a global partnership to help the poor and underdeveloped; ensuring environmental sustainability; combating AIDS/ HIV and other diseases; and achieving universal primary education, with 1 in 10 globally mentioning each of these.
• The results show some interesting regional patterns regarding priorities. Combating AIDS/HIV, malaria and other diseases has a higher priority in Africa , a continent ravaged by these diseases. Rapid economic growth and a fragile ecological balance lead many in Asia Pacific to prioritise environmental sustainability. There are also some specific countries that give special emphasis to individual goals. For example, universal primary education is identified as a more important priority in countries as diverse as Iceland (26%), Brazil (28%) and India (22%).

Gallup International's unique annual survey Voice of the People interviews more than 50,000 people in more than 60 countries around the world, representing the views and attitudes of more than 1 billion global citizens. Fieldwork was conducted between June and August 2004.