CHICAGO: The Art of Living Foundation in league with Green Peace and Street Wise administration organized a novel program Stand Up & Speak Out, a worldwide call-to-action to end poverty and to meet the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals.

The event in Chicago was held at Federal Plaza in Chicago Down town and approximately 50 volunteers participated in it. The slogan was 'We can make a difference!'Between 4 pm CDT on Oct. 16 and 4 pm CDT on Oct. 17, millions all over the world did Stand Up and Speak UP against poverty. This year, inspired by its founder, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the Art of Living Foundation is joining the movement to raise awareness to eradicate poverty & hunger, promote gender equality, ensure environmental sustainability, improve health conditions and achieve universal primary education around the world.

Art of Living Foundation encourages city governments, schools, universities, businesses, non-profit organizations, corporations and individuals to host or join an event in their area.