On October 15 thousands are expected to gather in Times Square to witness the “raising� of the iconic New Year’s Eve crystal Ball, making its first ever non-New Year appearance. Times Square is the signature global event for the “Stand Up Against Poverty� challenge in support of the Millennium Development Goals, which will see hundreds of thousands of people from many nationalities, races and religions coming together to set a Guinness World Record for the largest number of people ever to intentionally and symbolically “Stand Up Against Poverty� at multiple locations around the world, within 24 hours.

The Times Square’s New Years Eve Ball will be raised in support of the challenge and lead a “STAND UP� moment for thousands in New York City. United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan has been invited to push the button that will raise the Ball, after which an anti poverty pledge will be read by the gathered crowds. The event will be broadcast live and shown on the surrounding Reuters, Panasonic and NASDAQ screens.