An ambitious project, started by University of Cambridge students, that aims to eradicate global poverty is set to launch next week.

On February 26th at the Cambridge Corn Exchange, members of the public will be given an exclusive opportunity to view the "1.4 Billion Reasons" presentation before the Global Poverty Project officially launches across the UK.

The Project, established by Hugh Evans, a current postgraduate at Cambridge, aims to invigorate the global movement to eradicate extreme world poverty within a generation.

With this goal in mind, members of the project have developed the "1.4 Billion Reasons" presentation. Since premiering in Melbourne in 2009, the presentation has travelled across the world.

The 90-minute presentation, which takes its name from the 1.4 billion people who live in poverty worldwide, aims both to communicate facts about extreme poverty and arm individuals with the tools, knowledge, and inspiration needed to take action.

The project is keen to assert that they are "not after your money", but are, instead, focused on explaining how everyday actions can be connected to the elimination of extreme poverty.

Evans told Varsity, "The particular appeal of the Global Poverty Project is that it is strategic, inspiring, educational and pragmatic. It has a clear goal - to eradicate extreme poverty - and the founders know exactly how to accomplish this. Vast amounts of effort and planning have been put into the way in which GPP will address the very real concerns of extreme poverty".

"I would encourage anyone who has ever wanted to make a difference and wants to be involved in a movement that will catalyse worldwide efforts to attend the presentation on Friday 26th February. It’s a free event that I believe will offer people an opportunity to have a pivotal role in the emancipation of the world’s 1.4 billion people who live in conditions of extreme poverty."

Global Poverty Project works directly with advisors from NGOs, governments, academics, and civil society in order to harness powerful ideas and build on the strong support that exists in the community.

The project also encourages people to "make a commitment" on its website. Commitments can range from hosting a screening of the presentation, volunteering overseas, or making a monetary donation to buying more Fairtrade products or simply spreading the word.

Global Poverty Project has already received widespread acclaim. Salil Shetty, director of the United Nations’ Millennium Campaign, praised the scheme, saying, "We strongly support this initiative".

In addition, Achmat Dangor, CEO of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, asserted, "We’re impressed particularly by the very practical approach towards mobilising communities and policy makers around the world so that they can take practical and measureable steps to combat poverty".

Cambridge students have also commended Evans. One student said, "It’s wonderful to see someone from our own community doing so much. The abolition of global poverty seems like a daunting prospect, but this kind of commitment reminds us that there is still hope".