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I am deeply concerned about the impact of poverty on children because poverty can destroy their future and bind them to a life of misery.

I have been very strongly advocating that poverty must not be used as an excuse to continue child labour. It perpetuates poverty. If children are deprived of education, they remain poor.

It is simply not credible to tackle child poverty without acknowledging the worst issue - a lack of money.

I can't solve the poverty problem, but there are things you can do to mitigate its effects on kids.

My entire childhood was steeped in poverty. For me, poverty, in a way, was the first inspiration of my life, a commitment to do something for the poor.

The issue I have always felt most strongly about is hunger in America, in particular the children.

I started my own Pies Descalzos/Barefoot Foundation when I was 18. We provide education to vulnerable children in Colombia and other developing countries. I am an avid believer that education - and especially early childhood development - is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty.

It is widely known that the effects of childhood poverty follow children through adolescence and into adulthood.