A/HRC/10/65 page 4 9. The recent world food crisis was an additional alarm bell for the international community and a warning of additional consequences of mounting poverty and the lack of food, as well as the negative possible effects of globalization. 10. The Chairperson-Rapporteur proposed four areas that the deliberations and thematic discussions of the Social Forum could address: (a) raising awareness and international concern regarding the problems of poverty and extreme poverty; (b) practical initiatives that are implementable; (c) technical support and capacity-building for countries and agencies in need; and (d) the need for a more structured role of the United Nations in developing and coordinating international efforts to tackle poverty. 11. The Chairperson-Rapporteur subsequently invited the United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights to make welcome remarks. In her address, the Deputy High Commissioner drew the attention of participants to the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (A/HRC/SF/2008/2), which was prepared upon the request of the Council as a background contribution for deliberations at the Forum. She also emphasized that poverty was a human rights issue and the gravest human rights challenge facing the world. The Deputy High Commissioner believed that globalization could be given a human face if guided by the fundamental principles that underpin human rights, such as equity, participation, accountability and non-discrimination. Utilizing international human rights standards to influence the direction of globalization and enhance the effectiveness of poverty eradication was highlighted as an important area for further discussion. B. Organization of work 12. The programme of work of the 2008 Social Forum (see annex II) was prepared under the guidance of the Chairperson-Rapporteur, taking into account the input received from Member States and other relevant stakeholders. 13. Under the main themes of poverty and human rights and the social dimension of the globalization process, the 2008 Social Forum heard 28 expert presentations, followed by interactive debates, on 12 different thematic topics and their relationship to poverty. C. Attendance 14. See annex III. D. Documentation 15. The 2008 Social Forum had before it the provisional agenda (annex I), the programme of work (annex II) and the background report (A/HRC/SF/2008/2) submitted by the High Commissioner for Human Rights pursuant to paragraph 8 of Council resolution 6/13.