The movement is a continuation of the work of the Movement for Ethics in Politics, which in 1992 led the campaign to impeach Fernando Collor de Mello. The movement has generated 3000 local committees throughout the country which collect food for distribution and which raise awareness on the problem of hunger in Brazil. The first step in this fight is the formation of local and state committees against hunger. In an interview with the Folha de Sao Paulo, Betinho was asked if the Citizens Action movement was merely a philanthropic, social assistance endeavor. For me, solidarity is an ethical gesture by someone who wants to do away with a certain situation, and not perpetuate it.
Aid does just the opposite.
To end misery in Brazil we need a massive policy of generating jobs. Without a salary, a person cannot eat. The Pastoral has trained 54,000 community leaders, who volunteer their time to accompany families in their neighborhood. Over 1.6 million children are being served by the Pastoral, which has as its mission the fight against malnutrition, and prevention of disease. The Pastoral will celebrate the anniversary with a pilgrimage to the national shrine of Nossa Senhora da Aparecida in the state of Sao Paulo.