Brazilian president signals revamp of poverty campaign.

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Nearly a year after he was swept to power on pledges of radical social change, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Brazil's president, on Monday announced an overhaul of his poverty-eradication programme.

The government's determination to combine economic orthodoxy with progressive social policies raised widespread hopes for a new, more egalitarian economic model in Latin America. Yet, only months into office, his flagship antifamine programme, Zero Fome - "Zero Hunger" - was criticised as unwieldy and poorly organised.

Now, the former union leader is eager to show that initial obstacles have been overcome. "We are now on the right track," he said in a ceremony on Monday.

James Wolfensohn, president of the World Bank, followed Mr Lula da Silva's address live by video-conference and praised his efforts towards social equality. The World Bank and other multilateral agencies have stepped up financing for Zero Fome and other social welfare programmes.

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