Make Poverty History campaign

[Shane]

It's incredible how little it would take to end world poverty and hunger. This group is making the effort to bring about change:

http://www.makepovertyhistory.org/

Make Poverty History campaign
Over 100 UK charities, trade unions and faith groups have joined with celebrities to launch a year-long campaign called Make Poverty History. The campaign demands that developed countries increase global aid and make it work better for the poor, cancel world debt, and change the rules of world trade so that they favour the interests of the poor.
Make Poverty History is part of a worldwide movement, The Global Call to Action against Poverty, committed to forcing world leaders to make a breakthrough in 2005 towards ending global poverty. The effort is being launched as the UK prepares to host the G8 summit and assume the presidency of the European Union in 2005. Make Poverty History challenges UK Prime Minister Tony Blair to address the problems of trade, aid and debt in developing countries.

“We have thrown down the gauntlet to Tony Blair,” said Kirsty McNeill from the Stop AIDS Campaign, on behalf of Make Poverty History. “But the challenge does not rest with the Prime Minister alone. Tony Blair and the world’s leaders will not act unless ordinary people demand change. In 2005 we want everyone in the UK to show their support; whether that be by wearing a white band, sending a postcard, email or text, or taking part in the demonstration before the G8 world leaders summit in July.”

The Make History report (‘Make History: a challenge to the British Prime Minister in 2005’) examines why 30,000 children die needlessly every day and how the combined impacts of inadequate aid, unfair trade, and debt are having a devastating affect on the world’s poorest people.
“This report spells out the gross injustices suffered by millions of people worldwide and explains what needs to be done to solve the situation. Unfair trade rules, the lack of good quality aid and crippling debts are costing lives. We know what the problems are but until now there has not been the political will to do something about them. We want 2005 to be remembered as the year that changed the world,” said Steve Tibbett from ActionAid on behalf of Make Poverty History.
In supporting the Make Poverty History coalition, Archbishop Desmond Tutu said: “2005 is a year of great opportunity. We can really do something to change the world. The time has come to stop talking and start taking some action. If everyone who wants to see an end to poverty, hunger and suffering speaks out then the noise will be deafening. Politicians will have to listen.”
(Source: makepovertyhistory.org; Oxfam; tearfund.org; thecommonwealth.org)