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Make Poverty History is prominently displayed by one of their corporte partners the jeans retailer Diesel. Make Poverty History is about grassroots activism using a spectrum of tools to draw attention and create action opportunities. View their members. I was struck by their use of texting with mobile phones, which has become so ubiquitious in the developing world. Here is the story in their words:
The gap between the world's rich and poor has never been wider. Malnutrition, AIDS, conflict and illiteracy are a daily reality for millions. But it isn't chance or bad luck that keeps people trapped in bitter, unrelenting poverty. It's man-made factors like a glaringly unjust global trade system, a debt burden so great that it suffocates any chance of recovery and insufficient and ineffective aid.
This year there are a number of really important moments when we need as many people as possible to make their voices heard so as the world's most powerful people know that they must make poverty history.
Take Action Now! - Texting
Comic Relief operates the texting service on behalf of the MakePovertyHistory coalition. Of the 25p text at least 15.5p (net proceeds after VAT and handling costs) goes to Comic Relief, registered charity 326568, to cover the cost of updates about Make Poverty History.
More action: Banner ads, Order White Band, Email votes and protest, Resources for Schools.
What has been achieved:
The G8 summit went some way towards meeting the demands made by the MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY campaign, including:
- The G8 leaders' promise of $48 billion of aid;
- The cancellation of debts owed by 18 of the world's poorest countries;
- A proposal for AIDS treatment for everyone who requires it by 2010.
You can read the full Communiqué by visiting the G8 Summit 2005 website. However, there is still a great deal more that needs to be achieved. Find out more by visiting the MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY response to the G8 Summit Communiqué.
Make Poverty History is a member of the Global Campaign Against Poverty (GCAP) and alongside the hundreds of member agencies in the UK we are also uniting with people around the world to call on the G8 to make poverty history. Read some of the letters on the right written to the G8 leaders from around the world.
UK-based organisations and groups that want to join MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY can do so through BOND - British Overseas NGOs for Development (www.bond.org.uk). BOND is a network of UK-based voluntary organisations working in international development and development education.
Texting Partner: www.comicrelief.org
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