It was the largest demonstration that the world has ever seen. It broke a Guinness World Record for the "for the biggest mass mobilization on a single issue".Yet it failed to make headlines here in the US. Was there any coverage on the 24 hour news networks about "Stand Up Against Poverty"?Anyway, the protest has inspired Bono to write a new song on exactly what the protest was about, standing up to the leaders of the developed world, and make them be accountable to the promises they made. Reuters interviewed Bono on carrying on the theme of "Stand Up Against Poverty in song. Lesley Wroughton talked with the rock star/activist. "It's not finished yet but it's inspired by this concept of stand up. It's a little diamond, though," Bono said, speaking by telephone from Los Angeles."It's not...
If you participated in a Stand Up Against Poverty event over this past weekend, pat your self on the back.World records were shattered, with over three times the amount of people participating compared to last year. Stand Up Against Poverty was a collection of hundreds of events around the world, hoping to catch the eye of world leaders. Events were held during the entire span of the weekend, October 17-19. Events ranged from peaceful protests and concerts, to distributing books and collecting signatures for petitions. But who really deserves some congratulations is the Philippines. As the ABS-CBN reports the numbers of people who showed up in that country was truly astounding. Our clip of the article gives us the numbers. One out of every three Filipinos or a total of 35.2 million...
This time, more events and a couple of speeches.International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is being recognized around the world today. Events even continue onto the weekend as the "Stand Up Against Poverty" campaign takes place. A story in the Afrique en ligne has a good overview on both events. The events, in which the UN and its partners will participate, will hold simultaneously around the world.In Lagos, Nigeria, a concert hosted by popular musician Femi Kuti to make "Music Against Poverty" will commemorate the life of renowned Nigerian Musician Fela Kuti and Stand Up in support of the MDGs.In Tema, Ghana, "Games Against Poverty" will use sport as a platform to support the MDGs.In the United States, students will join a campus challenge to build political will to end extreme...
Dont forget! I almost did!Hundreds of events are taking place around the world this weekend, hoping to catch the eye of world leaders. "Stand Up Against Poverty" is a global effort that invites people to do something, it's better than sitting down.There is a couple of differences form this year event from the past. Events will be during the entire span of the weekend instead of one day. Also, the events will invite people to take action such as sending letters to your government, organising teach-ins, distributing books or other educational materials.To find an event near you hit their website.A click thru map of the world will your guide to an event near you.In our home state of Michigan "Stand Up"s are in Brighton, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Big Rapids, and Holland. I will have to do a...
from All AfricaThe NEWS (Monrovia)NEWSBy Jimmey C. FahngonMonroviaThousands of students mostly from public schools in Monrovia on Wednesday stood up for several hours in a campaign to eradicate poverty in their country.The 'stand up' was also in celebration of this year's World Poverty Eradication Day which is celebrated on October 17 each year.Some of the student spoke with The NEWS and said their action was geared towards reminding world leaders to fulfill their promise made during the 2000 New York Millennium conference at which time it was agreed to reduce poverty by half by 2015.But the students said since the declaration by world leaders much was yet to be seen by them especially in Africa as it relates to reducing poverty in 2015.Student Jacqualine Wesseh said it was incumbent upon...
from the Philippine Daily InquirerBy Tina Santos, Kenneth del Rosario, Vincent CabrezaInquirerMANILA, Philippines -- Some 2,000 Filipinos, including government officials, teachers, students and soldiers, Wednesday joined a global campaign to end poverty by standing up and making a symbolic pledge at the Rizal Park in Manila.They pledged to reject not only excuses that allow 50,000 people to die every day because of extreme poverty but also the growing gap between the rich and the poor.They also urged government leaders to govern fairly, fight corruption and fulfill human rights.Many of them wore white wristbands with sketches of multicolored human figures.Organizers in the country expected three million people to stand up and make the pledge -- in parks, government and private offices,...
from The Burlington PostSince 1993, each Oct. 17 has been observed as International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.With a recent proclamation from Mayor Cam Jackson, the day will now be recognized in Burlington as Make Poverty History Day.The national Make Poverty History campaign was launched in 2005 as part of a global call to action against poverty.The campaign and its Burlington chapter are calling for more and better international aid, cancellation of debt to the world's poorest countries, fair trade practices and an end to child poverty in Canada. Residents can join the more than 245,000 Canadians who have endorsed the campaign by visiting www.makepovertyhistory.ca.For information on the Burlington chapter, e-mail John Versluis at burlingtonmph@cogeco.ca....
from The Times of MaltaClaudia CallejaWorld poverty may be the last thing on people's mind in the wake of yesterday's budget but standing up in solidarity with the eradication of poverty would not cost anyone anything.Today and tomorrow, thousands of people all over the world will be standing up for a minute - from this evening at 9 to tomorrow at the same time - to underscore the urgency in eliminating human rights violation and extreme poverty."We feel there are a lot of people out there who believe that poverty should be eradicated and that decision makers ought to be more responsible. By standing up for one minute, people are making a public manifestation to decision makers... This is a case where the numbers count," the chairman of the National Platform of Maltese Non-Governmental...
from MENAFNMillions of people around the world are expected to "Stand Up and Speak Out" in support of the UNMC Millennium Development Goals today and tomorrow, committing to end poverty and inequality by the year 2015.In the UAE, organisers expect that thousands of children, men and women from various institutions and organisations will pledge their support to eradicating poverty and inequality as they "Stand Up" for 2 minutes in their own locations and send in their numbers to make a Guinness World Record, breaking last year's record of 23.25 million people who "Stood Up" on the same day.Organised by the United Nation's Development Programme (UNDP) along with IAHV and the Art of Living, the "Stand Up and Speak Out" campaign comes with the personal endorsement of Princess Haya bint Al...
from Yahoo NewsBy IANSJaipur, Oct 15 (IANS) As many as 500,000 people across 18 Rajasthan districts are likely to 'stand up and speak out' against poverty and inequality as part of events organised by an NGO here Wednesday in collaboration with the UN Millennium Campaign.The Centre for Community Economics and Development Consultants Society has joined hands with the UN Millennium Campaign, which has given a global call to mobilise people Oct 16-17 to support citizens' efforts to hold their government accountable for the achievement of the millennium development goals (MDGs).Wednesday is also being observed as International Day for Eradication of Poverty.Thousands of people across 50 places in Rajasthan are expected to participate in the event.'The number of participants is expected to be...
from Chick WallaOCTOBER 17 is the day of action for the Global Campaign Against Poverty (GCAP). It is also the UN day for the eradication of poverty. Hundreds of Voices will be singing from the same new hymn sheet on Oct 17.Only its not a hymn. The Poverty Requiem is the most vibrant, rhythmic new piece of world music to be sung by ordinary people in over 27 countries all at the same time. It had its world premiere earlier this year in Kenya.Its about demanding change to world trade systems, justices and democracy in the world’s poorest nations. Thousands of people are singing supported by 153 countries forming the GCAP coalition. They are demanding changes to trade laws that restrict fair trade and exploitation that causes unfair competition. Poverty and greed that leads to wars, over...
from All AfricaNew Era (Windhoek)NEWSBy Catherine SasmanWindhoekOn October 16 and 17, people around the world will, in symbolic gesture, stand up and speak out against poverty, New Era reports.Over a period of 24 hours from nine in the morning GMT on October 16 to midnight on October 17, people from all corners of the globe and all walks of life will gather in school halls, public spaces, offices, churches, on sports grounds, or in the streets to be part of the biggest ever mass action against poverty and inequality, and in support of the Millennium Development Goals.The global action will take place within 90 countries within a week-and-a-half before the International Day of Eradication on Poverty.The 'Stand Up and Speak Out' campaign calls upon people to literally and symbolically do...
from ScoopKiwis to Take a Stand in UN Fight Against PovertyNew Zealanders will join millions around the world in a massive United Nations Millennium Campaign (UNMC) event on October 17 to Stand Up & Speak Out against poverty.Lunchtime events are being held in Auckland's Myers Park, Wellington's Civic Square, and Christchurch's City Mall, allowing ordinary New Zealanders to remind our leaders to honour international efforts to eradicate poverty.The campaign supports the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), a set of eight time-bound targets to which world leaders committed themselves. When achieved, they would end extreme poverty worldwide by 2015. The goals are: 1) eradicating extreme poverty and hunger; 2) achieving universal primary education; 3) promoting gender equality and empowering...
from SimcoeGeorgian College staff, students and faculty will soon join millions of people around the world as they Stand Up and Speak Out to Make Poverty History.Stand Up is an innovative and exciting challenge issued by the Global Call to Action Against Poverty and the United Nations Millennium Campaign.Last year, 23.5 million people worldwide, including 49,000 Canadians, stood up against poverty in a 24-hour period, setting a Guinness World Record.The intent is to let world leaders know that they are being held accountable for their promises to end poverty by 2015.A Stand Up event can be any type of gathering – concerts, sporting matches, movie theatres are just some examples. It can take place anywhere – at work, in the streets, at the family dinner table or in the classroom. The...