In 2005, world leaders were given a huge global mandate to make poverty history. Unprecedented public pressure led them to make some big promises - to increase aid, and cancel many poor countries' debts. But they haven't shown enough urgency in taking the action necessary to eradicate poverty.
But today, 5,000 children die every day from drinking dirty water. More than five million people living with HIV/AIDS still do not have access to medicines. As the clock ticks, peoples' lives are lost.
The world can't wait. The rich countries must deliver on their promises and take decisive action against poverty and climate catastrophe.
Practical Action was proud to be a member of the campaign to MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY.
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The biggest ever anti-poverty movement came together under the banner of MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY in 2005. The fight against poverty continues.
MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY aimed to end poverty by helping to bring about trade justice, more and better aid and the full and final cancellation of third world debt.
It brought together a wide cross section of 50 charities, campaigns, trade unions, faith groups and celebrities are united by a common belief that 2005 offered a unprecedented opportunity for global change.
By mobilising popular support across a unique string of events and actions, MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY urged the government and international decision makers to rise to the challenge of 2005, calling for urgent and meaningful policy change on three critical and inextricably linked areas: trade, debt and aid.
Did you wear a white band? Remember the thousands of emails you've sent? Did you rally along with quarter of a million people in Edinburgh? Then you helped deliver the pressure that made 2005 the year the world accelerated on the road towards justice.
The G8 summit fell far short of the plan that would truly make poverty history. To do that, and secure a place in history, world leaders must go a lot further at the UN Millennium Development Goals summit and world trade talks. Millions of people are trapped in the prison of poverty. The G8 chose not to do all that we have asked them that could set those people free. The people of the world are already on the road to justice. They expect their leaders to be with them. The G8 need to run much faster to catch up.
To find out more visit www.makepovertyhistory.org
- Make Poverty History rally in Edinburgh, 2 July 2005
- Aid for Africa – Practical Action seminar
- Energising poverty reduction
- Agriculture and poverty
- African Voices in Europe
- EC aid: failing Africa's poor?
- Make Hunger History
- Global Warming – the GW8
- detailed Make Poverty History response to the G8 communique
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