h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

What are your thoughts on the upcoming G 8 conference? Are you campaigning for Make Poverty History campaign? And is anyone planning to go to Live8 or The Long Marxh for Justice? (I'd love to, but just not possible.)

I feel very strongly about the issues of poverty (see my most recent journal entry.) I find it disgusting that the world leaders will not take responsibility for the rest of the earth's population. Hopefully, that will change.

DV.

I hope some of you share my political views...

Well... It's good that you are hopeful! I can't say the same for myself
And I am not very sure that all these campaigns and marches can help... Not that I am against that! Hope you don't get me wrong! I just think that those problems can't be solved by us. Rich people take the money and make the others poor. And a march or two, or.. 100, won't make them give their money away.
On the other hand may be if there are enough people protesting and demanding it may help... May be it's worth trying!
By the way, what is this Make Poverty History campaign?

It's here: http://www.makepovertyhistory.org

Jules

Thanks I'll take a look at that now...

Make Poverty History is basically the name of all the things going on to pressure the G 8 into increasing aid, making better trade regulations and cancelling debt. Live8, the Long March to Justice, and the white bands is all part of that.

It is called Make Povery History in Britain, Australia, and most of the rest of the world. In America they are calling it the ONE campaign.

And the marches are going to be quite big, especially the Long March to Justice, which really is the main event. They are expecting thousands and thousands of people.

Not that it will immediately help the Make Poverty History, I have put the idea up at my school (and it has been accepted) that on the White Band day, July 1, our school all wear white bands and give a donation. It won't change the mind of the G 8, but we will invite the media to have a look, and that will create people aware where we are. This may cause them to take their action.

While I accept your point of view, if everyone thought that it wouldn't change things, then no one would bother. This is an issue that must be dealt with, and I very strongly hope it will.

DV.

THE FOLLOWING IS AN E-MAIL I WROTE CONCERNING THE MAKE POVERTY HISTORY CAMPAIGNS. FEEL FREE TO COPY THIS AND PUT IT INTO AN E-MAIL OF YOUR OWN. I BELIEVE THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT CAUSE AND IS SOMETHING WE SHOULD ALL DO SOMETHING ABOUT...


Today, 30 000 children in the world would have died from starvation. Literally millions of people are abjected to extreme poverty every single day. In Africa, there are many, many people who are mal-nutritioned, hungry, un-educated, illitrate, with AIDs, and faced with conflict every day of their lives. This is not acceptable.

We, as a world community, must help our fellow people in poverty stricken nations. The way to do this is through the governments. In July, England will be hosting the G8 conference. The world leaders of the 8 most powerful nations on earth will come together to discuss world issues. They must help put an end to poverty. We want to put pressure on them to increase aid, cancel all debt, increase trade justice, and help these nations re-build.

To put an end to poverty by 2015, as the UN has set the goal to, we can help in many ways. We may not all be able to go on the Long march for Justice in Edinburgh, or to one of Bob Geldof's Live8 concerts, both happening on July 2nd, but there is plenty we can do to help the make Poverty History campaign. The goal of the campaign is to make the world's population speak out. You can e-mail the G8 finance ministers or world leaders (see links below), or add your names to one of the many online petitions. The world wide campaign is trying to get everyone to wear a simple white band, which can be bought in some countries, though not Australia, or simply made yourself. They should have a message on, maybe the 'Make Poverty History' slogan, although they should be predominantely white. You can make one out of an old piece of fabric.

Wear your band from now, but especially on the first White Band Day, July 1. This day millions will join us in protest, and make their voices heard to the world.

Please, forward this message on to everyone you can think to, all over the world, to help make poverty history...

The below links are available to find out more...

http://www.whiteband.org
is the address for the international campaign. You can find links to all the different nations from here.

http://www.makepovertyhistory.org/
Is a good website, based in the UK.

www.live8live.com
Is the address for Bob Geldof's Live8 concerts.

I just saw Bob Geldof on Jonathon Ross (BBC, UK). Blimey, that man knows how to get a point across. I know a lot of people se him as nothing more than a self publicist, but I honestly believe his intentions are good, and we need people like him.

Yes, I agree. One thing I find terrible is how so many dismiss and criticise him. After all, he is only trying to work towards a good cause. i also feel those who strongly criticise him for being too hopeful and him never going to make a difference have no heart, what are they doing to help humanity? After all, it's worth a shot.

one of us can not do much, but join make poverty history wear a white band

for US citizens go to http://www.one.org/

do not forget to send an e-mail to
Prime Minster Tony Blair
http://www.makepovertyhistory.org/mph/campaign.do?code=etb

President Bush
http://www.one.org/addmyvoice.aspx

thank you for conern an help!
pheloxi
web meme webguide A573040

one of us can not do much, but join make poverty history wear a white band

Don't quite see how Sir Bob's campaign will achieve anything tangible. Perhaps it might be better to focus attention on the corrupt governments and make them be transparent in the way they distribute aid to their own people. The one positive thing that he still continues to do though, is to convey his rage and incredulity that in these days of mass consumerism, poverty on this scale can still exist.

Remember, the campaigning is not only about Bob Geldof's Live8 but there are many other worldwide events happening. And yes, send the messages on the ONE and Make Poverty History website, as I and obviously pheloxi dotQ have.

Part of this campaign is happening on the internet, which is a great thing. E-mails to leaders and chain messages like mine a few posts ago can make a change. it is amazing the power of communication today.

Part of the deal that the G8 will hopefully make will be that the African governments stop all corruption and give aid where necessary.

Come on everyone, come together!
DV.

And Sir Bob Geldof has made the issue much more public. He is a very kind man who is trying for a good cause. Good on him for even trying. I still believe he, and we, can succeed.

Bod Geldof brought African images to young people by bringing with music.

I do not think we must forget Bono Vox who is campagning too.
http://www.jubileeplus.org/ * supporting economic Justice campaigns worldwide.



*formely know as jubilee2000

Agreed. Bono is also a great political campaigner who uses his fame for a good cause.

But remember, it's not just the famous who can help, it's you as well!

Just to update anyone who doesn't know, this was found on the Make Poverty History global campaing website (GCAP): http://www.whiteband.org/

The world's eight richest countries have reached a landmark debt relief deal to alleviate global poverty. The move provides relief for poor, indebted nations, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa, freeing up much-needed revenue.

Source: BBC News

Announcing the deal at a meeting of G8 finance ministers in London, the UK's Gordon Brown said now was "not a time for timidity but a time for boldness".

Britain, which will host a summit of G8 leaders next month, has vowed to make poverty reduction a priority.

The plan, which was devised by the UK, secured the backing of the US administration on Friday - paving the way for its adoption at the London meeting.

Conditions

Under the deal, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the African Development Fund will immediately write off 100% of the money owed to them by 18 countries - a total of $40bn.

This will save the group - Benin, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guyana, Honduras, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia- a total of $1.5bn a year in debt repayments.

UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown said up to 20 other countries could be eligible if they meet targets for good governance and tackling corruption.

The total package - which needs to be approved by the lending institutions - could be worth more than $55bn.

"We are presenting the most comprehensive statement that finance ministers have ever made on the issues of debt, development, health and poverty," Mr Brown said.

He added that the plan set the stage for July's G8 summit, where world leaders intend "to forge a new and better relationship, a new deal between the rich and poor countries of the world".

Saturday's agreement was hailed by US Treasury Secretary John Snow as "historic".

No apologies

Relief groups welcomed the plan as a step in the right direction - but said some it should be extended to cover more developing countries.

"The debt deal is very good news for people in the 18 countries that will immediately benefit," said Romilly Greenhill of ActionAid.

"But it will do little to immediately help millions in at least 40 other countries that also need 100% debt relief."

Earlier John Nagenda, an adviser to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, told the BBC it was time for rich nations to deliver on their promises.

"I should be more apologetic and say please help us but where I come from we believe that if you are better off than someone else you help them. It's as simple as that - it's a moral duty."

The G8 countries are the United States, Canada, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Russia.

like I say on my personal space:
one of us can not do much, but join make poverty history wear a white band

Well said!

We can't buy them in Australia, but I made a new one today, with a sewing machine and all! I had already made one, but just a strip of cloth that was fraying and looking tatty. People do notice it and ask me about it! And it is so simple to buy or make one! Especially wear yours on July 1, when a number of big events are happening, including buildings and structures in a number of countries being wrapped in giant white bands, and a number of concerts. Live8 follows on July 2nd, the same date as the vitally important Long March for Justice in Edinburgh.

Thanks, and any more comments welcome,
DV

I know...the Dutch website does not tell were I can get them in The Netherlands....

I could order them in the UK or US. I promote on the web! I will add 1 July to my meme webguide A573040

Good on you!

This campaign is going to be so big partly because of threads like this or the meme webguide on thousands of websites, as well as e-mail campaigns. The internet is really a valuable tool.

It is good that this campaign is getting so much media coverage, although most of it has to do with Live8. This is really going to be something historic.