Global Call to Action against Poverty

The Global Call to Action against Poverty is a worldwide alliance committed to making world leaders live up to their promises, and to making a breakthrough on poverty in 2005.

It is an alliance of community groups, trade unions, individuals, religious and faith groups who have united around the common cause of ending poverty.

GCAP is calling on world leaders to actively address the needs of over 1 billion people living in abject poverty through:

• Fair trade
• Cancellation of third world debt
• A major increase in the quantity and quality of aid
• National efforts to eliminate poverty and achieve the Millennium Development Goals

Wake-Up to Poverty: 10 September 2005

On 10 September, ahead of the UN Summit, people across the world will unite to demand that world leaders Wake-Up to Poverty.

Thousands of people will be holding all night vigils, breakfast meetings with politicians, all night vigils, rallies, petitions and early morning press calls. World leaders will literally wake-up to the voices of people demanding action to end poverty before they depart for the UN Summit where world leaders will assess progress and reaffirm their commitment towards the Millennium Development Goals.

These actions will be mirrored in New York on the opening day of the Summit, with a stunt including alarm clocks to ‘Wake-up’ the delegates. Millions of people will also be wearing white bands – the symbol of the campaign – to show their solidarity for an end to poverty.

GCAP calls on world leaders to reaffirm their commitments to the Millennium Development Goals. At an international level we will demand that rich countries and international institutions change trade rules, and give more and better aid and debt relief. At a national level, GCAP national coalitions will press for the specific changes that are most urgently needed to progress the MDGs and policies to eradicate poverty in their country.

What can you do?

You too can be part of this global movement by wearing a white band in 2005. Whether you are a member of an organisation, or an individual who wants to act against poverty, visit www.whiteband.org to find out how you can take action now.

To find out more about GCAP in South Africa contact Thoko on (011) 833 5959 Ext 115 or mdgadmin2@civicus.org