Global Call to Action Against Poverty Mobilisation

GLOBAL CALL TO ACTION AGAINST POVERTY

MOBILISATION TOOLKIT FOR OCTOBER 17 2007 INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ERADICATION OF POVERTY

www.whiteband.org

The Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP) is a global alliance of International NGOs, grass roots organizations, trade unions, community groups, women’s organizations, faith groups, youth groups, local associations and other campaigners working together across more than 100 national coalitions. GCAP is calling for action from the world’s leaders to meet their promises to end poverty and inequality. The white band is our symbol and expression of solidarity against poverty.

Outline of Contents

1. Note from the Mobilisation Task Force 3

2. Overview 4 - Why October 17? - What do we want to achieve? - What is our message?

3. GCAP Menu of Activities for October 17, 2007 6 a) Stand Up and Speak Out World Record Attempt 7 - general information 7 - text from the brochure 8 - Frequently asked questions 10 - Creative ways to stand up and speak out 11 - Visual ideas for big events 12 - Internet campaigning 12 - Upcoming resources 12 - The pledge 13 - Sample letter for outreach 14 b) Delegations to Political Decision Makers 15 c) Banners Against Poverty 17 d) The Poverty Requiem 20 e) Ambassadors 21 f) International Women’s Tribunal on Poverty 22

4. Media 23 - media timeline 23 - Top-line messaging 24 - Sample media advisory 27

5. Outreach 29 - Types of civil society networks 29 - Diary reminder 30

6. Timeline for upcoming materials and resources 31

NOTE FROM THE MOBILISATION TASK FORCE

2007 is an important milestone year for GCAP. We began the year mobilising around gender equality on March 8th, International Women’s Day, and on 7/7/7 we marked the mid-way point of the Millennium Development Goals, with mobilisations taking place in over 50 countries.

In Montevideo, GCAP national coalitions from all around the world came together and made the decision to continue the Global Call until 2015.

We also confirmed our commitment to a day of joint global actions this year on October 17, the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

This toolkit, put together by the Mobilisation Task Force, is intended to act as a guide to national coalitions for ideas around joint activities on this day. It is an extension to the 2007 Mobilisation Guide which was distributed in May at the Montevideo meeting and provides further tools and activities specific to the Global White Band Day.

The toolkit is intended to provide a “menu of activities” for national coalitions. It is based on ideas coming forth from national coalitions and extensive consultation and discussion over the preceding months amongst members of the Mobilisation Task Force and their regions and constituents. We understand that due to the diverse nature of our coalitions, that activities will be selected or adapted based on national contexts. Similarly, political messaging should be adapted to suit national targets. We hope that the materials and ideas provided here reflect the diversity of our members and the Southern-led nature of the campaign.

We also recognise that mobilisation is a process by which we continually build momentum to achieve our aims. We see the joint Global Day of Action on October 17 as an opportunity to come together and demonstrate the strength, numbers and diversity of people both working for and supporting the movement to eradicate extreme poverty. The slogan we have adopted for this day as stated in the Brussels Communiqué is “Stand Up and Speak Out”, followed by a political demand relevant to national contexts. This is further discussed in the messaging section.

We hope that national coalitions will find the following pages useful and relevant and we are available to answer questions relating to these ideas. Each activity has a point of contact that is ready and willing to assist. For general enquiries, contact [email protected]

In solidarity,

The Mobilisation Task Force

OVERVIEW

WHY OCTOBER 17?

17 October, World Day to Overcome Extreme Poverty, was created twenty years ago by the initiative of people living in poverty across the world, North and South, with ordinary citizens acting together to defend human rights violated by extreme poverty. Led by the ATD Fourth World Movement, public events continued around the world each October 17th. In 1992, the UN recognised the date as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

Since its creation, October 17 has been a day for those living in extreme poverty to speak out and for all citizens to consider how they can contribute to the eradication of extreme poverty.

This year, GCAP has nominated October 17 as the Global White Band Day and will be inviting millions of people all over the world to Stand Up and Speak Out, mobilising against injustice and calling on political leaders to act to end poverty and inequality.

WHAT DO WE WANT TO ACHIEVE?

to create a mass mobilisation that has a direct impact on political decision makers so that they are held to account to their promises to eradicate poverty and to meet and exceed the Millennium Development Goals.

to reach out to people to join the movement, using the day to build our numbers of supporters beyond the 23 million who participated in the Stand Up moment last year.

to inspire, inform and involve people, to Stand Up and Speak Out against Poverty and Inequality, to join the movement not just for one day but until our policy demands are met.

For actions to take place in as many of the 110+ countries with GCAP coalitions as possible, creating a powerful call at the national level.

for people living in poverty themselves to be able to testify to their daily efforts to fight poverty and live in dignity.

for all of our voices to be heard around the world, directly to decision makers and through local, national and global media.

for people to unify under the symbol of the white band, the global symbol for the call to action against poverty.

to create a powerful global political moment that will force decision makers to take notice and will position GCAP and its national coalitions as a strong vehicle for progressive political change in years to come.

WHAT IS OUR MESSAGE?

The core global slogan is “Stand Up and Speak Out”. National GCAP coalitions should determine their political messaging according to national priorities, based on the demands of the Beirut Declaration and reaffirmed in the Montevideo Declaration:

• Public accountability, just governance and the fulfilment of human rights • Trade Justice • A major increase in the quantity and quality of aid and financing for development • Debt cancellation • Achieve and exceed the Millennium Development Goals • Gender equality

The following is from the Brussels communiqué:

We reaffirm our commitment to using the White Band as a common symbol to unite our actions.

We agreed the following slogan for the joint global White Band Day. We also encourage its use throughout the year. The slogan is “Stand Up and Speak Out:” followed by a political demand based on the Beirut declaration. National and Regional coalitions and other constituencies are encouraged to determine what political demand works best for them within the Beirut mandate. Several examples are given below, other examples from the Beirut mandate can also be used. Translations will be agreed on future IFT meetings for French, Spanish and Arabic.

Stand Up and Speak Out: - End Poverty and Inequality - Trade Justice now - Achieve Millennium Development Goals / Exceed Millennium - Development Goals - For Decent work - Drop the Debt! - More and Better Aid now! - Govern for the People - Public Accountability - For Human rights - For Gender Equality - For Women’s rights - For Child rights - For Youth rights

Particular national based political demands can also be used such as: Stand Up Speak Out: - Nine is Mine - 36 Pesos is not enough

There is further information in the “Media and Messaging” section at the end of this toolkit.

GCAP MENU OF ACTIVITIES 17TH OCTOBER 2007

How to use this toolkit:

A number of different activities have been agreed by the GCAP International Facilitation Team and are being planned by the Mobilisation Taskforce for 17th October.

This is a menu of activities. National Coalitions should use the below as a guide and choose the activities they want to take part in, although we would encourage worldwide participation in as many of the activities as possible.

Coalitions will need to insert their own messaging and political demands.

STAND UP AND SPEAK OUT WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT

GCAP support team contact point: [email protected]

Important Note: The timing of the The World Record Attempt has changed from that in the Mobilisation Guide, It will take place from 9pm GMT on the 16th October, through to 9pm GMT on the 17th of October.

What’s different about it this year?

• the “Speak Out” element to the slogan has been added to encourage participants to speak out against poverty and its root causes. Further information on how to do that is included in the next section

• We want to break the record from last year and aim to mobilise at least 50 million people to Stand Up and Speak Out.

• We want to make it more political!

• We want people to take further action!

• We want to inspire people to join the Global Call to Action Against Poverty

THE NEXT TWO PAGES ARE THE TEXT VERSION OF THE “STAND UP” BROCHURE WHICH IS AVAILABLE WITH THIS TOOLKIT. NATIONAL COALITIONS CAN CREATE THEIR OWN MATERIALS OR USE THE GENERAL BROCHURE PROVIDED.

WHAT IS STAND UP AND SPEAK OUT? STAND UP and SPEAK OUT is a worldwide call to take action against poverty and inequality and for achieving and exceeding the Millennium Development Goals. On October 16th and 17th people will literally and symbolically Stand Up and Speak Out demanding their governments keep their promises to end extreme poverty and meet and exceed the Millennium Development Goals. Last year, more than 23 million people took part and set a new Guinness World Record. This year, we want you to help break this record so the message rings even louder. Every person counts! WHY STAND UP AND SPEAK OUT? In 2000, leaders of 189 countries signed up to the Millennium Development Goals, a global plan to halve extreme poverty by 2015. Yet, every day, 50,000 people die as a result of extreme poverty and the gap between rich and poor is getting wider. We need you to STAND UP and SPEAK OUT to make governments honour their commitments on more and better aid, debt cancellation, trade justice, gender equality and public accountability. It will not happen without all of us taking a stand.

HOW CAN YOU OR YOUR ORGANIZATION GET INVOLVED? There are two ways you and your organization can join this exciting global day of action: 1. JOIN AN EXISTING EVENT The United Nations Millennium Campaign and the Global Call to Action Against Poverty are working with a large number of national and local partners. From schools and universities to local community groups, women’s groups, choirs and sporting clubs to faith groups, trade unions to corporations and many more. Entertaining and engaging events are being organised in villages and cities around the world. You can join these events – or encourage a group or organization you are a part of to attend. This is a unique opportunity to speak with one voice on one issue on one day. We need you to get the message across and set a new world record in the process. If you or your organization wants to be more involved, why not get in touch with the event organizer and be part of the planning. 2. ARRANGE YOUR OWN STAND UP EVENT a) Choose the location: It could be a park, a public square, a school, a university, a hall or your workplace b) Choose the event: A music concert, a performance a, carnival, a film screening - you can be creative as you like. or • Insert a STAND UP and SPEAK OUT moment into an existing event: Schools & Universities: In class or school assemblies Places of worship: Engage faith leaders to lead a moment during the service Football and other sports matches: Before or after an event or during half-time Cinemas and theatres: Ask the audience to take part before the show Workplaces: Engage companies to get their employees to take part during their working day c) Choose an event leader: A person from your organization or a high profile person/celebrity from the community can be invited to be the host. d) Let everyone know about the event using e-mail, letters, flyers and posters. Where appropriate inform local or national media that the event is taking place. All actions must take place within 24 hours between 9pm GMT on October 16th to 9pm GMT on October 17th to count towards breaking the Guinness World Record set last year.

ON THE DAY: HOW TO "STAND UP AND SPEAK OUT" 8

• Plan the event so the STAND UP and SPEAK OUT moment takes place at the best possible time. • The event leader gives a brief explanation of what STAND UP and SPEAK OUT is all about. - a chance to join a growing number of people demanding an end to poverty and inequality – and being part of a world record in the process. • Everyone is then asked to come together and sit or kneel down (people with disabilities can be counted by their presence at an event or by performing any appropriate symbolic action). • The crowd then STAND UP in unison and SPEAK OUT against poverty and for the MDGs. Once they have stood up the crowds can be asked to perform an appropriate symbolic action such as reading an anti poverty pledge, lifting arms, waving flags etc. • A core STAND UP pledge will be available for download on the www.standagainstpoverty.org website It can be adapted or replaced entirely to include a message relevant to you. • Ask the audience to record this STAND UP and SPEAK OUT moment on digital cameras, mobile phones or video recorders and upload them at www.standagainstpoverty.org . • The last but crucial step is to count or estimate as accurately as possible the number of people taking part in your event and report these to the organizers. These figures will be added to the total record-breaking numbers. HOW TO BE COUNTED AND WHY? • For this mobilisation to have real impact we need to be able to tell our leaders and the world that millions stood up to demand poverty eradication and that the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals are a political priority. • Event organizers need to take responsibility for pre-registering their events and after completing the action recording their final STAND UP and SPEAK OUT numbers via the online form at www.standagainstpoverty.org. It is also possible to engage in the Guinness record attempt virtually using SMS and through online communities. Details of how to register these virtual actions can be found on our web-site. For those not able to access the web you can fax number submissions to your local GCAP / UN Millennium Campaign office.

Some Frequently Asked Questions About Stand Up and Speak Out:

How does “Standing Up” help fight poverty and inequality? Standing up is a symbolic action to show your support of a speech, person or idea. It is not just an action but a display of solidarity. When millions of people around the world stand up together, it is a demonstration of the power of civil society to organise around a common goal. It shows the strength in our united struggle against poverty and inequality.

Why does it matter? In history we remember the people who stood up and spoke out “against” or “for” something. Nelson Mandela stood up and spoke out against apartheid. William Wilberforce stood up and spoke out for the abolition of slavery. Millions of women stood up and spoke out, and continue to do so, in the fight for gender equality. We are asking people to stand up and speak out to end extreme poverty. October 17 is our day to show our solidarity in this important global movement.

How do we make it more political? The strength of your political message is up to you. Standing up and speaking out is just the beginning. Use the day to take the message to your politicians, to build your numbers of supporters, to talk to the media. Build in follow up ideas into your materials and events, such as sending e-mails, text messages, writing letters, signing petitions.

How do we make it more powerful? Use the speak out element to motivate participants with speeches, slogans and rallying cries. Involve the crowd in speaking out.

Why do we need to count the numbers? We want to show decision makers the massive scale of the movement of people against poverty. We all estimate numbers of supporters at our events for reporting and media purposes. The difference this time is that we are adding the numbers from events all over the world together. The Guinness record allows us to verify those numbers.

Why this action? Stand Up and Speak Out is a simple action that can be done by anyone, anywhere, with as few or as many resources as are available. It can be built into any event and made as creative or political as needed in the national political context. It can be an action with 1 or 1 million people, in rural areas in the South or in the middle of Time Square New York.

CREATIVE WAYS TO STAND UP AND SPEAK OUT

Here are some creative ways to organise a “stand up event”. Remember, to be counted towards the record you must literally stand up from a seated, squatting or kneeling position – but you can incorporate some of the following:

IF YOU’RE ACTIVE: • Tie white bands on your bicycles and organise hundreds of cyclists to ride through the city or town together, or from one city to another • Organise a “walk against poverty” and finish outside a politically strategic building • Run a marathon wearing GCAP or Stand Up t-shirts • Rollerblade through the city carrying banners and white flags

IF YOU’RE A STUDENT: • Hold a debate in your school or university and invite your local politician and a representative from your local GCAP coalition to attend • Get involved in the “banners against poverty” project • Make speeches in your school assembly or lectures • Put on a play or performance that deals with the issues of poverty • Join in the poverty requiem • Show a film, documentary or clip that talks about poverty • Put on a concert • If you have a camera and access to internet, record stand up and speak out clips and put them on Youtube.

IF YOU’RE AT WORK: • Ask your colleagues to join you in a stand up moment in your office or outside, show a clip or give out information about the campaign and invite them to join • Ask colleagues to sign a petition against poverty to send to your local politician • Invite members of your trade union to participate in a rally against poverty

IF YOU’RE AT HOME: • Invite your neighbours to participate in a stand up event in a local area or organise one in your home. Encourage them to become active in the campaign and even start a local community group to work together on issues of poverty in your area • Organise neighbours to make a visit to your local politician or to sign a group petition

IF YOU WANT TO REACH NEW PEOPLE: Find an existing event where many people are gathering – a local sporting event, cinema etc and ask to have a Stand Up and Speak Out moment inserted into the event at the beginning. Plan to have a speaker who can talk about the issues and if it is a cinema, organise to show a clip about the campaign. An up to date list of materials will be at www.standagainstpoverty.org

VISUAL IDEAS FOR BIG EVENTS

Here are some of the ideas we are receiving from national coalitions that we would like to share with you. We are discussing the idea of selecting some of the biggest, most colourful events as “focus” cities and we would love to hear your plans. Please fill in the attached table asking for your plans and email to [email protected] copy to your regional secretariat.

Note: This is the “creative mobilisation” aspect of the day – it is up to you to use speeches, debates, forums, printed materials and other means to get your political message across and make change happen!

Photography exhibitions Processions with giant puppets Acrobats, human pyramids, dancers Rallies in slums with drama, songs and dances Film festivals and projection of images onto giant public screens Using iconic buildings to wrap in white bands Ask artists to make murals and chalk drawings, invite community and students to participate in creating a giant mural Use a colour theme – white or the colour of your choice – ask people to dress in that colour and make human formations of letters or white bands Make giant letters and display in front of iconic buildings Use mime artists and drama Candle light events

HOW CAN NATIONAL COALITIONS USE THE INTERNET IN CAMPAIGNING? • Use GCAPs www.whiteband.org website as a source of information, updates and as a means of accessing national websites. • Use your national homepage as a source of mobilisation information and updates. • Send out consistent emails that have a specific action recipients can take • Utilize popular social networking sites for the promotion of actions. The popularity of sites differs for every country so consult those in the know. Some examples include creating an event on Facebook.com or creating a group on takingitglobal.org • Be creative and engage people where they are online

UPCOMING RESOURCES

We are working with a global agency pro-bono which has offices in over 80 countries to try to develop some more creative materials, media space and advertising that will help to get the message out. We will be updating through our e-letters, regional secretariats and other means.

We will also be sending a Guinness counting note, fax back form and checklist by August 17.

THE PLEDGE

Note: - The pledge is NOT a compulsory component of the world record attempt - Event organisers can use the below pledge as an example and adapt it to suit national/local contexts, OR - Write their own pledge OR - Use slogans and simple messages OR - Have no pledge component

“Could I ask you all please to Stand Up Against Poverty - ( THEY STAND )

We are standing now with millions around the world on this symbolic day, the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, to show our commitment to the fight against extreme poverty and inequality.

We are standing because we refuse to accept more excuses in a world where 50,000 people die every day as a result of extreme poverty and the gap between rich and poor is getting wider.

We are standing because we want our leaders to honour their promises to meet the Millennium Development Goals – and we ask them to exceed these goals.

We join in solidarity with people from over 100 countries to say:

To the leaders of the wealthy countries – We urge you to keep your promises on poverty – debt cancellation, more and better aid, trade justice and gender equality.

To the leaders of poorer countries – make it your first responsibility to save the lives of your poorest citizens. We ask you to tackle inequality, to be accountable to your people, to govern fairly and justly, to fight corruption and to fulfil human rights.

Today, and every day, we will stand up and speak out against poverty. We will continue the fight against poverty and inequality and to hold our leaders to their promises.

We are asking not for charity but for justice. We are millions of voices standing in solidarity to say, no more excuses - end poverty now.

Dear *****,

Re: Appeal for Action on October 16th and 17th 2007 – STAND UP and SPEAK OUT against Poverty and Inequality.

We are writing to you about the planned actions around October 16th and 17th, this year’s STAND UP and SPEAK OUT initiative. The Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP) and the UN Millennium Campaign are planning a number of unique and exciting actions to maintain the momentum and pressure on leaders in both rich and poor countries to honour the commitments they have made to end poverty and to meet and exceed the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Last year 23.5 million people around the world took part in the Stand Up initiative by physically and intentionally Standing Up against poverty and in support of the Millennium Goals. By doing so, they set the first ever Guinness World record for the most number of people ever to Stand Up against poverty. Their actions also sent a clear message to governments, that there is a growing global movement of people no longer prepared to stay seated or silent in the face of poverty and broken promises.

In 2007, the half way point to the 2015 deadline for the achievement of the MDGs, it is more urgent than ever that we unite in our efforts to send an even louder message to decision makers and governments: we expect to see action on the commitments you have made, there is no excuse. The STAND UP and SPEAK OUT initiative provides an opportunity to once again reinvigorate the momentum to ensure that development issues remain a priority on the global political agenda.

On October 16th and 17th, to coincide with the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, we will be attempting to break last year’s world record by asking people all over the world to STAND UP and SPEAK OUT against poverty and inequality and for meeting and exceeding the MDGs.

We would like to request your leadership and support to mobilize your partners and networks to actively engage in this initiative. We have already received a hugely positive response from civil society groups globally and by acting together in this simple but powerful way, we aim to show the size and strength of public support for ending extreme poverty and for the achievement of the MDGs. In the last ten years, extreme poverty has killed more people than all of the wars of the 20th century combined. We have the ability and resources to end the daily tragedy of 50,000 unnecessary deaths but now, we urgently need the political will. We invite you to bring the power of your members to this worldwide mobilization through three actions.

First, on October 16th and 17th, we hope you will be able to mobilise as many people as possible to STAND UP and SPEAK OUT against poverty and inequality and for the achievement of the MDGs and join our world record breaking attempt. To this end, please find attached a brochure that outlines practical and logistical information on how to engage with the STAND UP and SPEAK OUT initiative and also a technical note on how to be counted. There are a number of other activities being organised around this initiative including visits to political leaders and mobilisation activities such as Banners against Poverty and the Poverty Requiem, details of which can be found on the whiteband.org site.

Second, we want to invite you personally to join one of the highlighted STAND UP and SPEAK OUT events being organised by GCAP and the UN Millennium Campaign national partners across the world. You can find out more information on what events and actions are being planned in your area by logging on to www.standagainstpoverty.org or contacting your national GCAP coalition. The full list of national GCAP focal points is available at www.whiteband.org.

Third, we are hoping that you could widely distribute the attached brochure to all members of your community or constituency. We need to demonstrate to governments the massive and diverse constituency calling for action against poverty. It is essential therefore that as many people as possible receive details of the activity and any help you can provide in distributing this would be greatly appreciated. The idea of STAND UP and SPEAK OUT is simple for people to engage with and as the attached document shows, it is easy to communicate. The brochure is available electronically to download and print at www.standagainstpoverty.org. The brochure is available in several languages: English, French, Spanish, Arabic, and Portuguese and has been designed so that it is easy to photocopy and e-mail.

Thanks for your continued efforts and support in the fight against poverty and inequality. By standing together and speaking out, we will advance the cause of justice and save lives.

Best Wishes,

DELEGATIONS TO POLITICAL DECISION MAKERS

What are delegations to heads of state/political decision makers? On and around 17th October, national GCAP coalitions worldwide will nominate small delegations to visit their heads of state or other political leaders to remind them of their promises to end poverty and inequality. These delegations will speak out on behalf of civil society directly to those in power, demanding that political leaders do more to tackle poverty and inequality, delivering the message that they will be held to account by their people every year on 17th October.

The visits to political decision makers will aim to:

• Present a political declaration that elicits specific demands relevant to their political and regional contexts based on the GCAP core policy demands

• Influence political leaders to take urgent action in order to end poverty/inequality

• Secure media coverage and public support for October 17th and the campaign

Note: Some national coalitions may also wish to visit their Finance and Development Ministers as they are expected to attend the IFIs (World Bank and IMF) annual meeting due to take place in the days immediately after October 17. GCAP is currently working on a policy document to refine GCAP’s demands and messaging on IFIs which will be made available to national coalitions for use or adaptation. We encourage national coalitions to use the IFI messaging as part of a common global demand, but also strongly endorse that national coalitions focus on the demands that are most relevant to their own national context. A political declaration will be shared with national coalitions which may be adapted as needed.

Why is it important to visit your political decision makers on October 17th? National Coalitions will make their voices heard directly to their leaders asking them to deliver on their promises to alleviate poverty and inequality. This is the day when dossiers are presented and discussed with those in position to bring about change. It is also an opportunity for civil society to act together and hold leaders to account for previous commitments. Specific questions could be addressed to them, including:

• What they have done to fight poverty and inequality in their country? • What have been the results of national poverty reduction strategies/plans? • Other questions adapted for the local context around the fight against poverty and inequality.

Political decision makers would hear from those who are fighting to improve the living conditions of the poor and marginalized and demonstrate the positive impact it has made to their lives.

Who should be joining a delegation? Delegations should be representative of the population of the country, including women and men, people living in poverty, representatives of the major faiths, workers and union representatives, youth leaders, celebrities and goodwill ambassadors, civil society activists, etc. Delegations should strive to have gender balance and raise issues concerning women and the feminization of poverty. 15

October 17th delegations around the world

Delegations to political decision makers will be organised in several countries worldwide.

For example, Senegal, a delegation of GCAP representatives is planning to meet the President and members of the government to present a political declaration on ending poverty in Senegal.

Planning a delegation to your Heads of State/political decision maker Members of National Coalitions need to strategise together on what dates work best and prepare a checklist. The following are suggestions on some important steps:

• Discuss this event in a Oct 17th national planning meeting • Draft a letter to send well ahead to political leaders • Develop key political messages to be presented to political leaders • Provide a list of delegation members and appoint a spokesperson • Announce this event in the national media and in other CSO networks

Outcomes The Heads of states and political leaders would be encouraged to make a specific pledge on fighting poverty and inequality in their countries..

The media and the public will be better informed and will show greater interest in GCAP’s political demands and poverty issues in their country.

Media opportunities This event would allow for good opportunities for powerful images and headlines about the effects of poverty and inequality. It will also provide some good news stories of people who managed to escape from those terrible living conditions and how their lives have been transformed. National coalitions should make sure there are a photographer and possibly a film crew present.

Some national coalitions may chose to broadcast the meeting on the internet to increase the openness and accountability of this action and to bring it to a wider audience.

Timing – It is important to think ahead to ensure that media opportunities do not clash with other large events that are taking media attention.

Press releases – National coalitions are invited to write a press release and distribute it widely before the event to print, broadcast and online media.

Having spokespeople and key messages for the event will help national coalitions in their dealings with the press and to avoid confused mixed messages.

If you need to know who else is organising a delegation to a Head of State in your region, see GCAP website www.whiteband.org or contact Katie Allen, [email protected]

The following is the “Banners Against Poverty” Toolkit which is available online to the public at www.bannersagainstpoverty.com

National coalitions who are participating in this project can use and distribute this kit separately or they can adapt it to suit their own national political contexts.

For more information contact [email protected]

WHAT’S IT ABOUT?

The Banners Against Poverty Project invites people from all over the world to make banners that creatively express people’s demands for the world to take action to end extreme poverty.

The banners are an expression of the “white band”, the global symbol for call to action against poverty.

School students, faith groups, community groups, trade unions, women’s groups and all members of civil society will be making banners with slogans, signatures, political messages, handprints and drawings.

The banners will be displayed on October 17, 2007, the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty and the Global White Band Day. On this day, millions of people around the world will take part in actions under the slogan “Stand Up and Speak Out”. The Banners Project is one of many global actions people can participate in.

WHO’S DOING IT?

The project is an initiative of the Global Call to Action against Poverty, a worldwide alliance of alliance of trade unions, community groups, NGOs, faith groups, youth, women and other campaigners working together across more than 100 national platforms. GCAP is calling for action from the world’s leaders to meet their promises to end poverty and inequality.

Already in Pakistan, local communities have made a 4km long banner, and in Australia school students have put together around 2km of banners. Other countries in Africa and the US are beginning to join up. We’d like to make it a really international effort and have banners displayed all over the world.

HOW DO I GET INVOLVED?

Organisations and Individuals: - get a group of people together to work on one – or more – banners - find out more about the issues and the demands of the Global Call to Action against Poverty at www.whiteband.org. You can find information there about your country and the contact for the campaign in your country - let us know about your plans through the form on www.bannersagainstpoverty.com

National GCAP coalitions: - contact the global coordinator, [email protected] to let him know your country will be participating - get in touch with local organizations that you work with, schools, universities, faith groups etc, give them this toolkit and let them know how to get involved

HOW DO I DISPLAY THE BANNERS?

There are several ways of using and displaying the banners:

1. Put them up outside your organization, school, university, place of worship or place of work so that everyone can see them in the lead up to and on the day of October 17. If you have some very creative banners to display you might like to invite the local media to take a photo and do a story on the Global White Band Day. 2. Some countries, like Pakistan and Australia, have coordinators that are sewing all the banners together to make one giant banner which will be displayed in a public place. To find out if your country is participating contact [email protected] or speak to your national GCAP coordinator. You could even volunteer to be the contact point for your country. 3. You could also organize to display the banners in an iconic or symbolic place – outside parliament, on a monument, in front of a landmark, on a famous building, across a landmark bridge. You could wrap famous places in them or get famous people to hold them up.

Important: Make sure you check with local authorities to get permission and check safety requirements before putting it in a public place.

If there are lots of countries participating, there could also be an opportunity to select some of the best banners from every country and bring them together to make a giant international banner. More information about this will be available at www.bannersagainstpoverty.com

WHAT SHOULD THE BANNERS LOOK LIKE?

Banners that are being joined together should be made of a 3 x 1 metre piece of material. If you are just displaying your own banner separately you can make it as big and bold as you like.

While the banners are symbolic of the “white band”, we’d like them to be as creative and colourful as possible. Use a strong material such as calico or cotton, and fabric paints, permanent markers and textas.

Use slogans that are relevant to your national context. The global slogan for the day is “Stand Up and Speak Out” but you can use this or other slogans that reflect the demands of the Global Call to Action Against Poverty. Check with your national GCAP coordinator. More at www.whiteband.org 18

If you are considering making one to be part of a global banner, try to make it representative of your country and the needs and demands of the people you are representing. Make sure to include the name of the country somewhere on the banner.

STAND UP AND SPEAK OUT – WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT

One of the actions that you can participate in after making your banner is the Stand Up and Speak Out against poverty world record attempt.

Last year, over 23 million people around the world participated in the Stand Up and Speak Out against poverty action – literally and symbolically standing up against poverty, all around the world in the same 24 hour period and setting a new world record.

This year, we want at least 50 million people to participate! Once you have made your banner, display it at a Stand Up and Speak Out event. Find out more at www.standagainstpoverty.org

WHAT DIFFERENCE WILL SOME BANNERS MAKE?

The banners are just the symbol – you are the difference!

But make your actions count. Invite your local politician to come and look the banner display and talk to him or her about your demands. Take photos and send them to your head of state. Organise a group of representatives to visit members of parliament and hand over the banner. Use whatever actions are relevant in your political context.

Just by getting involved you are joining the worldwide movement of people who are demanding further action to end extreme poverty. You are speaking out against poverty.

If you are a teacher, you are involving your students and educating them about the root causes of poverty. On the whiteband.org site there are more materials for teachers to make this a valuable lesson.

If you display your banner in a public place, you are making a public statement to local and national leaders.

And most of all, remember that this is just one of many steps in the global fight to end extreme poverty. Join the campaign and encourage others to continue to get involved.

NEED TO KNOW MORE? www.bannersagainstpoverty.com www.whiteband.org www.standagainstpoverty.org

Or email [email protected]

One of the exciting mobilisation initiatives in 2007 is the Poverty Requiem. Currently, there are plans to perform this in a global chain in over 25 countries, including:

Africa: Cameroon, Congo, Ethiopia, Gambia, Senegal, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria Zambia Asia: The Philippines, Singapore Latin America: Argentina, Peru, Suriname Europe: The Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg, England, Portugal, Slovenia, Scotland Arab Region: Palestine Oceania: Australia North America: the USA.

The following information is taken from the Poverty Requiem toolkit for teachers Go to www.povertyrequiem.org for more information and to hear the music!

To find out more contact Ihreen: [email protected]

POVERTY REQUEIM: STAND UP and SPEAK OUT against Poverty and Inequality!

The Poverty Requiem uses music to tell the story of injustice and poverty – and the need to change it. The more people who stand up against the unequal distribution of power and means, the more people will be able to live in a just world. A world in which their rights are respected, they earn a decent living and can feed their families.

Join in Poverty is everyone’s concern. We hope the Poverty Requiem touches peoples’ hearts so more and more people will take part in this artistic expression of solidarity. The musical piece has been composed for four choirs, two solo singers and percussionists. The full version consists of five parts, but people can choose to only stage a reduced version of the Poverty Requiem or even limit a performance to just one song.

Want to know more? You can download the scores and lyrics and enjoy previous performances of the Poverty Requiem. Please visit www.povertyrequiem.org

GCAP AMBASSADORS

Throughout history remarkable individuals have stood up and spoken out against injustice. Yet, from Ghandi to Nelson Mandela, none of these individuals could have brought about change without the support of millions of ordinary people; and the voices of those millions risked being ignored without these high-profile, inspirational individuals.

Today, in our fight against poverty and inequality, GCAP will work with such leaders who can give a voice to the millions supporting this global call and to those living in poverty.

Through our partners, allies and national coalitions, GCAP is already working with some remarkable individuals – some well-known around the world, some unknown outside their local community.

By highlighting the stories and voices of people living in or working with people living in poverty, we can put significant pressure on political leaders and decision-makers both directly and through the world's media.

If you are working with individuals or groups who have themselves stood up and spoken out against injustice and/or who are respected and well-known in their field, please contact Ben Margolis bmargolis@oxfam.org.uk coordinator of the Ambassadors project, who will work with you to help make sure their voices are heard as widely as possible. It is important to note that individuals who are already Ambassadors for particular organisations will retain this position but will be asked to also speak out for and show affiliation to GCAP on and around October 17. Depending on the individual, Ambassadors may be asked to do some or all of the following: Attend events, speak to the media, write articles, record videos or lobby decision-makers.

GCAP is also working with several NGOs and other organisations to gain the support of key ambassadors for October 17th.

Please contact Ben directly at [email protected] or through your national coalition co-ordinator.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S TRIBUNAL ON POVERTY

On October 17th the GCAP Feminist Task Force will highlight the feminization of poverty at four major International Women’s Tribunals on Poverty (IWTP). With 70% of the world’s poor being women, the Tribunals will serve to inform and present testimony on the conditions of women worldwide. The Tribunals will serve to pressure governments and collect testimony to present to officials on the worsening conditions of women.

Global in scope with a localised activity, the Tribunals will be held in four regions: in North America at the UN in New York for International Day for Rural Women (October 15); in the Middle East in Cairo, Egypt (October 17); in Latin America to highlight International Day for Rural Women and International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (October 17) in Lima, Peru and in India, Asia on October 17. The Tribunals will raise the issues of extreme wealth, the liberal economic model, rural women, and other local issues, as well as to highlight the interconnectedness of poverty and racism, violence against women among other factors leading to women’s poverty.

GCAP national coalitions and members are invited to organize your own Women's Tribunal on Poverty and to incorporate them into your October 17 mobilization activities.

For more information on how to organize your own tribunal, or to contact the person in your region, contact the GCAP Feminist Task Force coordinator, Ana Agostino [email protected] .

SOME EXAMPLE SLOGANS ON GENDER EQUALITY:

GENDER EQUALITY TO END POVERTY

If gender equality is not there, eradication of poverty is NO WHERE! Feminization of poverty is a reality. Address it! Gender equality is crucial to addressing the inequalities of trade, debt and aid. Women’s human rights are key to end poverty. Gender justice for food sovereignty. Poverty will be history ONLY if gender justice is achieved 22

MEDIA Note there will be a separate media kit issued. This is an initial guide only.

Media Activity Timeline First week august Issue note to global and regional media for their news agendas/diaries outlining Oct 17th plans All August Consolidate media partnerships with agencies and individual journalists, identify news stories form mobilization plans 2nd half of September (date tbc) Hold simultaneous press launches around the world + one global launch. In conjunction with UNMC. Press release & video material to be available + ambassadors to endorse mobilisation. 1st-7th October Online and new media push 7th-14th October Print media push/ op eds and features 15/16/17th October All media coverage of different mobilisations/ one to one interviews/ focus on getting southern voices in northern media, radio, TV & photo airtime. Issue release announcing new data (possible result of a global poll?) + photo stunts to be confirmed. 18th October Announcement of Guinness figures with UNMC- location, ambassadors and timing tbc 19th – 21st October IFI Meetings in Washington- DC, general push on policy asks

*Below is some initial policy messaging. A more detailed document with all policy demands will be made available to all coalitions separately.

Overarching message Governments cannot ignore the call of the people to end poverty Civil society is outraged by global poverty and inequality - more and more are refuse to stay quiet in the face of inexcusable lack of action by leaders.

Top-line core demands (from GCAP’s Beirut & Montevideo declarations)

End Poverty and Inequality The end of poverty and inequality is not only about helping the poor but also about changing policies that create global imbalances (i.e. wealth in the North, lack of wealth in the global South) and changing the assumption that economic growth is sufficient to reduce poverty and inequalities;

MDGs Governments must commit themselves to achieving and surpassing the MDGs through national MDG-based plans.

Aid A major increase in the quantity and quality of aid and financing for development Donor countries should meet and exceed the 0.7% of GDP aid target by 2015 Aid should be untied.

Trade Justice not free trade Developing countries have the right to determine their own trade policies so they favour their own people. End subsidies that lead to dumping cheap produce on international markets. Fair Trade Agreements establish unfair trade relationships that are not suitable for sustainable development in already underdeveloped countries.

Debt Donor countries must cancel crippling debt immediately to the world’s poorest countries. - Debt cancellation and grants to refugees and foreign students in donor countries should not be counted as aid. Debt cancellation should not affect a country’s credit ratings adversely.

Transparency/ Accountability All governments and multilateral institutions should be fully accountable to their peoples and transparent in the use of public resources.

Gender Equality Women’s rights and gender equality need to be recognised more as a central issue in poverty eradication and in the formulation of local policies, laws and plans. Governments should ensure equality, social justice and stop all forms of violence against women while also upholding women’s rights including their political participation and access to resources.

Human rights We demand that upholding the human rights of all minorities be recognised as fundamental to the achievement of these goals. We will ensure equal participation of all excluded groups (ethnic minorities, women, people in extreme poverty etc.) as fundamental to the achievement of these goals.

Demands related to the International Financial Institutions Below are some concrete GCAP policy asks around the IFIs. These could be included by national coalitions in the form of letters to their Finance/ Development Ministers ahead of the Annual Meetings, in media communiqués, in petitions to be presented to heads of state or other senior political figures by national delegations, in campaigning material and in publicity toolkits produced for the day. National coalitions are encouraged to add their own more specific national asks.

Main issues 1. Transparency - the World Bank is going to be looking at its disclosure policy. 2. Conditionality - the World Bank will be publishing its annual progress report on implementation of the conditionality good practice principles 3. Governance and voice –World Bank’s agenda 4. Climate Change – World Bank’s agenda

The IMF’s agenda is not known.

1. End harmful economic policy conditionality:

GCAP is calling on: • The World Bank to end its economic policy of conditionality. • Funders to make WB’s IDA funding conditional on this policy reform. • The IMF to stop imposing privatisation and trade liberalisation through its structural conditions. • IFI’s to take a bottom-up approach that reflects and emphasizes the role of nations in creating and implementing development policy.

2. Democratic Reform of the World Bank and IMF

GCAP is calling for: • A participatory approach to guide the WB’s and IMF’s decisions and policy-making processes, including appointments. • Greater transparency in all actions, decisions, practices and appointments so that citizens can see who is taking what position and what their representatives said on their behalf.

3. Climate Change

GCAP is calling on the IFIs to: • Acknowledge the need to help poor countries adapt to the effects of climate change • Take steps to cut greenhouse gases and support a post-Kyoto framework • Acknowledge that climate change restricts poor countries’ ability to meet the targets set in the Millennium Development Goals. (further policy messaging on climate change will be developed in the coming months)

Demands not officially on the IFI agenda for October but also important 1) Agriculture 2) Decent Work Agenda

The World Bank and Agriculture GCAP is calling for o Policies that prioritise food security. 25

o An end to privatization and deregulation measures that harm poor farmers, agriculture labours and rural workers. o a re-evaluation of past agriculture policies and mistakes by IFIs (mainly the World Bank and WTO) to inform a restructure. o IFIs to promote small scale sustainable agriculture. o More policy space for poor countries to determine their own agricultural policies, including credit and marketing support o IFIs to listen to the voices of farmer communities and civil society and reflecting their needs and priorities when they engage with governments

IFIs should support the Decent Work agenda:

GCAP is calling on: • The World Bank to ensure that national and international development policies contribute to promoting universal access to essential services and goods. • The IFIs to stop promoting policies favouring the private sector at the expense of the rights, development and subsistence of the poor. The World Bank should remove labour regulation from the mandate of its private-sector development department.

------Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) & Fair Trade Agreements

EU/ ACP Agreements

GCAP is calling for: • An end to unfair bilateral trade deals. • African, Caribbean and Pacific governments to focus on how to improve regional integration and economies. • Not to impose trade liberalisation upon the ACP countries • Refrain from putting pressure on ACP countries to sign EPAs this year • Offer non-reciprocal alternatives and to ensure that exports to the EU from ACP countries will not be interrupted"

Background note to go on all media material:

The Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP) is an alliance of International NGOs, grassroots organizations, trade unions, community groups, women’s organizations, faith groups, youth groups, local associations and other campaigners working together across more than 100 national coalitions. GCAP is calling for action from the world’s leaders to meet their promises to end poverty and inequality.

The white band is our symbol and expression of solidarity against poverty.

[Sample media advisory for October 17 – can be adapted by national coalitions]

AGENDA ITEM STAND UP and SPEAK OUT: October 17th, 2007 A day of global mobilization against poverty and inequality

On October 16th and 17th 2007, millions of people all over the world will once again Stand Up and Speak Out against poverty and inequality and in support of the Millennium Development Goals. The Stand Up Speak Out initiative is planned to coincide with the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. On this day last year, 23.5 million people stood up against poverty in a 24 hour, period setting a massive new Guinness World Record.

This year, on October 16th and 17th, the Global Call to Action Against Poverty and the United Nations Millennium Campaign plan to mobilize people all over the world to break this record, urging millions more to join the growing global movement of people who refuse to stay seated in the face of poverty. They will demand that their governments and world leaders keep their promises to achieve the Millennium Goals to end extreme poverty by 2015. From workers to students, women’s groups to community groups, people will unite to call on political leaders to deliver more and better aid to the poorest nations, implement fairer trade conditions, cancel debt, ensure gender equality as well as greater transparency and accountability from their governments.

Events are being planned in over 100 countries and on every continent. These will range from major rallies and concerts to gatherings in school assemblies and town halls as well as delegations visiting politicians. For more information on Stand Up and Speak Out events and a video reel from last year visit www.standagainstpoverty.org

They will stand up and challenge the world record Thousands of events will take place around the world as part of the STAND UP and SPEAK OUT Guinness World Record challenge. From children in refugee camp schools to virtual stand ups through online social networking communities like Facebook, people will Stand Up, Speak Out and be counted. Participants will be asked to register their participation in the Guinness action in the 24-hour period from 9pm GMT on October 16th to 9pm GMT on October 17th. The data will be collated and the final number announced on October 18th.

They will speak out through song The Poverty Requiem is a brand new piece of music written by the Dutch composer Peter Maissan with lyrics from the director of Oxfam Novib, Sylvia Borren. Performances of the Requiem will take place in at least 23 countries and on 5 continents in a global chain of performances.

They will speak out to political leaders Delegations of people will demand action from political leaders by meeting them directly on and around October 17th. In an unprecedented global lobby, political leaders on every continent will be held to account by their public. International Women's Tribunals on Poverty will be held in the US, Egypt, Peru and India during the week.

They will stand up and speak out using giant banners Coalitions in more than 100 countries are organizing events, big and small, on and around October 17th. Some of these events will link to a Banners Against Poverty project in which people from several countries are making kilometer-long banners with messages for leaders and later linking these on key global mobilization dates.

They will speak out through the media Well-known and grassroots ‘ambassadors’ will be available to speak to the media on every continent to give a voice to the millions of people living in and/or campaigning against poverty and inequality. A full list of spokespeople will be available closer to the date.

For more information contact: Ciara O’Sullivan, GCAP Media Coordinator [email protected] Tel: +34 679 594 809 GCAP www.whiteband.org

Mandy Kibel, Deputy Director, Head of Communications, United Nations Millennium Campaign [email protected] Tel: +1 212 906 6242 www.endpoverty2015.com

Notes to Editors Every day, 50,000 people die as a result of extreme poverty and the gap between rich and poor is getting wider. We have the resources to change this and will no longer stay seated and silent in the face of poverty.

The Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP) is a global alliance of trade unions, community groups, women’s groups, faith groups and campaigners working together across more than 100 national platforms. GCAP is calling for action from the world’s leaders to meet their promises to end poverty and inequality. In particular, GCAP demands solutions that address the issues of; public accountability, just governance, fulfillment of human rights, trade justice, aid, debt cancellation and gender equality.

The UN Millennium Campaign was established by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in 2002. The Campaign supports citizens’ efforts to hold their governments to account for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. The Millennium Development Goals were adopted by 189 world leaders from the north and south, as part of the Millennium Declaration which was signed in 2000. These leaders agreed to achieve the Goals by 2015. Our premise is simple, we are the first generation that can end poverty and we refuse to miss this opportunity. Facts • 980 million people live on less than $1 a day with nearly half the world’s population (2.8 billion) living on less than $2 a day. • More than 800 million people go to bed hungry every day... 300 million are children. Of these 300 million children, only eight percent are victims of famine or other emergency situations. More than 90 percent are suffering long-term malnourishment and micronutrient deficiency. • Every year six million children die from malnutrition before their fifth birthday. • Each year, approximately 300 to 500 million people are infected with malaria. Approximately three million people die as a result. • Sub-Saharan Africa has only 4% of health workers but 25% of the global burden of disease. The Americas have 37% of health workers but only 10% of the global burden of disease. • More than 1 in 4 adults cannot read or write- two thirds of these are women. • Women work two-thirds of the world's working hours, produce half of the world's food, and yet earn only 10% of the world's income and own less than 1% of the world's property. • Four out of every ten people in the world don’t have access even to a simple latrine. Five million people, mostly children, die each year from water-borne diseases. More than 50 percent of Africans suffer from water-related diseases such as cholera and infant diarrhea. • 2.6 billion people lack access to decent sanitation. The Millennium Development Goal of halving the global sanitation deficit against the 1990 level requires bringing it to more than 120 million people every year between now and 2015. The cost with the cheapest latrines is $10 billion, and $34 billion for better technologies. (Sources Human Development Report 2003, 2005 & 2006, Millennium Indicators, Millennium Project, FAO, UNESCO - The 2007 Global Monitoring Report, Campaign for Education, UNAIDS, UNICEF – see www.milleniumcampaign.org and www.whiteband.org

OUTREACH

In 2005, the broad and open agenda of the campaign helped us to reach out to new constituencies and to unify civil society organisations with diverse objectives. This is important if our movement is to be fully representative of those living in poverty and fighting against inequality, and if GCAP is to be as big, powerful and diverse a campaign as possible.

This year we want to build on this and engage youth and children’s groups, and women’s and labour movements. Please ensure that as a national coalition you proactively endeavour to reach out to as many of these groups as possible. In addition, you can find a list below of possible kinds of organisations to include in your outreach efforts. Not every kind or organisation will be active in your area, but you can adapt this list to make it appropriate to your specific context.

Some international organisations are being approached in a joint letter from GCAP and the UNMC. A draft of this letter can be found on p14. You can use this as a model text for approaching organisations, emphasising the activities that will take place in your region. There is also a diary reminder on the following page.

Types of Civil Society Organisations, Networks, Associations for Outreach 1. faith-based organisations 2. trade unions 3. employees’ federations 4. advocacy NGOs (civic action, social justice, peace, human rights, consumers’ groups) 5. service NGOs (supporting community development, literacy, health, social services) 6. non-profit media 7. women’s associations 8. student and youth associations (girl guides) 9. associations of socio-economically marginalised groups (homeless, landless, immigrants, refugees) 10. professional and business organisations (chambers of commerce, professional associations e.g. lawyers, business federations) 11. environmental organisations 12. sports clubs/sporting associations/social and recreational CSOs 13. cultural and arts organisations 14. education organisations (CSOs active in training and research, think tanks, resources centres, non-profit schools, public education organisations) 15. CSO networks/supporting organisations/federations 16. community-level groups/associations (burial societies, self-help groups, parents’ associations, neighbourhood groups) 17. cooperatives 18. credit unions 19. mutual savings associations 20. ethnic/traditional/indigenous associations/organisations 21. grant-making foundations 22. fundraising bodies 23. political parties 24. social movements (landless people, peace movement)

DIARY REMINDER FOR NATIONAL COALTIONS TO SEND TO THEIR NETWORKS

[Adapt to suit]

OCTOBER 17 – INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ERADICATION OF POVERTY

Join with millions around the world to Stand Up and Speak Out against poverty and inequality on October 17 this year.

October 17 is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Join us as we call on governments to fulfil their promises: to achieve and exceed the Millennium Development Goals by 2015, to ensure public accountability, just governance and the fulfilment of human rights, to make trade justice a reality, to ensure a major increase in the quantity and quality of aid, to cancel debt and to commit to gender equality.

The Global Call to Action Against Poverty, with its many partners, is organising a number of actions on this day:

Stand Up and Speak Out against Poverty and Inequality Last year 23.5 million people in 87 countries joined the call to Stand Up Against Poverty and Inequality in the largest single coordinated mobilisation of people in the history of the Guinness World Records. This year on October 17th we will mobilize again, calling on millions of people from all over the world to Stand Up and Speak Out against poverty and inequality. Between 9pm GMT Tuesday October 16 and 9pm GMT Wednesday October 17, we ask you to literally “Stand Up and Speak Out” against poverty and inequality. Join an existing event or start your own – but be a part of the growing movement of people who say no to extreme poverty.

The Stand Up and Speak Out against Poverty action is a joint initiative from the Global Call to Action against Poverty and the United Nations Millennium Campaign. For more information go to www.standagainstpoverty.org

Banners Against Poverty The Banners Against Poverty Project invites people from all over the world to make banners that creatively express people’s demands for the world to take action to end extreme poverty. The banners are an expression of the “white band”, the global symbol for call to action against poverty. School students, faith groups, community groups, trade unions and all members of civil society will be making banners with slogans, signatures, political messages, handprints and drawings. For more information go to www.bannersagainstpoverty.com

Visits to Political Decision Makers A project for delegations in dozens of countries to visit their head of state or other key decision-maker on October 17th. This will be used to create political pressure and awareness at national and global level. Contact Katie Allen, [email protected]

Poverty Requiem The Poverty Requiem uses music to tell the story of injustice and poverty – and the need to change it. Already, over 25 countries have committed to performing this global chain. For more information go to www.povertyrequiem.org

International Women’s Tribunal on Poverty Four major international Women’s Tribunals on Poverty will be held in New York, Egypt, Peru and India to highlight the feminisation of poverty. For more information go to www.whiteband.org or contact Ana Agostino [email protected]

Timetable of resources for October 17 2007

Note: Dates are anticipated dates only

Resource Expected Date Logo (English) 7 August Logo (Translations 5 languages) 14 August Logo (Translations other languages) TBC contact support team

Toolkit (English) 10 August Toolkit (Translations 5 languages) 17 August

Stand Up Brochure + Flyer (English) 10 August Stand Up Brochure + Flyer (Translations) 17 August

National Coalition Survey (English) 10 August National Coalition Survey (Translations) 17 August

Stand Up Guinness counting note, fax back 17 August form and checklist Stand Up Guinness counting note, fax back 17 August from and checklist (translations)

Stand Up website – registrations open 17 August * Other downloadable materials will be made available on the website over Aug/Sept. Includes materials easy to adapt and distribute

GCAP October 17 flyer (English) 17 August GCAP October 17 flyer (translations) 24 August

Audio Visual Material 10 September *

What is GCAP brochure (English) 24 August What is GCAP brochure (translations) 31 August