MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY
We are only too aware of how hectic it can get during the last few weeks of the year, especially with Christmas just around the corner! So to make it easier on you, we have put together two short pieces about the campaign that you can simply insert into your next newsletter, update, bulletin etc. Basically we want to provide you with a simple way to keep your organization, affiliates, and supporters informed about campaign progress.
We hope you will find this useful! We welcome your feedback, as this is a new initiative, and if it proves to be popular we will endeavor to send them out to you more frequently.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Liz Phillips
Coalition Administrator
Take Action Insert:
MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY |
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There are six simple actions that you can take right now in support of the MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY campaign. All you have to do is log on to www.makepovertyhistory.org.nz. Here you can:
1. Get yourself a white band and wear it.
2. E-mail Helen Clark to demand urgent action on poverty.
3. Check out the Action Kit for simple action ideas.
4. Download some materials and order some action cards.
5. Sign up to receive fortnightly Action E-mails.
6. Get involved! Find out what is happening around the country on December 10th, the third International White Band Day.
There are six simple actions that you can take right now in support of the MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY campaign. All you have to do is log on to www.makepovertyhistory.org.nz. Here you can:
1. Get yourself a white band and wear it.
2. E-mail Helen Clark to demand urgent action on poverty.
3. Check out the Action Kit for simple action ideas.
4. Download some materials and order some action cards.
5. Sign up to receive fortnightly Action E-mails.
6. Get involved! Find out what is happening around the country on December 10th, the third International White Band Day. |
Campaign Update Insert:
MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY |
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(Please insert the name of your organisation here) is now one of 50 organisations in Aotearoa New Zealand that have chosen to join the MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY coalition. After months of strong campaigning, the level of awareness about MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY and its four demands: trade justice, drop the debt, more and better aid, and end child poverty in Aotearoa New Zealand, has increased dramatically. Campaign efforts are now focused heavily on encouraging people to take action in the lead up to, and on, the third International White Band Day on December 10th.
Recent campaign achievements of note include:
1 A New Zealand celebrity photo-shoot.
2 A feature article in Woman’s Day (November 7th 2005)
3 A new look website designed to encourage people to take action.
4 Exciting plans in place for December 10th, the third International White Band Day.
Check out the website www.makepovertyhistory.org.nz for more details. |
Press Release, 28 November 2006
Beautiful Days for Make Poverty History
With a little help from their most well-known campaigner, Make Poverty History Aotearoa collected over 11,000 signatures and a further 20,000 text petitions at this weekend’s U2 concerts.
The group of 32 volunteers came close to meeting the challenge set out by Bono when he met campaigners before the gig on Friday night.
"He told us that we needed to get 15,000 signatures to top Sydney, where the most signatures had been collected on this leg of their tour," says campaign coordinator Chloe Powell. "I think we beat them though – they had three concerts – we almost got there in two."
Ardent activists against poverty, U2 invited Make Poverty History to have a presence at the Auckland concerts. While campaigners rallied amongst fans before the band begun, Bono did his bit from onstage calling on the crowd to text their support, resulting in over 10,000 texts on each night.
"There’s no mistaking that there are a large group of New Zealanders who are passionate about ensuring that we bring an end to extreme poverty," says Make Poverty History co-chair Sharon Clair. "The signatures gathered over the weekend are a great addition to those we already have, and will make a powerful statement to our government when we hand them over at the beginning of next year."/ENDS
Notes to Editors
- MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY is a coalition of over 60 organisations from across New Zealand, joined together by the belief that we can eradicate extreme poverty.
- MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY Aotearoa New Zealand is calling for:
- Drop the Debt
- More and Better Aid
- Trade Justice
- End Child Poverty in New Zealand
- Last year thousands of New Zealanders joined with millions around the world to take part in the Global Call to Action against Poverty, the largest movement against poverty that the world has ever seen. Our voices were heard, and key governments and organisations have started to place poverty at the top of their political agendas. We have seen that when voices unite and make themselves heard, people will stand up and listen.
- In 2006, this struggle continues. While small steps have been made, poverty still exists. Developing countries are still making crippling debt repayments. Rich countries are still promoting unfair trade and not meeting their promises on aid.
- Every day 30,000 children die as a result of extreme poverty.
- That’s one child every 3 seconds.
- We now have the resources and knowledge to end this shocking situation.
- Our government can make political decisions that will help deliver justice to the world's poorest people. They will only do so if we continue to keep up the pressure, and our commitment to that must extend through until we have won our fight.
- As Bono stated: "What will our generation be remembered for? The internet, yes, the war against terror, yes . . . wouldn’t it be great if we were also remembered for being the ones who set about Making Poverty History!"
"If everyone who wants to see an end to poverty, hunger and suffering speaks out, then the noise will be deafening. Politicians will have to listen." Desmond Tutu
Chloe Powell
+64 21 525 464
Campaign Coordinator
MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY
The Aotearoa-New Zealand Mobilisation of the Global Call to Action Against Poverty
www.makepovertyhistory.org.nz
