September 2005

Make Poverty History Campaign

Make Poverty History is an international campaign working towards ending extreme poverty through encouraging Governments to honour their commitment to the Millennium Development Goals. These goals were set at the Millennium Summit, attended by World Leaders in September 2000. Make Poverty History brings together Church groups, community organisations and others to work towards the common goal of ending extreme poverty. The organisation is a secular one, and is working in alliance with The Micah Challenge, a campaign run by Australian Christian groups including Caritas. 

So much is happening and so many resources are available to you, can you find an excuse not to play a part in this campaign? Here are some of the ways you can help:

• Participate in the White Band days planned by Make Poverty History on December 10, organise one at your school, or purchase a white band to wear everyday to raise awareness of the campaign. See the website www.makepovertyhistory.com.au 

• Write to John Howard and to other politicians to pressure them to keep their commitment to international agreements they have signed. Addresses and details are listed on the campaign website and also at www.aph.gov.au/whoswho/index.htm

• Use the resources available for your classes, a useful PowerPoint presentation about the Millennium Development Goals as well as other ideas for the classroom can be found at the Make Poverty History web site.

• Participate in Anti-Poverty week October 16-22, an Australian initiative started several years ago. Visit their website for information on how to get involved, what others are doing, and resources for schools. Find out now what your school’s intentions are for this important week.

• Let VIEU know what your school is doing for Anti-Poverty week so we can promote the campaign and encourage others to join.

• Educate yourself about the issue, browse these websites

www.makepovertyhistory.com.au

www.antipovertyweek.org.au

www.youthink.worldbank.org/

www.un.org/milleniumgoals/

www.caritas.org.au

www.ccjdp.org

The Make Poverty History campaign is calling on the Australian government to help halve global poverty by 2015, what are you doing?