On 10 September, the Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP) is organising White Band Day 2 – the second in a series of massive international mobilisations. GCAP will send a clear message to governments across the world that politicians must keep their promises to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

Source: GCAP

 

Five years on from the Millennium Summit world leaders are meeting, from 14 –16 September, to discuss progress on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) at the United Nations World Summit (MDG +5 Summit). Thus far, efforts to reach the MDGs have fallen woefully short of what is needed to achieve them. Which is why, just ahead of this Summit on 10 September, the Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP) is organizing White Band Day 2 – the second in a series of massive international mobilizations from GCAP. GCAP will send a clear message to governments across the world that politicians must keep their promises to achieve the MDGs. Together, we will show the breadth and depth of support for action now to end poverty.

 

The GCAP International Facilitation Group met last month in Bangkok and put together a range of messages and actions focusing on the UN Summit. This mobilization guide gives an overview of the agreed actions and messages from this meeting. Of course, national coalitions will undertake their own events and actions, with their own messaging, but if we unite and speak with one voice, we can make a powerful impact and force our leaders to take action before it is too late.

 

GCAP messages for the UN MDG Summit +5

 

At an international level we will demand that rich countries and international institutions change trade rules, 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.

 

The suggested globally coordinated actions for national coalitions from the Bangkok meeting are also only intended to act as a broad guide for groups to incorporate into pre-existing plans for White Band Day 2 and to adapt to suit their local and national context – but please remember that when we unite in joint initiatives we are much more powerful.