The waning years of the 20th century were a time of great global fragmentation and division. Since then, people all over the world have steadily come to feel less secure and less safe. However, there was a prevailing belief among civil society organisations (CSOs) and people in general, that the world could unite again in solidarity in a battle truly worth fighting – the war against poverty. Indeed to date, the pledges required to meet the Millennium Declaration efforts to tackle poverty, inequality, injustice and deliver sustainable development have been grossly inadequate. Governments too often fail to address the needs of the people within their territory, the quantity and quality of aid from rich countries is inadequate and promises of debt cancellation have not yet materialized. Rich countries have yet to act on their repeated pledges to tackle unfair trade rules and practices. But our world has never been richer, and we have the means to turn this situation around. Galvanised by this imperative, a group of civil society actors including NGOs, international networks, social movements, trade unions, women’s organisations, faith based groups and other civil society actors met in Johannesburg in September 2004. They launched the Global Call to Action against Poverty which initially targeted 2005 as the year when governments could take decisive action to deliver on their promises of the Millennium and make poverty history.
GCAP is now a growing alliance of trade unions, community groups, faith groups, women and youth organisations, NGOs and other campaigners working together across more than 100 national platforms. GCAP demands solutions that address the issues of 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; and debt cancellation. GCAP also affirms that gender equality must also be at the heart of eradicating poverty.
During 2005 GCAP members and supporters took more than 38 million actions around the world to put pressure on politicians and world leaders, who where attending crucial meetings that could, if the right decisions where made, commit to overcoming poverty.
In 2006, GCAP members and supporters took part in a global month of action in September and October. On the 16th and 17th October 23.5 million people around the world Stood Up Against Poverty and in doing so set a new Guinness World Record and sent out a powerful message to national and global political leaders.
GCAP supporters are united by their use of the white band. The white band is the symbol that people, towns and cities all over the world can adopt to show their support and keep the anti-poverty message highly visible. The white band is a single powerful symbol to demonstrate the truly worldwide nature of the Global Call to Action against Poverty. Anyone who believes in ending poverty should wear the white band, and we want as many people as possible to feel part of this movement.
Everyone is more than welcome to come and help or cooperate with events or humanitarian actions with the aim to reduce poverty.
For more information, please contact Robin Dewa, organizer GCAP actions in Slovenia.
00386 51 606 847 , E-mail: ro.dewa@yahoo.com
Or visit the web site: www.whiteband.org
GCAP is now a growing alliance of trade unions, community groups, faith groups, women and youth organisations, NGOs and other campaigners working together across more than 100 national platforms. GCAP demands solutions that address the issues of 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; and debt cancellation. GCAP also affirms that gender equality must also be at the heart of eradicating poverty.
During 2005 GCAP members and supporters took more than 38 million actions around the world to put pressure on politicians and world leaders, who where attending crucial meetings that could, if the right decisions where made, commit to overcoming poverty.
In 2006, GCAP members and supporters took part in a global month of action in September and October. On the 16th and 17th October 23.5 million people around the world Stood Up Against Poverty and in doing so set a new Guinness World Record and sent out a powerful message to national and global political leaders.
GCAP supporters are united by their use of the white band. The white band is the symbol that people, towns and cities all over the world can adopt to show their support and keep the anti-poverty message highly visible. The white band is a single powerful symbol to demonstrate the truly worldwide nature of the Global Call to Action against Poverty. Anyone who believes in ending poverty should wear the white band, and we want as many people as possible to feel part of this movement.
Everyone is more than welcome to come and help or cooperate with events or humanitarian actions with the aim to reduce poverty.
For more information, please contact Robin Dewa, organizer GCAP actions in Slovenia.
00386 51 606 847 , E-mail: ro.dewa@yahoo.com
Or visit the web site: www.whiteband.org
