News
Global Call to Action Against Poverty
20 October 2008
The United Nations Millennium Campaign and Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP) today announced that a Guinness World Record breaking 116.9 million people - nearly two percent of world population - took a stand against poverty at events in 131 countries on 17-19 October.
Over 50, 000 people in the UK took part in more than 300 solidarity events, organised by grassroots groups, churches, schools, universities and development NGOs.
Glen Tarman, spokesperson for the Global Call to Action Against Poverty said:
"The massive numbers involved in Stand Up and Take Action show that millions of citizens worldwide believe that the economic crisis is no excuse for politicians in power to abandon the poor.
Now more than ever, leaders must be accountable and act urgently to deliver trade justice, better aid, debt cancellation and climate legislation."
Salil Shetty, Director of the UN Millennium Campaign said:
"History has shown us that mass mobilisations have the power to change the course of history, and we will not s top mobilising and advocating for action until the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are achieved."
Craig Glenday, Editor in Chief of Guinness World Records said:
"The largest Stand Up is truly an historic event and as keepers and adjudicators of world records we are delighted to ratify such an important record and make this official."
Responding to the mobilisation, Gordon Brown, UK Prime Minister said:
"Stand Up and Take Action is absolutely right that we must act now. We know that the global collective effort on the MDGs is yielding results, even in some of the world's most challenging regions. But we also know that there is still a vast amount of effort needed if we are to get back on track to meeting the M DGs, particularly in the face of new challenges such as the global economic slowdown, food security and climate change. It is imperative that we do more and that we do it better.
