So you stood up – now what?

The purpose of the Stand Up action is to show that millions of people around the world are refusing to stay seated or silent in the face of extreme poverty and inequality. We have the resources to change this, all we need is the will – and that starts with you. One person can take action, but when millions take action together, change CAN happen.

It’s not about just breaking a record – its about creating the largest movement of people the world has ever seen and demanding that political leaders honour their promises and act to end poverty and inequality. It’s also about creating awareness not only of what is happening in our world but about what you can do to change it.

We are not asking you to just stand up on one day – we are asking you to stand up EVERY day. Be part of the growing movement of people who are taking action in their every day lives to end extreme poverty.

How to make your Stand Up count

Here are 10 things that you can do after you “Stand Up” to make sure that your actions count to the ongoing fight against poverty and inequality and to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.

• Join the Global Call to Action against Poverty. You can sign up at whiteband.org to the global newsletter which tells you what is going on around the world and how you can be a part of it.

• Join the national campaign in your country. Go to whiteband.org and select the country you are in – we have campaigns in over 122 countries. If your country is not there, get in touch with us about starting one where you live.

• Write a letter to your head of state, your President or Prime Minister, asking them to keep their promises on ending poverty and inequality. You can download a sample letter from whiteband.org

• Educate yourself! Read about the issues and what people are doing to make change happen. There are background documents available on whiteband.org as well as toolkits and suggestions of how to get involved.

• Organise a local volunteer group in your community, school, university, church, workplace or with friends.

• Get in touch with our members – we are a global alliance of NGOs, trade unions, women’s groups, youth groups and religious organistations. Find the one that interests you on our site and see how you can do more in the area that is most important to you

• Speak out at events – we are always looking for volunteer speakers to tell others how they can get involved in the campaign

• Promote the campaign through on-line activities

• Make changes in your life…give a little more and consume a little less

• Wear the white band – the global symbol of the fight against poverty