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THE GCAP E-LETTER 2007 - October 1st 2007 - Edition #11

GCAP Together for Equality English

 

 

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THE GCAP E-LETTER 2007

 

 October 1st 2007 - Edition #11

 

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The Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP) is 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 is calling for action from the world’s leaders to meet their promises to end poverty and inequality. The white band is our symbol and expression of solidarity against poverty.

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Dear campaigners,

 

Just 2 weeks to go until October 17!

 

We are sure you are all extremely busy in the final stages of organizing your events. We now have information from over 50 countries about the plans but we are still waiting on more, so please do send them to sarah.gregory@civicus.org as soon as you can. If you are participating in the Stand Up and Speak Out action, you also need to register your events on-line at www.standagainstpoverty.org

 

Political demands and actions

We need to know more about your specific policy demands and campaign actions. We can already see a range of demands based on the Montevideo Declaration – however to make this action strong politically, we need to understand each country’s specific demand to the media. If you have not communicated these already, please let us know by emailing sarah.gregory@civicus.org – and if you are undertaking a petition or e-action, let us know so we can publicise it on the website.

 

Requiem, Political Delegations, Banners and other actions

Many people around the world are focusing their efforts on October 16th and 17th on activities that will not count towards the Guinness World Record challenge.  You will receive communications directly about what is required of you for these events via the different point people ( Joe: Banners, Ben: Delegations, Irheen: Requiem etc.).  In all events it is important to send copies of your press release and any materials or images to www.whiteband.org

 

Stand Up and Speak Out Guinness record Action

Materials:

Materials for the Stand Up and Speak Out mobilization are available to download at wwww.standagainstpoverty.org (or e-mail the support team). They include:

  • Brochures
  • Posters
  • Postcards
  • A4 flyers
  • Resources for youth and teachers
  • How To Stand Up - Animation
  • Stand Up and Speak Out Video clip – available for downloading in different versions at www.whiteband.org/resources/audio-video/

If you are organizing a different action you can access different mobilisation materials via your regional focal points.

 

Counting Process for Stand Up and Speak Out Guinness Record Challenge:

 

For countries with broad internet access:

Before the event: All events to be counted in the Guinness record challenge must be pre-registered on www.standagainstpoverty.org. Make sure all groups you work with know that their events must be registered! All events should have an event “organizer” who will log on with a user name and pass code. Don’t forget this as you will need it to record the numbers!

 

During the event: Count the numbers of people who stood up and where possible get photographic evidence. Remember: all events must take place between 9pm GMT October 16 and 9pm GMT October 17 to count towards the record.

After the event: Record the numbers on www.standagainstpoverty.org and upload your photo if you have it. Remember: You must record the numbers before 6am GMT on October 18 or they won’t be counted!

 

For those countries without broad internet access:

In places where people will not be using the internet to record their events, there should be one central national point of contact collecting the information and recording it.

This national contact point should have all the information of events and event organisers on the excel spreadsheet that has been sent around and be using this to follow up individually to make sure events are recorded. This national point of contact should enter all the information onto the www.standagainstpoverty.org website, or forward it to the regional counting point in their region. Wherever possible, photos should also be sent to this contact point or uploaded onto the website.

 

NOTE: We will be sending around next week an explantory note on how and where to send photos and footage.

 

There are already hundreds of events listed on the stand up website so make sure yours are there!

 

10 tips for planning stand up and speak out actions:

  1. put the stand up and speak out logo on your website with a link to www.standagainstpoverty.org so that everyone visiting your site can organize an event
  2. contact schools, trade unions, NGOs and faith groups to make sure they are organized for the stand up
  3. send an email and the brochure to your supporter networks reminding them its 2 weeks to go
  4. download the on-line resources - put posters up around your city in public areas, schools and universities, drop the postcards in cafes and shops – organize teams of volunteers so you cover all areas
  5. get in touch with the media in your country and let them know about your key events – you can download a media advisory from the website
  6. organize a stunt to take place in front of a government building or place of interest
  7. make sure you have a photographer ready to capture the moment and where possible get it on video too – we will be producing a clip of all the stand up events taking place around the world
  8. prepare your ambassadors to speak out on the issues and the key policy asks in your country
  9. invite local politicians to your events so that they can be made aware of the public pressure
  10.  Make your stand up count! Don’t forget to have a plan about how you will convey the impact afterwards – to media, politicians and all your supporters

 

We will send around a full update on all the mobilization projects next week.

 

Good luck with your final stages of planning and contact the support team if you have any questions at all!

 

The IFT support team.