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THE GCAP E-LETTER 2008

22nd April 2008 - Edition #22

Headlines

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GCAP Canada delivered a message to the UN General Assembly

E-Campaigning Forum in Oxford

Tanabata Action

Release of Daniel and Netsanet

Requests to host GCAP global secretariat

Registration of GCAP global foundation & Constitution

September 25th & other 2008 mobilisation plans

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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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Editorial

Dear Friends,

Since the last week’s e-letter there have been a number of interesting things going on in GCAP. From New York to Oxford, GCAP members have been raising the profile of our 2008 demands and planning some exciting activities for the months ahead.

GCAP Canada delivered a message to the UN General Assembly
From Make Poverty History Coordinator, Dennis Howlett in New York on April 1st. The occasion was a high level Thematic Debate on the Millennium Development Goals and the audience comprised government delegations from most of the 192 member countries, plus invited guests and NGO observers. GCAP was the first NGO speaker recognized by the chair in the opening plenary session. The statement addressed some of the reasons progress has not been faster towards achieving the MDGs and it called for increased efforts to not only meet but exceed these goals. Read the full text of the speech

E-Campaigning Forum in Oxford
The annual Fairsay E-Campaigning Forum took place in Oxford last week, gathering some 100 leading campaigners to discuss the cutting edge trends, share experiences, stimulate better communications with supporters and drive better outcomes. GCAP took the opportunity to send some delegates to join this forum; Lani from GCAP SENCA, Michael from ONE Singapore, Eric from Make Poverty History Canada, Analia from Sociedade Civil in Uruguay and Sreenkath from Mahiti in Bangalore (whiteband's new service providers). Some great discussions and tools were shared at this meeting, including lists of do’s and don’t for our campaigning efforts. If you have a moment I recommend you check out the Forum’s Wiki (editable web pages).

Among the new online initiatives that all coalitions will hopefully apply in the upcoming months, is the TANABATA Action, designed with support from the G8 Working Group. This cool online widget can be put on your own site and invite their supporters and members to send a message to the G8 ahead of July’s Japanese Summit. We will be sending this out to everyone next week hopefully.

GCAP also celebrated the release of Daniel and Netsanet. A communication signed by co-chairs was sent congratulating them on their release and their untiring struggle against the tyranny. GCAP also highlighted the issue through media work with TV and agencies.

Following IFT and Transition Committee endorsement a call for expressions of interest to host GCAP global secretariat for a minimum 3 year term has been sent to all the GCAP Coalitions in the South. The same document is also available in five languages.

IFT also endorsed the recommendation from transition committee to register the new GCAP global foundation in the Netherlands. However to get final opinion from the coalitions and members, a question along with frequently asked question document has been sent to all the coalitions. Feedback is awaited as soon as possible after which a summary will be presented to the IFT for final decision. In the meantime, the support team is also preparing a constitution for the global foundation, which after technical check and endorsement by IFT, will be presented for the registration.

Finally, the momentum is also building for a coordinated global lobby ahead of next September’s High Level Meeting of Heads of State in New York, aimed at driving new energy into achieving the Millennium Development Goals. GCAP coalitions will be asked to get involved in planning ways to lobby and mobilise in the coming months so that their concerns on the national efforts to achieve the Goals are heard loud and clear by all present. More information will be posted on whiteband.org as it comes through.

Regards,

Irfan Mufti, GCAP Campaign Manager & the IFT Support Team

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