Document Actions
Press Releases
Up one levelArab Region civil society organisations call upon the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund
Anti-poverty campaigners and their digital alter egos sing poverty goodbye and call for immediate reform of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund
Hundreds of civil society activists were joined today by their digital alter egos or ‘Avatars’ for a unique, ground-breaking action combining music, dance and virtuality. They were calling on the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to hear the voices of the poor worldwide and instigate immediate reforms.
Arab Region civil society organisations call upon the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund
The GCAP coalitions in the Arab region join the 100 GCAP Coalitions around the world to demand from the IFIs the following: 1. End harmful economic policy conditionality 2. Undertake Democratic Reform the World Bank and IMF 3. Develop a Progressive Agenda on Climate Change 3. Reform the World Bank Agricultural agenda 4. Support National Development Agendas
GCAP calls on the IFIs to work for the poor, not against!
As the Annual Meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) near, the Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP) is preparing a weekend of high profile actions in Washington DC from October 20th to 22nd.
Millions stand up to demand an end to the cycle of debts and deaths in Asia
As millions of people around the globe have mobilized to mark the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, anti-poverty campaigners in Asia have stood up to demand an end to the cycle of indebtedness and maternal deaths in many parts of the region. The Global Call to Action against Poverty - Asia (GCAP-Asia) has slammed aid conditionalities as causing many Asian countries to sink deeper into debts, thereby worsening poverty in the region, and has called for the lowering of maternal mortality ratio in Asia, saying the deaths of mothers from preventable childbirth and pregnancy complications is senseless and unconscionable.
Más de 43 millones de personas rompen el Récord Mundial Guinness en el Levántate y Movilízate del Día Internacional para la Erradicación de la Pobreza
Más de 43,7 millones de personas en 127 países han roto el récord mundial Guinness, que el año pasado se estableció en 23,5 millones, de la mayor cantidad de personas que se Levantaron contra la Pobreza en un período de 24 horas.
Week of Global Action against Debt and IFIs
WHAT: Week of Global Action against Debt and IFIs WHEN: October 14-21, 2007
Singaporeans Stand Up and Speak Out against Global Poverty on October 17
Singaporeans are preparing to join an estimated 30 – 50 million people around the world on October 17th 2007 to mark International Day for the Eradication of Poverty by calling on world leaders to honour their promise to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.
More than 20 million Asians set to ' Stand Up and Speak Out against Poverty'
More than 20 million Asians are expected to join the actions and mobilizations around the globe tomorrow that will mark the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
Scotland stands up & sings out against poverty
Members of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra's chorus and junior chorus will perform Peter Maissan Poverty Requiem on Wednesday 17 October at St Mary's Cathedral, Great Western Road, Glasgow.
UN HQs Observance of International Day Against Poverty
The recognition of people living in poverty as agents of change will be the focus of the 20th International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, to be observed on 17 October at the United Nations HQs and around the world.
13/10/07 - World longest banner against poverty will unfurl in Bahawalpur (Pakistan) on 17/10/07
We are pleased to inform the media that October 17th, the International Day of the Eradication of Poverty the people all over the Pakistan are organising themselves and will raise their voices against the anti-poor policies and actions of the government, international institutions and other national and global exploitative structures.
12/10/07 - ActionAid dismay at delayed verdict in Ethiopian trial
Actionaid's chief executive Ramesh Singh commented today on the news that the anti-poverty campaigners Daniel Bekele and Netsanet Demissie would remain in prison for a further six weeks awaiting the verdict in their trial.
15/10/07 - London joins Global Call to Stand Up and Speak Out against Poverty
DATE: October 17th, midday WHERE: The Greater London Authority building, City Hall, The Queens Walk
12/10/07 - After 6-months War on Hunger, Hunger Rose to Record High Status
"The government's PhP 1 billion worth six-month hunger response which ended last September proved worthless," said Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP)-Philippines, a local network of non-government and people's organizations that is part of the biggest anti-poverty alliance in the world, "hunger has risen to its record high status since (mid-)1998 with 21.5% of families living with hunger."
12/10/07 - Ireland: Millions Speak Out Against Poverty
On Wednesday next, the world's biggest ever mobilisation against poverty and inequality is geared to take place in almost 90 countries. Around the world, people will take part in events to mark 17 October, the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty and show their support of the Millennium Development Goals.
11/10/07 - Palestine stand up and speaks out against poverty and inequality
On October 17, over a million of Palestinian men, women and children throughout the West Bank and Gaza will stand up and speakout against poverty and inequality by taking part in demonstrations, candle light vigils, artistic performances and school activities as part of the Global Call to Action Against Poverty and the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
Millions to Stand Up and Speak out against poverty and inequality on 16, 17 October 2007
The South African Global Call to Action Campaign, led by the South African NGO Coalition (SANGOCO), and working with faith based and other organisations, will once again be hosting activities to coincide with the anti-poverty Month of Action. These events take place during the month of October and culminate on October 17 – the UN recognised international day for the eradication of poverty.
09/10/07 - Verdict delayed: Ethiopian activists now detained for over two years
Anti-poverty activists Daniel Bekele and Netsanet Demissie today heard that they must wait in prison for at least another six weeks, as judges in Ethiopia 's Federal High Court again delayed the verdict until 22 November 2007 , bringing their total detention to over two years. Both activists are recognised by Amnesty International as prisoners of conscience.
TWO WEEKS TO GO
With just two weeks to go before International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, the biggest ever mobilization against poverty and inequality and in support of the Millennium Development Goals, is geared to take place in almost 90 countries (highlights below). Stand Up and Speak Out is a day when the Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP) alliance and UN Millennium Campaign call on millions to show courage and demand a more urgent political response to the growing crisis of global poverty.
Poverty Requiem opens Education International World Congress
On July 22nd during the opening ceremony of The Education International World Congress in Berlin, there was an international rendition of the Poverty Requiem. Horst Köhler, President of the Germany Federal Republic, highlighted global poverty in his opening speech and said that industrialised nations in the world should do more in the fight against it. The ceremony was attended by 1700 teachers and educational workers from countries worldwide.
Afghan Youth Against Poverty
Poverty is one of the root causes of human calamity, if not eradicated, it will eradicate us!
Foreign aid in Asia not going to where it is needed most
Official Development Assistance (ODA) or foreign aid, identified as critical to achieving poverty reduction in Asia, is not going to where it is needed most because reducing poverty is not the priority of major donors. If it was, then aid would be in the form of grants instead of loans, which form the bulk of multilateral aid and hurt recipient countries more than it help them. This was asserted in the Quezon City Declaration on ODA, the outcome of the recently concluded “Building an Asian Peoples’ Agenda on Aid: A Conference on Official Development Assistance” held in Manila, Philippines.
Women From Across Marginalized Communities Meet the President Pratibha Patil on the Occasion of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
"Women's concerns should be focal in all major policies & programs", said women from across marginalized communities while briefing the President of India, Pratibha Patil on the occasion of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. They were representing the experiences of more than 400 women from across 20 states of India who had come together to mark this occasion by sharing their personal experiences of poverty and deprivation, and resolving to join hand to ensure that the women's agenda is central to the policies and the programs of the government.
GCAP Background Briefing Note
The Global Call to Action against Poverty is the world's largest anti-poverty alliance, whose organizations together represent more than 150 million people globally.
2 Ethiopian civil society leaders remain imprisoned, despite pardons for 38 politicians and journalists
While welcoming the pardoning of 38 opposition politicians and journalists in Ethiopia last week, CIVICUS and the Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP ) remind the Ethiopian government that many others, including GCAP coordinators Daniel Bekele and Netsanet Demissie, remain in prison anxiously awaiting their verdict.
AGENDA ITEM - STAND UP and SPEAK OUT: October 17th, 2007
On October 16th and 17th 2007, millions of people all over the world will once again Stand Up and Speak Out against poverty and inequality and in support of the Millennium Development Goals. The Stand Up Speak Out initiative is planned to coincide with the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. On this day last year, 23.5 million people stood up against poverty in a 24 hour, period setting a massive new Guinness World Record.
OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT MAHMOUD ABBAS AND PRIME MINISTER SALAAM FAYYAD ON POVERTY IN PALESTINE
Today as hundreds of thousands of Palestinians across the West Bank and Gaza took a stand and spoke out to mark the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, the National Coalition for the Global Call to Action Against Poverty – Palestine (GCAP-P) issued an open letter to the President of the Palestinian National Authority, Mr. Mahmoud Abbas and the appointed Prime Minister, Mr. Salaam Fayyad, as well as the Ministers for Labour, Planning, Social Affairs, Agriculture and Sports and Youth.
GUINNESS WORLD RECORD OFFICIAL PRESENTATION
“Biggest recorded mobilisation on any one issue in history is powerful call to end poverty” http://www.standagainstpoverty.org/press/photos/guinness
Anti-poverty group pickets NAPC, condemns girl’s death
More than 200 rallyists joined an indignation rally led by the Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP) – Philippines in front of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) office in Quezon City Friday over the death of 12-year old Mariannet Amper and to condemn the government’s failure to address poverty.
GCAP condemns Philippines bombing and mourns death of local anti-poverty campaigner
News that the fourth fatality of Tuesday night’s (Nov 13) bomb attack on the Philippines House Representatives was local GCAP Philippines activist Julasiri "Niki" Hayudini, has been met with shock and condemnation worldwide.
Ethiopian activists refused bail as trial delayed again until November 30th
Anti-poverty activists Daniel Bekele and Netsanet Demissie were told this morning that their case will not be heard until the end of the month as one of the three Judges in Ethiopia’s High Court was unable to attend trial today due to ill health. The trial has been postponed until November 30th.
Where are the Poor in the Philippines? Some Sectors Invisible in Official Poverty Map
Official poverty statistics in the Philippines is a shame because it fails to disclose the real state of poverty in the Philippines, even consigning some sectors into nonexistence, the Philippine coalition of the global anti-poverty alliance Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP) said.
Ethiopia activists in court today again to hear verdict in treason trial
Anti-poverty activists Daniel Bekele and Netsanet Demissie who have faced several court delays to date, are scheduled to hear the verdict on treason related charges today Friday, November 30th. If found guilty, they could face life imprisonment or death sentences.
Observers Dismayed at Further Delay in Trial Of Ethiopian Activists
Ethiopian anti-poverty activists Daniel Bekele and Netsanet Demissie will remain in prison for at least another 24 days, as Judges in Ethiopia’s High Court today delayed their verdict for the third time in two months, postponing it until 24 December.
Poverty Worsened by Climate Change – GCAP-Philippines
Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP)-Philippines demands for the government to put strong measures to address the impacts of climate change on worsening poverty. It was said that extreme weather events and sea level rise could exacerbate the already worsening poverty in the country.
GCAP frustrated by Bali outcomes and slams bully tactics
The Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP) alliance, representing millions in over 110 countries, expresses deep frustration at the lack of binding agreements arising from the UN Climate Change Conference in Bali which ended today, despite the last minute agreement on a roadmap.
Verdict to be delivered December 24th in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
An online campaign has been launched to call for the release of jailed Ethiopians Daniel Bekele and Netsanet Demissie. To date, the campaign, originating from CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation and the Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP), has generated support from over 40 countries.
Ethiopian anti-poverty campaigners vindicated in court
Ethiopian activists Daniel Bekele and Netsanet Demissie may face brief additional time behind bars, as the court today sentenced them to two years and six months in prison on charges of incitement, despite demands by the prosecution that they receive the maximum sentence of 10 years.
GCAP Kenya alliance urges dialogue and says the political leadership as a whole has let down its people
Violence sweeping across Kenya since December 27th's disputed election is undermining years of progress in the fight against poverty and inequality there. With the economy at a standstill, violence and ethnic cleansing is devastating urban slums and poor rural areas. The Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP) Kenya network members most affected include slum based Korogocho Networks, Kariobangi, Mathare networks, Migori, and Molo networks. Preliminary reports indicate that network members have been beaten, lost their houses, are displaced and have had some of their relatives killed.
GCAP Kenya appeals for restoration of peace and good governance for sake of Kenyan poor
Members of the Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP) alliance across Kenya today called for an agreed, negotiated settlement so that good governance is restored. Following weeks of violence, the country needs to be put back onto a positive path for development and ending poverty in the interests of all its people. Political de-stabilisation following disputed election results on December 30 th is a distraction from the critical work that needs to be done to improve the lives of Kenyans living with out access to water, sanitation, housing, work or education.
GCAP Urgent Appeal to End Siege of Gaza Strip
Members of the Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP) alliance are deeply concerned about the 1.5 million Palestinians today suffering from lack of essential goods and services due to Israel’s on-going siege of the Gaza Strip. These violent and coercive Israeli measures have over months caused the deaths of hundreds of Palestinian civilians and the already fragile economy of Gaza has been decimated, causing poverty and unemployment rates to skyrocket.
Global Call to Action against Poverty launches plans for International Women's Day
Members of Global Call to Action Against Poverty GCAP Feminist Task Force today launched global plans for International Women’s Day (March 8) actions at UN Headquarters in New York during the meetings of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). With women representing 70% of the worlds poor, the issue of gender equality in the fight to end poverty is the core theme of hundreds of actions planned by GCAPs national coalitions on and around March 8th.
Africa’s largest anti-poverty alliance warns Sarkozy of consequences if aid is cut
27-02-08: On the eve of President Nicolas Sarkozy's arrival on state visit to South Africa, members of the Global Call to Action Against Poverty alliance in Africa are deeply concerned that France may not fulfil its aid commitments. Campaigners fear that if a major donor like France back tracks on the basic commitment of giving 0.7% of its Gross National Product as ODA by 2012, millions of lives will be negatively affected and it will create a worrying precedent.
GCAP concerned that contradictions in Sarkozy’s pledge of 2.5 billion might just be a numbers game?
The Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP) has expressed concern that the 2.5 billion Euro pledge by French President Nicholas Sarkozy in aid for Africa yesterday is not additional spending as it was presented. France committed in 2005 to spend 0.7% of GNP in Overseas Development Aid by 2015, confirmed this at subsequent G8 summits but has instead for the past two years been allocating less than required to meet the target.
OECD DAC report: Global Anti-Poverty Coalition appalled by latest Aid Data
The world's largest anti-poverty civil society movement (GCAP) today expressed outrage as new figures show that rich country spending on international aid has dropped for the second year in a row. This is despite promises made by these countries nearly 40 years ago to give 0.7% of their Gross National Income as aid, and shows that new political leadership is required urgently if they are ever to be met.
Food insecurity will undermine our livelihoods
Ghana is currently facing the threats of food insecurity. This is as a result of the low production of food crops and climatic changes that has hit the major food growing regions in the country. Major food crops growing areas like the Eastern and Brong Ahafo Regions of the country have already started recording increase in the prices of food items as a result low production. Already, there are signs that the food crisis will affect the entire world which developing countries like Ghana will be the worst hit. In view of that most rice producing countries have started reducing the number of rice they import to other countries. It is estimated that only 6% of global rice produced are exported.
Defend and Protect Poor People’s Right to food
An urgent structural shift in the global economic food system is needed to stem the effects of the growing global food crisis, according to the members of the Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP) alliance meeting in Bangkok earlier this week.