Stand up against Poverty: Media Advisory

London, 2006-10-15

For Immediate Release

FILM/PHOTO OPPORTUNITY

Millions stand united against poverty in world record setting attempt

What: In the 24 hours before World Poverty Day on 17 October, millions of people from Asia to Africa and Latin America to Europe will literally “Stand Up Against Poverty” and pledge their solidarity to alleviate poverty and suffering around the world.

From football fans to concert-goers, from human chains in city centres to school assemblies and church congregations in remote villages, the Global Call to Action Against Poverty is motivating people in 80 countries to stand united in challenging world leaders to end the injustice of poverty.

Monitored by the Guinness Book of Records, the official number of people participating in Stand Up events will be announced on World Poverty Day, 17 October.

When: The events will take place in a 24 hour period which starts at 10am (GMT) on Sunday, October 15 and finishes at 10pm (GMT) on Monday, 16 October 2006

Who: United by the international symbol of the white band, the Global Coalition for Action Against Poverty (GCAP) is the world’s largest anti-poverty coalition, whose organisations together represent more than 150 million people globally. In collaboration with the UN Millennium Campaign, millions will ‘stand up’ together to keep the pressure on governments to end world poverty, inequality and achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

Contact: Sarah Jenkinson at GCAP, +44 7810 180237 or media@whiteband.org
For more information: www.whiteband.org or www.standagainstpoverty.org

HIGHLIGHTS:

In Malawi, congregations of up to 3 million people are expected to ‘Stand Up’ during church services across the country including a rally with Malawi President Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika
In Tanzania, thousands of people living in slum areas will stand united at a rally and music concert.
Over half a million young people from across 64 districts in Bangladesh will stand together in white human chains.
The whole stadium at the ICC’s India v England cricket match in Jaipur, India will ‘stand up’ in solidarity with estimated figures of 4 million people across India. This will be broadcast live on TV around the world.
Giant white inflatable ‘Make Poverty History’ men will float high above a mass ‘stand up’ in Sydney, Australia supported by approximately 20,000 standing up in over 100 locations around Australia.
A march of 5,000 young people dressed in white in Togliatti, Western Russia plus in the central park of Vladimir, families will ‘Stand Up’ at a music concert filled with white balloons.
In Japan a gigantic white band will be unravelled with hundreds stood united in Hiroba Square, Tokyo.
Islamic Cleric, Aa’Gym will lead ‘stand up’ events at Islamic boarding schools across Indonesia, while at the national monument in Jakarta, a hundred street performers will beat their drums against poverty.
In the US, the ONE Campaign will take a stand against poverty by hosting hundreds of house parties to spread the message about extreme poverty and global AIDS.

IMAGES AND FOOTAGE ARE AVAILABLE FROM KEY EVENTS AROUND THE WORLD.
For full details of all 80 countries contact Sarah Jenkinson on 07810-180237 or email: media@whiteband.org

HIGHLIGHT COUNTRY CONTACT DETAILS:

AUSTRALIA:
16/10 at 03:00 (GMT) – two giant white inflatable men will float high above a mass ‘stand up’
Martin Square, Sydney. Events also in Melbourne, Canberra
CONTACT: Sarah Gregory, Tel: +61 2 6281 9227 Mob:+ 61 (0)413 70
Email: sgregory@acfid.asn.au or Ian Woolverton, + 61 (0)409 181 454

BANGLADESH:
16/10 at 05:50 (GMT) - human chain across Bangladesh
CONTACT: Rasheda Choudhury, Tel: +880-2-9130427 Email: rasheda@campebd.org
Tasmeen, Tel: +880 2 81 4024/5 or + (8802) 8155031-2 mob: 0171 303 9518
email: tanseem@campebd.org

INDIA:
15/10 –38,000 stand at the ICC India v England cricket match plus 4 million across India
CONTACT:
Ajit Sahi, Mob: +91 98996 2588 Tel:+91 11 4145 0381 Email ajit.sahi@undp.org
Lysa John, Wada Na Todo, Tel: +91 11 46082371 Email: wntaindia@gmail.com

INDONESIA: Islamic Cleric, Aa’Gym will lead ‘stand up’ events at Islamic boarding schools/ national monument in Jakarta, a hundred street performers will beat their drums against poverty.
CONTACT: Abdul Gofur Tel + 622179180346 Cell: +628128937968
Email: antipemiskinan@yahoo.com

JAPAN:
15/10 at 05:00-11:00 (GMT) - a gigantic white band will be unravelled.
Hibiya City Hiroba(Square), Tokyo
CONTACT: Katsuji Imata , Tel: +81-3-5484-5977 Email: katsuji@csonj.org　

MALAWI:
15/10 at 12:00 pm (GMT) - anti-poverty rally/ concert.
Chief Guest: Malawi President Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika
CONTACT: S. Kaluzi, Tel: +2658608571 Email: congoma@malawi.net
Sylvia Mwichuli, Cell: +254 7237 83688 Tel: +254 20 4453440
Email: smwichuli2002@yahoo.com

RUSSIA:
15/10 from 10:00 (GMT) till 17:00 (GMT) – anti-poverty march and music concert
CONTACT: Vitaliy Kartamyshev Tel: +7-495-246-49-44 Email: VKartamyshev@oxfam.org.uk
Maxim +7 9013105342/ +7 8129748442

TANZANIA:
15/10 from 07:00am (GMT) – anti-poverty concert, Mnazi Moja Grounds
CONTACT: Ngunga Tepani, Tel: +255 2227 74581/2 Email: ntepani2@yahoo.com
Sylvia Mwichuli, Cell: +254 7237 83688 Tel: +254 20 4453440
Email: smwichuli2002@yahoo.com

USA:
15/10 - the ONE Campaign will take a stand against poverty by hosting hundreds of house parties to spread the message about extreme poverty and global AIDS.
CONTACT: Michelle Dixon, Tel: + 1 202 639 8010 Cell: + 1 202 345 2734
Email: mdixon@care.org

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