As an annual follow-on to Make Poverty History around the United Nations’ annual Day for the Eradication of Poverty, tens of millions of people throughout the world traditionally mark out three days to Stand Up and Take Action Against Poverty.

 

This action is organised by the Global Call to Action Against Poverty and the United Nations Millennium Campaign.  In 2009, over 170 million people took part in 130+ countries - a Guinness World Record for the fourth year running.

 

As a UK contribution, in 2009 Just1 arranged for over 100,000 souls to share the simple Promises to the Poor in hundreds of schools, churches and other settings.  Many added their own special actions.

 

As in previous years, for 2010 there's a simple set of Promises to the Poor for schools to share in assembly or classroom any time that suits on Friday 15 October 2010 - or the day before.

 

You’ll just need to find a few minutes during the ordinary day. 

 

NB It’s all free, and nothing is sacrosanct.  If you feel you’d like to adjust the Promises or the timing to suit your needs, please do so.  To see what some other schools have done and said, click here.

 

And if you’d like to be counted in the annual Guinness World Record, simply enrol via Just1 any time from now on, or directly with GCAP at their website www.standagainstpoverty.org in October. (NB the Just1 webpage seems to be easier to use - and to find your school and others.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For information on GCAP and the
United Nations Millennium Campaign,
which co-ordinate the worldwide stand up
and Guinness World Record figures,
click here.

Our Promises to the Poor 2010
a suggested set of words for reading out and
sharing in assembly or classroom
at any time on Friday 15 October 2010
(or in any other setting on that Friday to Sunday)

 

 

Are you ready to count your blessings and share some Promises to the Poor. 

 

First, let’s listen in silence to hear the voices of the poor coming from the south, north, east and west.  Now let’s tell them whey they can count on us to stand up for them.

 

We want a world that helps the poor and hungry.  A billion people go to bed hungry every night – unlike us. So shall we count our blessings today and every day – and promise to stand up for stopping extreme poverty and hunger? Shall we?  YES!

 

We want a world that looks after babies and mothers.  Each day 30,000 children and many mothers in childbirth die due because of poverty – unlike in our country.  So shall we count our blessings today and every day – and promise to stand up for reducing child mortality? Shall we?  YES!

 

We want a world that has more doctors, nurses and medicine for all.  Diseases hit many communities.  Millions of people don’t even have clean water.  So shall we count our blessings today and every day – and promise to stand up for basic health for everyone?  Shall we?  YES!

 

We want a world that supports fairness, justice, dignity and respect.  In all countries, people need these to have proper lives.  So shall we count our blessings today and every day – and promise to speak out today for all those working for peace and justice, human rights and equality?  Shall we?  YES!

 

We want a world where all children get a basic education.  Many millions do not even start let alone finish school – unlike us.  So shall we count our blessings today and every day - and promise to stand up for making sure that all children get a basic schooling?  Shall we?  YES? 

 

We want a world that respects the world’s resources.  Millions of people are already suffering the effects of climate change and environmental damage.  So shall we count our blessings today and every day - and promise to stand up and speak out for those working hard to ensure that the riches and benefits of our planet are shared fairly, and by all?  Shall we?  YES? 

 

And finally we want a world where people care about what happens – and want to make things better.  So shall we promise to stand up and speak out against poverty and for social justice – again and again and again?  Shall we?  YES!

 

Thank you.  Now shall we give each other a pat on the back and say Well Done for Standing Up Against Poverty?  YES!