About UNMC, GCAP and BOND

The inspiration for Just1 StandUps comes from the work of these organisations - UNMC and GCAP throughout the world, and BOND in the UK. Over the past few years they've provided the 50 Days of Global Action Against Poverty, to which the StandUps are a simple contribution.

In 2009, 173,045,325 citizens gathered at over 3,000 events in more than 120 countries, demanding that their governments eradicate extreme poverty and achieve the Millennium Development Goals. "Stand Up, Take Action, End Poverty Now!", has been certified by Guinness World Records as the new world record and remains the largest mobilization of human beings in recorded history.

Just1's contribution was 102,000 out of the UK total of around 120,000.

As a one-person amateur organisation, Just1 isn't a member of UNMC, GCAP or BOND. But through Just1 StandUps, it provides activity and news stories in harmony with the work of the organisations and their members. Just1 keeps a close eye on what they're doing, to be sure of being there in parallel - if with slightly different purposes and personality!

The UN Millennium Campaign (UNMC)
is an official organisation of the United Nation set u to help achieve the Millennium Development Goals. For further information on UNMC click here.

The Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP)
is the world's largest civil coalition set up to fight poverty.  You'll know it from its symbol - the white band.

It consists of thousands of organisations and millions of individuals in 130+ countries. GCAP was behind the MakePovertyHistory campaign. For further information on GCAP, click here.

The Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP) is an 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 calls for action from the world’s leaders to meet their promises to end poverty and inequality. In particular, it demand solutions that address the issues of

• Public accountability, just governance and the fulfilment of human rights
• Trade justice
• A major increase in the quantity and quality of aid and financing for development
• Debt cancellation
• Gender equality

Who are the members of GCAP?

This global alliance is made up of a diverse range of coalitions, community groups, trade unions, individuals, faith groups and campaigners, who are all committed to the fight against poverty. These groups have formed country-based coalitions in more than 100 countries who support and promote GCAP’s demands and enable concerned citizens to join with GCAP, to put pressure on their country’s leaders and decision makers.

You can find out more about GCAP national coalitions and the organisations, groups and campaigners who form GCAP.  GCAP is coordinated through working groups, task forces and a global and regional secretariats. Find documents related to these bodies.

BOND (British Overseas NGOs for Development)

BOND is the UK membership body for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working in international development. Established in 1993, BOND now has over 340 member organisations, from large organisations with a world-wide presence to smaller, more specialist organisations working in specific regions or with specific groups of people.

Find out more about who is a member of BOND by searching the directory of members. You can also find out how to apply for membership.

With its members, BOND co-ordinates GCAP activities for the UK.

Why Stand Up and Take Action?
The GCAP/UNMC official view in 2009

For the fourth year in a row, millions of people around the world will Stand Up and Take Action to show their support for the fight against poverty and for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). This year, Stand Up will take place against the backdrop of a deepening financial crisis and a slowing global economy. It is a time of great challenge for development in general and for the MDGs in particular. Already, we are seeing the potentially devastating impact of this on the world’s poorest and most vulnerable. We know that the current economic climate threatens to undo and possibly even reverse the very significant gains that have been made towards achieving the MDGs. With just six years left to the 2015 deadline for the achievement of the Goals, we cannot afford to let this happen. The achievement of the MDGs must remain a priority on the global political and public agenda. In this environment, Stand Up is a vital opportunity to send a clear and urgent message to world leaders and decision- makers and raise the political stakes. Our policy messages and actions must reflect the urgency of the situation and must be an instrument to convey the sense of our growing impatience and intolerance of excuses for and distractions from the implementation of policies and programs that help the poorest and most vulnerable.

When
From 12 am GMT (relevant local time) on 16 October to 11.59 pm GMT(relevant local time) on 18 October .

Where
Wherever there are people who want to be involved in the fight against poverty and support the achievement of the MDGs.

What
Stand Up, Take Action, End Poverty Now! A three day mobilization to send a loud and clear message from citizens to leaders of rich and poor countries to take urgent action to achieve the MDGs and once again break the Guinness World Record. Participants will need to register their events at www.standagainstpoverty.org before the start of the mobilization and then report their numbers after they have taken part. Numbers will be counted and verified by Guinness World Records.