The Just1 2009 StandUps Against Poverty and for the UN Millennium Development Goals
This page sets out the basic words for everyone to share
If you'd like to adapt or modify them -
for example, as Bidding Prayers -
please do so

The Just1 StandUp Promises
to the Poor of the World
to stand up and share out loud

  by schools in StandUp Assemblies or classes any time on Friday 16 October 2009
  by members of faith congregations and other communities
     any time that suits on Friday, Saturday or Sunday 16-18 October
 

Conductor of Just1 StandUps Hugh Gibbons says:

Standing up and sharing the promises set out here is the core part of Just1 StandUps Against Poverty.  They're the common thread for everyone taking part through the three days. 

With a brief introduction, they should take about 3 minutes - so fit in nicely for a school assembly, a church service, or during a break at work.  

They can be read out by one person or several (with lively and good voices).  Or everyone can join in using copies of the Promises.

It’s quite a nice idea for children to take the Promises home to their families, to show them what they’ve done, pin up, or get them to join in.

NB The wording is designed for all ages and all sorts of gatherings.  But nothing is sacrosanct.  If you feel you’d like to adjust the Promises or the Introduction to suit those joining in, please do so. (Yes, Reception class at 9.10am on the Friday are different from 250 adults on the Sunday morning…) For example, you could use just the words in bold.  Or you might add to them, or discuss them, or do posters.

Many thanks - and best wishes for the day.

Sheets of Promises
ready for for printing out and photocopying by schools,
parishes and other groups
can be downloaded
here

Ecumenical Pastoral Postcard
to StandUp schools and parishes
from bishops and faith leaders
of any denomination.
In Word form ready to print out. 
Click here to download.

Today, you're about to make history - to take part in a remarkable worldwide event.

You have many different voices, but you share the same message: stand up and speak out against poverty.

Every year sees 50 Days of Global Action Against Poverty organised by the United Nations Millennium Campaign and the Global Call to Action Against Poverty.  Together they represent the voices of thousands of concerned organisations and tens of millions of people.

The climax of the 50 Days is now: this Friday, Saturday and Sunday when anyone, anywhere can show their support for the poor and Stand Up Against Poverty.  The three days always include 17th October - the United Nations Day for the Eradication of Poverty.  

Last year nearly 117 million took part, including over 60,000 in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. This year, with your help our contribution will be many times that standing up and speaking out - gathering in hundreds and thousands in schools and churches and other places. 

And many schools and communities will also be writing to governments - not with a petition but to tell them that the good citizens of today and tomorrow have concerns and values that they want governments to be aware of and respect.  So now you're invited to make history – to stand up and share our Promises to the Poor.

Let's start by standing in silence for a few moments and listening for the voices of the poor coming from the east, west, north and south.

Now let us say to the east, west, north and south that they can count on us.

• We promise to stand up for stopping extreme poverty and hunger
  So we speak out today for the billion people who go to bed hungry every night

• We promise to stand up for reducing child mortality
  So we speak out today for the 30,000 children who each day die due to poverty

• We promise to stand up for improving basic health
  So we speak out today for all people those fighting diseases which ravage communities, for ensuring clean fresh water for everyone, and for the care of mothers in childbirth

• We promise to stand up for promoting fairness, justice, and respect
  So we speak out today for all those people working for peace and justice and human rights

• We promise to stand up for primary education for all
  So we speak out to ask that children everywhere will get a full course of basic schooling

• We promise to stand up for respecting the world’s resources
  So we speak out for those people already suffering the effects of climate change, and for those working hard to ensure that the riches and benefits of our planet are shared by all
   

• And finally we promise to stand up and speak out against poverty - whenever we can, again again

Thank you all for taking part. 

And now, a final action that the organiser of Just1 StandUps has asked everyone to do.

Give each other a pat on the back, and say Well Done

for standing up and speaking out against poverty!