"This is not Live Aid 2! These concerts are the start point for The Long Walk To Justice, the one way we can all make our voices heard in unison.This is without doubt a moment in history where ordinary people can grasp the chance to achieve something truly monumental and demand from the 8 world leaders at G8 an end to poverty.
The G8 leaders have it within their power to alter history. They will only have the will to do so if tens of thousands of people show them that enough is enough.
By doubling aid, fully cancelling debt, and delivering trade justice for Africa, the G8 could change the future for millions of men, women and children."
LIVE 8 is part of a day of action across the world which kick-starts The Long Walk to Justice that calls on the leaders of the worlds richest countries to act when they meet in Gleneagles on 6th-9th July. On July 2nd in London, Edinburgh, Philadelphia, Berlin, Paris and Rome millions will be coming together to call for complete debt cancellation, more and better aid and trade justice for the worlds poorest people.
LIVE 8 is calling for people across the world to unite in one call in 2005 it is your voice we are after, not your money.
The G8 brings together the leaders of the worlds most powerful countries the USA, Canada, Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Russia. This year they meet from 6th 9th July in Gleneagles with Britains Prime Minister, Tony Blair hosting the summit.
Tony Blair has put the challenges faced in Africa on the top of the agenda but the leaders need to know when they sit down that the world is watching them and waiting for them to deliver.
13th July 1985 saw the world sit up and take notice when rock stars from around the world held unique dual concerts in London and Philadelphia, which saw millions of people watching as Live Aid, called on people to take action to help the sufferers of the famine hitting Africa.
Live Aid raised over $100 million. But 20 years on poverty, famine and disease is still a major problem in Africa. The public have shown how important this is to them now it is time to get governments to act.
LIVE 8 is about justice not charity.
2005 offers a unique opportunity for everyone to come together and ask the G8 to make poverty history. LIVE 8 is one event of many around the world supporting the aims of the Global Call to Action Against Poverty. The global symbol of the campaign is a white band. To find out how to get one, and for more information about what is happening near you, visit one of the sites below.
In the United Kingdom
www.makepovertyhistory.org
In the United States
www.one.org
In Canada
www.makepovertyhistory.ca
In France
www.2005plusdexcuses.org
In Germany
www.weltweite-aktion-gegen-armut.de
In Spain
www.pobrezacero.org
In Japan
www.hottokenai.jp
If your country is not listed above, please visit www.whiteband.org for a list of current international partner campaigns.
DATA aims to raise awareness about, and spark response to the crises swamping Africa: unpayable debts, uncontrolled spread of AIDS, and unfair trade rules which keep Africans poor.
DATA is part of a rising tide of action by people like you to beat back these crises.
The organization was founded in 2002 by Bono, the lead singer of U2, along with Bobby Shriver and activists from the Jubilee 2000 Drop the Debt campaign. At the core of DATA's mission is a view that these issues are not about charity, but about equality and justice.
The British Prime Minister Tony Blair launched the Commission for Africa in February 2004. The aim of the Commission was to take a fresh look at Africas past and present and the international communitys role in its development path.
Their report was launched in March read the report
It's simple really, change the rules. Now. It's an obvious solution - challenge and change the rules so they work for poor countries. Re-write them so poor countries can develop, build their own industries, grow stronger, and one day compete as equals. Rich countries used trade rules to protect themselves as they developed - which is how they got where they are now. Now we need to use trade rules to end world poverty as we know it.
Debt - What Needs To Be Done?Two weeks ago 280 million Africans woke up for the first time in their lives without owing you or me a penny from the burden of debt that has crippled them and their countries for so long. The deal struck by G7 Finance Ministers was a victory for the millions of people in the campaigns around the world. But the deal affects, immediately, only 18 countries. There are twice that number in need of help, including Nigeria. And though debt cancellation should be directed in ways that reduce poverty and improve governance it must not come with arduous economic strings attached.
Aid - What Needs To Be Done?But it's vital that this Aid focuses better on poor people's needs. This means more aid being spent on areas such as basic health care and education. Aid should support poor countries' and communities' own plans and paths out of poverty.
We Know It WorksSmallpox was wiped out by just over US$100m worth of targeted aid. Polio is also close to being eliminated. Mozambique's economy grew at an astonishing 12 per cent in the 1990s when aid constituted 50 per cent of its income. In Tanzania, debt relief enabled the government to abolish primary school fees, leading to a whopping 66 per cent increase in attendance. As a result, 1.6million more children now attend school. Debt relief helped kick-start Mozambique's impressive recovery from civil war and terrible floods and enabled its government to vaccinate 500,000 additional children. NOW IS THE TIME, THIS IS THE YEAR - OUR LEADERS HAVE THE POWER TO END POVERTY - BUT WE HAVE THE POWER TO MAKE THEM USE IT |
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We don't want your money, we want YOU
The Long Walk To Justice is the symbolic journey of millions of people across the world to show the G8 leaders that the world is watching and waiting.
Ahead of the G8 Summit, those that can, will make their way to the Scottish capital, Edinburgh, to show the leaders of the world's richest nations in person, that they must act to stop the scandal of extreme poverty now.
As well as those who make it to Edinburgh, tens of millions around the globe will join in the biggest ever call to end poverty
Every name on the LIVE 8 list - and every photo sent to live8live.com - will be taken from Murrayfield directly to Gleneagels on the eve of the most important summit in the fight against poverty.
The Long Walk to Justice is on course to attract: The largest ever TV audience; The busiest website in the world; The largest ever online petition - The LIVE 8 list ; The largest ever text petition; The largest ever response to a TV show
If you're going to Edinburgh? Find out more about what is happening in Edinburgh
If you cant make it in person you can still play a big part in the long walk.
This Long Walk To Justice culminates on Wednesday 6th July the eve of the all-important G8 Summit - with a celebration of the largest and loudest cry to make poverty history the world has ever seen at Murrayfield Stadium called Edinburgh 50,000 the Final Push.
Heres whats happening in the Scottish capital as part of the Long Walk To Justice:
The G8 Gallery
As part of The Long Walk To Justice a huge photo-campaign - The G8 Gallery - will see hundreds of thousands of pictures posted along two miles of railings in Princes Street, Edinburgh. This visual statement will show that you and millions like you, want our leaders to use the power they have to end poverty - for good.
If you make it to Edinburgh on Wednesday 6th July you can attach the pictures of you, your friends and your family to the gallery yourself.
If you can't be in Edinburgh you can send us your pictures and we will attach them for you. Upload your image or text it to 0044 7774 777 444.
Other Events
There will also be numerous special church services across the capital and also
the wrapping of the world famous Edinburgh castle in a huge white banner
Edinburgh Council also have a host of events lined up in support of the Long Walk To Justice. To find out more visit www.edinburgh.gov.uk/G8summit
Edinburgh has inspired generations of thinkers and inspires still its residents and visitors. No city is better placed to rise to the challenge of providing a suitable backdrop for the decisions made by the G8 Leaders.
We have organised a range of special events in the city to spread the word and encourage discussion. These include the J8 Summit for young people, art and photography exhibitions, a series of public talks, 'Film Africa' series at the Edinburgh Filmhouse, Edinburgh-South Africa school exchange and musical events.
For accommodation and campsite information go to www.visitscotland.com
If you cant make it to Edinburgh, you can still be part of The Long Walk To Justice:
The LIVE 8 List
Tell the leaders of the world that enough is enough by signing the LIVE 8 List and your name, along with hundreds of thousands of others will be delivered to the G8 leaders on the eve of their summit.
G8 Gallery
As part of The Long Walk To Justice a huge photo-campaign - The G8 Gallery -
will see hundreds of thousands of pictures posted along two miles of railings in
Princes Street, Edinburgh.
This visual statement will show that you and millions like you, want our
leaders to use the power they have to end poverty - for good.
Upload your image or text it to 0044 7774
777 444.
Sign the LIVE 8 List Wear a White Band
If youre a teacher or a student Find out more about how your school can take part in The Long Walk To Justice.
LIVE 8 and Make Poverty History are about highlighting the inequalities between rich and poor countries and sending a clear message to the worlds leaders that this must change.
The concerts and the Long Walk to Justice present a unique opportunity for people to come together in a global call for an end to extreme poverty. The G8 may have the power to make these decisions but we have the power to make them use it.
This summer offers schools one of the most exciting opportunities theyve ever had to energise a whole generation and help them realise that their voices matter and should and can be heard. As a school community, you can use this opportunity to speak up and tell the G8 leaders that we want them to make poverty history once and for all.
How schools can take part in LIVE 8 and The Long Walk to Justice:
2005 offers a unique opportunity for everyone to come together and ask the G8 to make poverty history. LIVE 8 is one event of many around the world supporting the aims of the Global Call to Action Against Poverty. The global symbol of the campaign is a white band . To find out how to get one, and for more information about what is happening near you, visit one of the sites below.
Our leaders have the power to change the world.
But only we have the power to make them use it.
Tell your leader to end poverty at the G8