Last year, over 43 million people stood up to demand that world leaders keep their promises to end poverty and inequality.
This year, help us break that record and send an even louder message to our governments. At the halfway point to the 2015 deadline to achieve the MDGs, the time for talk is over; we demand urgent action to implement these Goals now
Join the global movement of people who refuse to stay seated or silent in the face of poverty and broken promises to end it!
WHAT IS STAND UP, TAKE ACTION?
STAND UP, TAKE ACTION is a worldwide call to show your support to end poverty and achieve and exceed the Millennium Development Goals. From October 17-19 people will literally and symbolically STAND UP and TAKE a variety of ACTIONS to demand their governments to deliver on commitments to end extreme poverty.
Two years ago, over 23 million people answered the call to STAND UP setting the first and largest Guinness World Record of its kind. Last year, the movement grew massively to over 43 million. This year you have three days to take part in the STAND UP action and be counted for the Guinness World Record.
WHY STAND UP AND TAKE ACTION?
In 2000, leaders of 189 countries signed the Millennium Declaration agreeing to do everything in their power to end poverty. They pledged to do this by achieving the Millennium Development Goals, a roadmap to end extreme poverty by 2015. Still, every day, 50.000 people die as a result of extreme poverty and the gap between rich and poor people is increasing. Nearly half the world's population live in poverty, 70% are women. We have the power to change this. STAND UP and TAKE ACTION campaigners worldwide will be pushing their governments for more and better aid, debt cancellation, education for all boys and girls, healthcare, trade justice, gender equality and public accountability.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED?
1. TAKE ACTION
There are many ways you can take action. For some ideas, take a look at www.standagainstpoverty.org. The actions should send a relevant message to your local or national government. This could include signing a petition, taking an online e-action, presenting your MDG-related demands to a politician, preparing a study to an issue you care about or direct lobbying ... there are options for everyone. Remember, to be counted towards the record you need to take part in the STAND UP action itself between Friday 17th to Sunday 19th of October.
2. JOIN A PLANNED STAND UP EVENT
The United Nations Millennium Campaign and the Global Call to Action Against Poverty are working with a large number of national and local partners; schools and universities as well as local community groups, women's groups, choirs, sporting clubs, faith groups, trade unions, local authorities, corporations and many more. Events are being organized in cities and villages around the world.
You can join these events or encourage a group or organization you are a part of to get involved. This is a unique opportunity to speak with one voice on one issue. Get the massage across with your action. View STAND UP events and find one near you at www.standagainstpoverty.org.
3. ARRANGE YOUR OWN STAND UP EVENT
a) Choose the location.
b) Plan an event or insert a STAND UP and TAKE ACTION moment into an existing event.
c) Choose an event leader or high profile host person/celebrity from the community.
d) Spread the word via e-mail, letters, flyers, posters and local media. The "Event in a Box" range of resources and materials is available for download at www.standagainstpoverty.org.
e) Invite local government members to attend and witness your demands.
To count towards the Guinness World Record, actions must take place between Friday, October 17th and Sunday, October 19th.
ON THE DAY: HOW TO "STAND UP AND TAKE ACTION"?
HOW TO BE COUNTED AND WHY?
Register your STAND UP action and the numbers of people that took part at www.standagainstpoverty.org or on the relevant national campaign website. You can also fax your submissions to your local GCAP / Millennium Campaign office. These fax numbers are also listed on the www.standagainstpoverty.org website.
