 Click for PDF file of poster
In 2005, the BCGEU participated in the International Make Poverty History Campaign with Public Services International (PSI) and the Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAAP). The goals of the campaign were: More and Better Aid, Debt Cancellation, Trade Justice and National Level Action. 31 million people from 84 national coalitions united in the Global Call to Action against Poverty.
Across the world campaigners gathered together on three co-coordinated White Band Days on July 1st, September 10th and December 10th to pressure their governments through a vast array of events and activities. People wore white wrist bands to show the world that they want action against poverty and not just words from their political leaders.
One of the most powerful sounds of 2005 was the sound of fingers clicking. A stark illustration of a shocking fact: that a child dies as a result of poverty every three seconds. It was a reminder of the vulnerability of billions of people living a life of poverty perpetuated not by chance or nature, but by human decisions. The click was a call to action from the Make Poverty History campaign launched in January 2005 to challenge these decisions. (find the “Click” video with famous supporters on the Make Poverty History Canada Link)
So why is BCGEU involved?
Fighting poverty is at the core of union work. Millions of workers around the world, many of whom are children, work with no rights or social protection. Unions advocate for an international economic framework that focuses on economic growth, and pro-employment growth.
The BCGEU is a member of Public Services International (PSI), which has joined with the international alliance known as the Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP).
Unions through PSI and GCAP have identified the right to quality public services as a key demand in the campaign’s lobbying and actions.
In many countries public services such as health, education and water have been privatized. Increased costs and reduced access to these services have made poverty and suffering worse for the world’s poor. Aid must not be conditional on countries agreeing to privatize their public services.
Provincial/ Local Anti Poverty Campaigns
Many member organizations of the B.C. Federation of Anti Poverty Groups (FAPG) suffered significant setbacks due to BC Liberal funding cuts since 2001. Consequently, representatives from the National Anti Poverty Organization (NAPO) along with support from the BCGEU are working to organize an FAPG Conference this spring in Victoria at the BCGEU Victoria Area Office (John T. Shields Building) to re-establish the important, coordinated anti-poverty work of FAPG in BC. For more information on provincial and local anti-poverty campaigns click on the following link:
FAPG Conference Info
National Anti Poverty Campaigns
On Feb 15, 2006, Make Poverty History (Canada) called for the Harper government to keep Canada’s longstanding promise to provide 0.7% of GNI in foreign aid. One year ago, Conservative, Bloc and NDP leaders jointly called on Prime Minister, Paul Martin, to honour Canada’s commitments on aid spending to the world’s poor and pass legislation to focus aid spending on ending poverty.
Consequently, all parties in Parliament unanimously voted for Canada’s aid to reach 0.5% by 2010 and 0.7% by 2015. The Conservative platform promises to reach 0.42% of GNI by 2010, the current average provided by all donors. While the Conservatives’ most recent pledge would be an excellent first step, it is important to keep pressure on the Conservatives to move on that quickly and set a timetable for reaching the 0.7% promise.
In the fall of 2005, the National Anti-Poverty Organization developed the “Living Wage Pay Cheque” campaign to lobby provincial governments to raise minimum wage to $10.00/ hour. This is a campaign supported by the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE). For more information on Canadian Anti-Poverty campaigns click on the following links:
International Anti Poverty Campaigns
Back in 2001 the governments of the eight wealthiest nations on the planet said that they were going to do something about world poverty - in what was seen as a breakthrough, they promised to halve world poverty by 2015. Four years later the world was still failing dismally to reach those targets.
So in 2005, the International Make Poverty History campaign was executed in numerous countries across the world and significantly raised awareness to this important issue on a global scale. Make Poverty History International is asking people to “Keep Campaigning.” Click on the following links to find more about international anti-poverty campaigns:
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