This event is your chance to demonstrate to the world that the current situation in Africa cannot be tolerated and that it is time to see justice done.
Organised by Christian Aid, starting at 12:30 there will be an Ecumenical worship and a procession to encircle Lichfield Cathedral in a white band. Schools workshops and opportunities will take place throughout the day.
The Cathedral bell will ring every 3 seconds from 12:15 to 12:30pm to symbolise the fact that poverty kills a child every 3 seconds. Friday 1st July 12:30pm Lichfield Cathedral
Be part of this event, wear your white wrist band with pride - take time in your busy lives to join us on the day. Actions by individuals do make a difference. This is a brilliant press opportunity to promote MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY.
At best on present progress in sub-Saharan Africa, primary education for all would be delivered not in 2015 but in 2130, that is 115 years too late. The halving of poverty promised by 2015, not until 2150, that will be 135 years too late, and the elimination of avoidable and needless infant deaths not by 2015 but by 2165. And I say 150 years is too long for people to wait for justice, is too long when infants are dying in Africa when there are medicines in the rest of the world that could easily heal them. Its too long for people to wait for a promise to be redeemed and a bond to be honoured, and its too long to wait, when what we lack is the will in the richest countries to act
The Chancellor Gordon Brown, speaking at the Brighton Trade Justice lobby in September 2004
This year, 160 organisations, NGOs trade unions, womens organisations and others have come together to form the coalition Make Poverty History. Because they too believe that it is too long to wait for justice. At its launch in Londons Trafalgar Square, Nelson Mandela spelt out the demands of the coalition as being: the achievement of Trade Justice allowing poor countries to have a say in the rues that govern their own trade, more cancellation of debt by fair and transparent means, and more and better aid that works effectively for those living in situations of poverty.
The Facts
1 billion people live in extreme poverty: 1.2 billion people dont have access to clean water
50,000 people die every day from extreme poverty: 100 million children cant go to school:
Unfair trade rules deny poor countries 0.7 billion a day, 14 x what they receive in aid:
Countries in sub-Saharan Africa spend 8 billion a year on debt repayments:
3 days global military spending (3 billion) could send every child to school: