MAKE POVERTY HISTORY: Dublin Rally Thursday 30 June

Assemble Parnell Square At 6.30 pm And Proceed To The Main Rally At Merrion Square At 7.15 pm

Photo Series of Dublin's Make Poverty History Rally

Millions of people around the World are trapped in bitter, unrelenting poverty because of man-made factors: a glaringly unjust global trade system which favours the most powerful countries and punishes the poorest; demands from rich countries and global institutions for vast sums of money to service old debts, even those incurred by oppressive regimes and insufficient aid which never gets to where it is most needed. The gap between the World's rich and poor has never been wider. Malnutrition, AIDS, conflict and illiteracy are a daily reality for millions. But it isn't chance or bad luck that keeps people trapped in bitter, unrelenting poverty. It's man-made factors like a glaringly unjust global trade system, a debt burden so great that it suffocates any chance of recovery and insufficient and ineffective aid.

Back in 2001 the governments of the eight wealthiest nations on the planet said that they were going to do something about it. In what was seen as a breakthrough, they promised to halve World poverty by 2015. Four years later the World’s leaders are failing dismally to reach those targets.

The event will start at Parnell Square at 6.30 pm and lead to the main rally at Merrion Square at 7.15 pm. Everybody is urged to support this event and stand in solidarity with the poorest people around the world who are suffering the consequences of the debt burden, unjust trade rules and the failure of world leaders to meet their international commitments to deliver more and better aid.

MakePovertyHistory.ie
• Dublin Rally	• Belfast Rally	• Cork Rally

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On Thursday 30 June, as leaders of the world's richest countries prepare to go to Scotland for the G8 summit, and tens of thousands of campaigners prepare to rally in Edinburgh, thousands will gather in Dublin to send a message to the G8 leaders:

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

We want trade justice, debt cancellation, and more and better aid for the world's poorest countries. Be there. Make your voice heard. Make History in 2005.

‘Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings.
And overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life’
Nelson Mandela


MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY

Your participation at the demonstration in Dublin will be a clear sign that we care about global poverty and injustice. The more people attend the campaign the harder it is for the G8 to ignore the pledge for a better world. They will have to do something about it.

If we can change eight men’s minds, we can change 800 million lives.

The more people attend the Dublin rally the harder it is for the Irish Government to ignore the call to make good the solemn pledge at the United Nations in 2000 that Ireland would reach its Aid target by 2007.

The Dublin Rally will involve a Parade from Parnell Square to Merrion Square. This will be a family friendly event with a strong Scottish theme: G8 in Kilts, pipers and Nessy. The main prop will be the people forming a sea of white banners, T-shirts and flags. Once at Merrion Square there will be a few speeches (from Africa and Ireland) marking the historic moment followed by some first class Irish and African musicians .Already confirmed are Hothouse Flowers, The Devlins and the Walls. This will be the biggest Irish solidarity event focused on the poorest people in the world.


600 million children live in absolute poverty.

Every year more than 10 million children die of hunger and preventable diseases – that's one child every three seconds.

But it doesn't have to be this way. Poverty doesn't occur by chance or bad luck.

Millions of people around the world are trapped in bitter, unrelenting poverty because of man-made factors: a glaringly unjust global trade system which favours the most powerful countries and punishes the poorest; demands from rich countries and global institutions for vast sums of money to service old debts, even those incurred by oppressive regimes; insufficient aid which never gets to where it is most needed. The gap between the world's rich and poor has never been wider. Malnutrition, AIDS, conflict and illiteracy are a daily reality for millions. But it isn't chance or bad luck that keeps people trapped in bitter, unrelenting poverty. Its man-made factors like a glaringly unjust global trade system, a debt burden so great that it suffocates any chance of recovery and insufficient and ineffective aid.

Back in 2001 the governments of the eight wealthiest nations on the planet said that they were going to do something about it - in what was seen as a breakthrough, they promised to halve world poverty by 2015. Four years later the world’s leaders are failing dismally to reach those targets.


The event will start at Parnell Square at 6.30pm and lead to the main rally at Merrion Square at 7.15pm. Everybody is urged to support this event and stand in solidarity with the poorest people around the world who are suffering the consequences of the debt burden, unjust trade rules and the failure of world leaders to meet their international commitments to deliver more and better aid.

This event is also organised to afford Irish people an opportunity to be part of the world-wide movement, The Global Call To Action Against Poverty, which is organising protests around the world supported by millions of people. Organised in solidarity with the poorest people around the world who are suffering the consequences of the debt burden, unjust trade rules and the failure of world leaders to meet their international commitments to deliver more and better aid.
The MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY - IRISH CAMPAIGN June 30th Dublin Rally will, alongside this global movement, turn up the political pressure on the Irish government and world leaders to take action against global poverty and injustice in advance of the G-8 Summit in Scotland this July.


Debt
• Make Poverty History Campaign is urging the Irish government to press for debt cancellation to be extended to all countries that need it. All debt, not some of it.
• MPH views the G8 recent decision as a positive step: It will free up about $1 bn over the next ten years. Money that poor countries now have to pay off to rich countries, rather than invest in health care or education.
• But it’s not 100% debt cancellation for poor countries. Many countries are excluded from the debt cancellation. And many debts are excluded. And the debt cancellation will have to be paid for by reductions in future aid to the 18 countries involved.

Aid
• The government has broken its promise to meet our responsibility of spending 0.7% of GNP in aid. This is a massive let down to people in the developing world.
• This is a promise broken that was made in the name of the Irish people to the poor of the world.
• MPH is demanding that the Irish government deliver a credible plan for delivering on its overseas aid responsibilities. This means:
- committing to an early date to achieve the target of 0.7% of GNP – 2010 at the latest.
- outlining of a plan for each and every year until the target is reached
- providing the means to ensure the commitment is kept this time, eg. through legislation.
• Aid is needed now, not in 2015; We have committed ourselves to halving poverty by 2015. This requires investment NOW. Investment in health care, education, roads, etc. Waiting until 2015 is a recipe for failure.

Trade
• We are calling for action by the Irish government in support of fairer trade rules that benefit the poor.
• Trade rules are being set by the WTO (World Trade Organisation). At present, these are hugely stacked in favour of the rich countries. Rich countries are allowed to protect their “sensitive” industries (agriculture, textiles) but poor countries have to open up their markets at all costs.
• We are simply asking for a level playing field: the same rules should apply for rich and poor countries. That is Trade Justice



MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY
IRISH CAMPAIGN
PARTICIPANTS:

ActionAid Ireland, Afri, AidLink, Children InCrossfire ,Christian Aid, Church of Ireland Bishops' Appeal, Comhlámh, Concern, CORI Justice Commission, Debt & Development Coalition Ireland, Dóchas, EAPN Ireland , ElectricAid, Fairtrade Mark Ireland, Friends of the Earth Ireland,Health & Development Network, IDEA, IFPA, IMU, Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Irish Anti-War Movement, KADE, Mandate, Mercy Justice Office, National Youth Council of Ireland, Ocras International, Oxfam Ireland, Plan International, Presentation Justice Network,The Rose Project, Self Help Development International, Sightsavers International, Skillshare International Ireland
Slí Eile, Street Seen, Suas, Sustainable Ireland, Tearfund,Trócaire, UCD Development Studies Centre, Union of Students in Ireland, WorldVision Ireland, Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice

Downloadable Posters/Web Banners are available at: http://www.debtireland.org/resources/poster.htm