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Please note: this page
is now archive.
Here are just some of the people in Bristol and the
South West who supported Make Poverty History:
MPs
MEPs
Celebrities
Academics
Faith Communities
Campaign Groups
Community Groups
Public Figures
Trade Unions
MPs
David Drew, MP Stroud
“I am pleased and proud to sign up to the Make Poverty History
campaign. This puts third world development and in particular debt
relief at the centre of the politics of the developed world, and
make sure that we all now sign up to an agenda that the defeat of
poverty, with all the wrongs that this entails should be one of
our prime motivations. I hope that this campaign will feature in
the run-up to the General Election and subsequent to it making sure
that the new Government is called to account, so that actions will
speak louder than words.”
Don Foster, MP Bath
“We shouldn’t be here again…poverty should already
be history. 2005 must be the year to grasp opportunities; to make
trade truly fair, not just simply free; to make a final demand on
addressing global debt and to make a serious commitment to help
poorer countries to help themselves.”
Adrian Sanders, MP Torbay
"What we do next year will determine whether future historians
look back on 2005 as the year when the world came to its senses
and made poverty history."
Gary Streeter, MP SW Devon
“I am delighted to support the Make Poverty History campaign.
When citizens, governments and NGOs all work together there is no
limit to the impact that we can have. Those living in abject poverty
deserve our best shot - may 2005 be the year that many lives are
changed permanently for the better.”
Steve Webb, MP Northavon
“2005 is the ideal opportunity to bring together the world's
richest nations to tackle one of the world's biggest problems -
global poverty. Concerted action is needed on aid, trade and debt,
and the world's leaders need to know that their public demand nothing
less.”
Nick Harvey, MP North Devon
“Make Poverty History could not be timely, but it must be
viewed by all of us as urgent. This really is a last chance for
the developed world to wake up to the terrible suffering in other
countries, and share our unprecedented wealth with them. Even the
most modest changes on our part could go such a long way.”
Brian Cotter, MP Weston-super-Mare
“Having long been concerned about the issue of inequality
in the world, I am delighted to support Make Poverty History. The
very words say it all: this campaign has real credibility. With
this unprecedented and unique collaboration of organisations and
people working together, I believe the voice of the disadvantaged
will be heard.”
Julia Drown, MP Swindon South
“Millions of lives depend on this campaign. 30,000 people
die each day because of poverty. We must create a political climate
in which it is impossible for this tragedy to continue. Our campaign
is backed by the Government and by Dawn French, Kirsty McCall and
Bono. Together we can Make Poverty History.”
Roger Berry, MP Kingswood
“World poverty, which results in 30,000 children dying needlessly
each day, brings shame on us all. I therefore strongly support the
Make Poverty History coalition. The UK government has much to be
proud of, including dramatic increases in aid and debt relief. But
much more still needs to be done.”
Andrew George, MP St Ives
“There is enough wealth in the world for everyone to be free
from want and poverty. We all know what has to be done. But putting
aside self-interest and greed has never been easy for any political
process.”
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MEPs
Glyn Ford, MEP South West
“I am delighted to support Oxfam in their new campaign to
make poverty history. It is important that the West makes a significant
contribution to helping alleviate world poverty rather than leave
the poor to help the poor. The introduction of a capital tax, like
the Tobin tax, would enable basic health, education and clean water
supplies for all those people in the world living in poverty.”
Graham Watson, MEP South West
“The Make History Poverty Campaign offers us a unique opportunity
to raise the profile of poverty and social inequality on political
agendas the world over. With the UK hosting the G8 and EU summits
in the aftermath of the Asian tsunami there is no better time to
work together to deliver greater debt relief and increased prosperity
for developing countries. Poverty and debt ultimately stem from
trade tariffs which only serve to prohibit effective resolution
to the fundamental problems.
I fully share the concerns raised by Make Poverty
History and give my full support to making 2005 a year in which
the international community delivers trade justice, drops the debt
and provides the aid necessary to indeed make poverty history.”
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Celebrities
Kwame Kwei-Armah, star of BBC's Casualty, Celebrity
Fame Academy and a writer for the National Theatre
"I'm passionate about putting fairer trade rules
at the top of the international agenda. That's why I travelled to
Senegal for myself to see how unfair trade laws affect people there,
as well as lobbying the Prime Minister at last year's Labour Party
Conference. If people in a city of the size of Bristol start addressing
the issue of Trade Justice, together we can start to make a real
noise about what's going on in some of the world's poorest countries."
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Academics
Dr. Eric Herring, University of Bristol
“Oxfam is a very effective force for social justice in the
world today. Its ‘Make Poverty History’ campaign is
based on well thought out analysis of trade, debt and aid. Its practical,
effective recommendations can and should be implemented immediately.”
Professor David Gordon, Townsend Centre for International
Poverty, Bristol
“Ending poverty in the twenty-first century would be the most
important achievement in human history.”
Professor Tariq Modood, Centre for the Study of Ethnicity
and Citizenship, University of Bristol
“This is the moment to act to reverse the growing gap between
the world's rich and poor. This is about humanity, justice and a
building of a more cooperative and peaceful world. Joined-up action
on fair trade, debt and aid is the best way forward.”
Professor Geoff Wood, University of Bath
“Well-being is a human right, and we are all shamed when it
is denied. 2005 should be an auspicious year for the UK government
to contribute to poverty eradication with the key G8 and EU levers
to hand. Failure to use them effectively to reduce debt, to remove
unfair protection to rich country producers, and to make globalisation
work for the economically excluded should be punished at the next
General Election. These are also the best strategies for world peace
and security.”
Dr Susan Johnson, University of Bath
“Markets don't work the way dominant economic theory says
they do. Ending poverty means ending the ability of the powerful
to set and manipulate the rules. This campaign demonstrates that
ordinary people around the world know this and want to put it right
- their politicians should take heed and make it a reality.”
Professor Ted Wragg, University of Exeter
“’Helping people help themselves’ is an aspiration
that is not only laudable, but the best way forward in the medium
and long term. I am happy to support this programme, because Oxfam
has a track record of successful and non-patronising action that
works with people, not over the top of them.”
Professor Paul Dunne, University of the West of England
“While increasing acceptance of the need to deal with crippling
developing country debt provides a real opportunity to remove the
scourge of poverty, it is not enough. As the Make Poverty History
campaign emphasises, there are a whole range of causes of global
poverty to be dealt with. Hopefully, this vital and opportune new
initiative will make governments and the public aware of the challenges
and solutions and lead to real policy changes that benefit the world's
poor.”
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Faith Communities
Sheila Jones, Thornbury Jubilee Justice & Debt
Group
“Through our local church’s link with Bufumbo in Eastern
Uganda, I have seen for myself the immense difference debt cancellation
can make, with many more girls in primary school. Governments must
now make poverty history by dropping the debt of all poor countries
so that every child worldwide can get an education.”
Rt Rev Mike Hill, Bishop of Bristol
“On my recent visit to Uganda, I saw for myself the real impact
debt cancellation can have. But I also saw the devastating effects
of unjust trade rules and the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Therefore I fully
endorse the Make Poverty History initiative and we in the Diocese
of Bristol will be doing all we can to support the achievement of
its goals throughout 2005.”
Rt Rev Michael Perham, Bishop of Gloucester
“I am delighted to lend my support to ‘Make Poverty
History’. It's good to recognise the generosity of many people
in our region in providing overseas aid and it's important to recognise
the need for equal trading opportunities for poorer nations, so
that they may be helped to build their futures on a more equal footing
with the countries of the Western world.”
Dr Elizabeth Perry, World Development Representative,
Bath and Wells Diocese
“We live in a world of gross and unnecessary poverty –
where debt is only payable at the cost of human life and where unfair
trade rules and practices keep millions chained in poverty. And
it will stay that way unless we own it as wrong, unless we see things
differently. Just as with the abolition of slavery, change will
only happen through individuals, individuals who make choices to
speak out and act to make poverty history.”
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Campaign Groups
Lorraine Wapling, Action on Disability and Development
(ADD)
“Disability is a development issue. One in five of the world's
poorest people are disabled. It is difficult to ignore growing evidence
linking disability and poverty in a cycle of deprivation. Action
on Disability and Development supports the Make Poverty History
Campaign to help make sure disabled people are not excluded.”
Tony Vassallo, CAFOD South West
“That 30,000 people die unnecessarily every day from extreme
poverty is a scandal. In the 21st century the world has the riches
and the know-how to end the poverty of the majority of its people.
Finally, in 2005, we are doing something about it. There is a unique
chance this year to begin to make poverty history - and it is something
we can all do.”
Sue Smailes, ActionAid South West
“ActionAid entirely endorses the movement to MAKE POVERTY
HISTORY and has been actively engaged in practical work and in campaigning,
both in developing countries and in UK, for many years. We believe
that the related issues of trade justice, debt relief and greater
and more effectively targetted aid must all be addressed to eradicate
the scandal of poverty.”
Miranda Spitteler, Chief Executive, Tree Aid
“This campaign is a vital opportunity to put the needs of
some of the poorest people in the world on the agenda. Trade justice
is especially important to Tree Aid, which is working with local
communities in arid Africa, helping them secure woodland resources
and develop long-term income and achieve fair prices for their tree
products.”
Jo Benefield, Bristol Defend the Asylum Seekers
“Bristol Defend the Asylum Seekers is right behind this campaign.
We believe the first step in making poverty history is for governments
to cancel third world debt now.”
Andy O’Brien, Bristol Jubilee Debt Campaign
“If you thought they'd already dropped the debt, think again
- nearly 90% remains. So join MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY.ORG and get them
to finish the job this time.”
Graham Davey, Campaign Against the Arms Trade Bristol
“The British government spends nearly £1 billion promoting
the export of military equipment. Britain is the world’s second
largest exporter of arms and about three quarters of our sales go
to developing countries. The arms trade is a significant cause of
world poverty.”
Fiona Remnant, Bath Trade Justice Movement
“World poverty is not someone else’s problem, it’s
OUR problem and it’s up to this generation to say enough is
enough – we WILL Make Poverty History!” World leaders
have the power to tackle global poverty, it doesn’t have to
be like this. If enough of us make our voices heard they won’t
be able to ignore us, so stand up and speak out!”
Robert Hodgson, Devon Aid
Devon Aid promotes and supports People to People links between communities
in SW England and remote parts of Africa and South Asia. Our links
provide us with direct evidence from the grass-roots of the global
inequities resulting from poverty and we strongly support the Millennium
Goals and the Make Poverty History campaign in their aims to make
trade fair and just and to create sustainable international aid
programmes in which the world's poorest people can realise their
full potentials in a fair global community.
Julie Millar, Christian Aid, Cornwall and Plymouth
“Poverty is a scandal; people shouldn’t be living in
absolute poverty in the 21st century. It can be changed. By acting
together we can speak out against policies that keep the poor poor.
Like unfair trade and debt. Standing with the poor and outsider
is what Christ did. We can too.”
Meena Singelee, Bristol University International
Affairs Society
”Oxfam's manifesto is forceful, decisive and clear of its
mission. The International Affairs Society at Bristol University
is proud to be part of such a commitment aimed at bridging the inequality
gap.”
David Speirs, Bristol University People and Planet
“People and Planet are proud to support the Make Poverty History
initiative. We believe that this campaign can make 2005 a milestone
year in combating world poverty and social injustice. We cannot
underestimate the power of our voices in influencing world governments
to meet this challenge.”
Kieran Battles, Oxfam Swindon
“We should Make Poverty History because we can Make Poverty
History. This year is my chance to play a part in changing all this,
so when I turn on my TV I don’t have to watch children starving
when I know they don’t have to. This is my chance and whether
you care or not, it’s your chance too.”
Vanessa Ashton, WaterAid South West
“We can all make our mark in history and on the world this
year. What a wonderful opportunity! Everything we do to help alleviate
poverty will make a difference no matter how small. No longer can
anybody say 'what difference will my contribution make?’ It's
proved. It does make a difference and that means we are all very
powerful and all very important. Please help everyone in the world
feel that their life matters and that they are just as important.
Please help to prove we care, as I know we do. Meanwhile, WaterAid
continues to work with the poorest communities to bring lasting
and sustainable solutions to their lack of access to clean water
and safe sanitation...the most basic requirements for all human
beings.”
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Community Groups
Jill Denham, Centre for Global and Development Education,
Somerset
“Collectively, we must encourage our world leaders to end
unfair trade rules and the exploitation of millions of people in
the South. The Millennium Development Goals are not just high ideals
but about basic human rights and our duty to ensure that they are
met.”
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Public Figures
Michael Eavis, Glastonbury Festival Organiser
“It is very encouraging to see Gordon Brown leading the way
to make poverty history in Africa. We all know what has to be done
to change the lives of so many poor people around the world. Glastonbury
Festival will this year send a powerful message to the members of
the G8 meeting for the June summit.
The 150,000 people at this festival represent the number of people
who died in the tsunami, and the number of kids who die in the world
every five weeks. Our Government now holds the presidency of the
EU and the G8 and has the opportunity to lead the way, and clear
this terrible blot from our so-called “civilised” society.
A stunning display will be staged at our festival to emphasise the
urgent, terrible and frightening need to make poverty history –
and to start now.”
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Trade Unions
Nigel Costley, Regional Secretary, South West TUC
“As trade unions, we are committed to securing better pay
for workers everywhere, whether that's here in the South West, or
further afield in the developing world, where the levels of poverty
are unacceptable.”
Jon Gray, Senior Regional Office, UNISON South West
“As the region's largest trade union, we're fully behind this
campaign. We do a lot of international work and we know how bad
the situation is overseas. We hope the government will rise to the
challenge and make 2005 the year poverty becomes history.”
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