The verdict
2005 was the year of Make Poverty History, as the UK public got behind an anti-poverty campaign like never before, challenging our government to use its influence to cancel debt, increase aid and bring about trade justice. Now that 2005 is all said and done, we have to ask - was more said than was done?
Tearfund students at the G8 rally in Edinburgh
Make Poverty History was a landmark campaign, demonstrating that our voices can make a difference. Despite the failure of our government to meet the asks of Make Poverty History in full, the political decisions that were taken during the year were undoubtedly influenced by the passionate commitment of campaigners.
It was the year of unprecedented opportunity, as the UK had the unique international role of being both Chair of the G8 and President of the EU, giving our government significant input into global decision-making. There was also the small matter of the World Trade Organisation summit and a review of the Millennium Development Goals.
In January 2005 Make Poverty History was launched to challenge the UK government to lead national and international policy changes that would improve conditions for billions of the world’s poor.
Across the world, the masses rose in support, with 31 million people from 84 national coalitions around the world uniting to call for change. In the UK 25,000 of you campaigned through the night at the trade justice vigil in Westminster, an incredible 225,000 of you marched in Edinburgh ahead of the G8, and 97,000 Tearfund supporters sent postcards to the Prime Minister to show their support for the campaign. If you were among those who took action, thank you. As Helen Keller said ‘The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of tiny pushes of each honest worker’.
Students spell out Make Poverty History at student.evolution.
So Make Poverty History had undeniable success in raising awareness and support, but what was its impact on the political decisions made?
Aid
More aid has been promised by the rich countries, so that by 2010 there should be $48 billion more aid each year than there is now. Steps have also been taken to help ensure aid is being used effectively, with donors agreeing to be monitored on targets. However we must campaign to ensure these promises are carried out and to seek further aid. Current levels are far from what is needed to halve global poverty.
Click here to play our water game, designed to highlight problems with EU aid to water and sanitation.
Debt
Rich countries agreed that, in principle, some poor countries’ multilateral debts (money owed to big lenders such as the World Bank) should be cancelled. The deal agreed at the G8, worth approximately $1 billion per year for the 18 countries that qualify, is a good start, but there is much more to do. The G8 also counted debt relief as aid, a situation that must change if debt relief is to be meaningful. If developing countries are to reach the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals, there needs to be a minimum of $10 billion debt cancellation per year.
Trade
Youthnet member William Wilson (17) and friend Holly Dunbar (15) before meeting their MP at the Trade Justice Mass Lobby
One clear success was with regard to HIV/AIDS, with the G8’s commitment to ‘as close as possible to universal access to treatment by 2010’. Pressure is needed to ensure that these promises are kept.
As we move into 2006 we join with millions around the world seeking to build on the successes. By signing up to one of our publications – Uncovered for students, Activist for young people and Network for youth leaders – you can stay inspired and informed. Our focus will be on the vital issues of trade and climate change as well as on our ongoing Lift the Label campaign, now looking at finance.
To download a PDF explaining in more depth the outcomes of Make Poverty History please click here.