GCAP

From 16-18 October, South Africans will join millions of people across the globe in the “Stand Up, Take Action, End Poverty Now!” Campaign as they call on world leaders to eradicate extreme poverty and achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Last year almost 117 million people participated in this annual campaign, the majority from poor countries, breaking the Guinness World Record for the largest mobilisation of human beings in recorded history.

On the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty - 17 October - citizens from all over South Africa will stand together and call for an urgent action and a more just world. “We believe that standing together is the best way of ensuring our leaders hear us. We expect people here to Stand Up for whatever issue is closest to their reality - that could be maternal mortality, climate change, a more prudent global financial system management, additional resources or access to education and social services for all in South Africa. This is the most grassroots mobilisation anyone can be part of so it is vital we show we are serious,” says Rajesh Latchman, Convenor of the Global Call to Action Against Poverty alliance in South Africa and National Welfare Forum.

Where and How will South Africa Stand Up and Take Action?

An estimated two million people will get involved in Stand Up through a range of events in school classrooms, at sporting activities, in places of worship and at cultural events. All these actions will go towards a new global Guinness World Record. People can participate by sending an email to standupsa@gmail.com, registering a planned action (such as a prayer against poverty, singing a song, drawing pictures, attending a Stand Up event, or even standing up in at home ) or visiting www.standagainstpoverty.org.

This year, for the first time, people can participate by sending an SMS to the Stand Up SMS number (TBA) which will be available on the website www.mzansi.org.za or become a fan of Stand Up on Facebook.

You can join a Stand Up event by checking out the website www.standagainstpoverty.org/map or setting up your event with friends, colleagues, classmates or community members.

Stand Up Events

• Housemates in Big Brother Africa will Stand Up on 17 October at 10:00 am.
• Children from schools across KwaZulu Natal and Western Cape will Stand Up with the support of ChildCare SA, Help2read, the Department of Education and Art of Living.
• Bishop Paul Verryn of the Central Methodist Church will be hosting a prayer service for Stand Up on Sunday 18 October.
• The Economic Justice Network (EJN) and partner organizations are marching on parliament for the right to food security on Sunday 18 October.
• The Currie Cup semi final in Durban is hosting Stand Up.
• The National Welfare Forum (NWF) will host two Anti Poverty Strategy workshops in Limpopo and Gauteng.
• During the three days of the campaign, Virgin Active Midrand will invite everyone to Stand Up.
• On World Food Day,16 October 2009, a campaign to call for an end to hunger and poverty will take place in the Northern Cape.
• In Durban, churches and NGOs will get together and prepare food and hampers for poor communities.
• As part of the SANGONet 2009 Social Media for NGOs Conference taking place in Newtown, participants will Stand Up on 16 October.

For more information on Stand Up 2009:
Tel: 011 403 1915 Fax: 011 403 1879
Cell: Karen 083 392 2388 Watson 072 620 0801 Thato 082 776 6064
Email: standupsa@gmail.com
URL: www.mzansi.org.za and globally www.standagainstpoverty.org
YouTube: www.youtube.com/bettermzansi
Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/42017608@N05/