Now is the time to Think and act seriously for World Problems
Irfan Mufti, Global Call to Action against Poverty ( GCAP ) Campaign Manager

Two weeks ago, the world witnessed an unprecedented level of global mobilisation from October 17-19. In more than 130 countries of the world more than 116.9 million peoples (nearly 2% of the world’s population) expressed their concerns on the situation of world poverty and other forms of inequalities and injustices. This global scale of mobilisation involved children, women, people in the mosques, churches, temples, schools, factories, work places, homes, community centres, government buildings and of all ages, different colours and creeds demanded their leaders, policy makers and decision-makers ‘show your resolve against poverty, in-equality and fulfil your promises on Millennium development goals (MDGs). The campaign invited people all across the world to Stand-Up and act against poverty and inequality. The mobilisation took place on the call of Global Call to Action against Poverty ( GCAP ), UN Millennium Campaign and thousands of other leading civil society and people interest groups and movements all across the world. The number of people participated in this call this year have increased phenomenally from 23.4 million in 2006, 43.7 million in 2007 and this year 116.9 million. This is not just the increase in number but scope and intensity of voices and actions. The world has never seen such an enormous scale of solidarity and protest on any social issue facing humanity

This global expression of civil society points out to the fact that there is a growing discontent in the world now on the policies and practices that are not serving people, not changing the conditions for the majority and crises are deepening. In most of these public events people showed their dismay on the way the current food crisis is dealt by governments and world leaders. The commitments made in the FAO summit Rome are not yet been honoured as their promises of increase in quality and quantity of aid in the MDGs have not been fulfilled. The people challenged the way the leaders addressed the present financial crisis on the cost of those resources that would have addressed most of the problems of the people living in abject poverty. Concerns on climate disorder, lack of commitments towards sustainable development and poverty eradications and extremely disappointing performance on MDGs were the issues caught the attention in the centre stage.

The growing movement of this magnitude also symbolize that the people are ready to speak and act on prevailing injustices and inequalities. They do not agree with the game its rules and mindset of its players. They want complete reform in the overall thinking in which the world problems and challenges should be reviewed and redefined. These voices demand that without radically changing the framework in which world development should be carried out, without brining needs of the majority of people of the world in the centre stage of planning and resource allocation the world problems cannot be changed.

In thousands of petitions, memorandums and protests rallies people clearly demanded from their governments to alter the budgets and give poverty eradication a priority. Formulate pro poor policies and plans that should address the social development issues in more sustainable manner.

The fact that people demanded their governments to act responsibly and deal with the challenges with clear and focused policies is because they think the governments can and should deliver. They have the mandate, resources and technology that can address these problems. May be what is lacking is a political will and that should be shown now before these problems becomes unmanageable.

These millions of people also took actions that demonstrate their resolve and commitment in eradicating the causes and effects of poverty, climate chaos and all other significant problems.  In coming months these actions will grow, will convert into meaningful activities for dealing with these problems involving several other people into this movement. The world needs collective human actions and resolves to deal with these issues that are already causing human sufferings, damages to the civilization. We show that we not only care but have the determination to resolve them.

In solidarity,

Irfan Mufti

ENDS

The Global Call to Action against Poverty ( GCAP ) is the world's biggest anti-poverty alliance. For more information, visit www.whiteband.org.

For details of all Stand Up events that took place across Asia, go to www.gcap-senca.net

For more information contact:

Lani C. Villanueva
Communications Officer, GCAP -Southeast North and Central Asia Secretariat
Tel. Nos. (632) 383 38 02 / (632) 799 27 51 / Email: villanueva.lani@gmail.com

Ends

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