[ssf] make poverty history

[Alice Collins]

Hi Alice

It was good to see you again at the Democracy Cafe today.   As promised,
here is a condensed version of the press releases for the two events (one
lunchtime and one evening, on the same day, organised by the student group
People and Planet) for the Sheffield launch of the 2005 campaign "Make
Poverty History".

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DATE IS NOW WED. 16th FEB., and not Mon. 14th or any
of the other alternative dates originally considered a while back.

Please circulate these details to as many Sheffield Social Forum contacts
as possible, and any others you know who might be interested.  I'm copying
this to Kat Cousins of P&P and to Steve Chapman, Chair of the Sheffield
Make Poverty History committee, so that they knows what's going on
publicity-wise.

Best wishes,

Oliver




1. 1.00PM: SINGING STUNT: OUTSIDE SHEFFIELD UNIVERSITY UNION

"Change the world - make poverty history in 2005!". These are the lyrics
and the
message that students will be singing at 1pm on February 16th, outside the
Sheffield University Union.

They will be performing their own version of the recent Band Aid single as part
of the Sheffield launch of the worldwide Make Poverty History campaign for
2005.

The stunt aims to raise awareness of the campaign and the students have changed
the lyrics to encourage people to get involved. The enthusiastic group hopes to
attract a large number of singers, many in fancy dress.

They hope the audience will enjoy their jazzed up version and want people to
take home the message to get involved, either through the website at
www.makepovertyhistory.org or by joining in locally.

The event has been organised by students in the campaign group People & Planet
but will also involve students from many other societies.

Those interested in finding out more can contact
sheffieldmakepovertyhistory at hotmail.co.uk or telephone 0114 2687817



2. 7.30PM: MAIN LAUNCH: SHEFFIELD UNIVERSITY ARTS TOWER

The Sheffield launch of the worldwide "MAKE POVERTY HISTORY" campaign takes
place on February 16th at 7.30pm in the Arts Tower of Sheffield
University. Three invited speakers will present the key world poverty issues of
Trade Justice, increased Aid and Debt Cancellation.  This will be a great
chance
to share ideas, meet other people involved in this year's campaign and discuss
the many events happening locally and nationally. For more details, contact:
0114 2687817.

Many people will now be aware of Make Poverty History through the Vicar of
Dibley's New Year's Day special or by noticing supporters wearing the
campaign's white bands.

In 2000, the governments of the world promised to half world poverty by 2015.
The 2005 campaign aims to persuade the UK government to honour its promise by
changing policies which are harmful to those in poverty and by putting pressure
on other governments to do the same. With five out of the fifteen years already
gone, serious action is needed now more than ever.

People and Planet spokesperson Kathryn/Kat Cousins said: "We all have a unique
chance this year to make a difference since, by sheer coincidence, it is
Britain's turn to lead two of the most powerful international organisations -
as Chair of the "G8" group of richest nations and as President of the European
Union".

The Sheffield group is encouraging residents to get involved in any way they
can, whether by registering at the website www.makepovertyhistory.org or by
getting involved more actively in some of the events taking place over the
coming months. By coming to the the launch, people can get a better
understanding of the issues and how they can help.

"2005 is a year of great opportunity. If everyone who wants to see an end to
poverty, hunger and suffering speaks out, then the noise will be deafening.
Politicians will have to listen":  South Africa's world-respected Archbishop
Desmond Tutu.

"2005 is our chance to go down in history for what we did do, rather than what
we didn't do": Bono, lead singer from U2.

For more information, the group can be contacted at
sheffieldmakepovertyhistory at hotmail.co.uk or telephone: 0114 2687817



NOTES:

P&P contact: Kathryn Cousins, email fra03kec at sheffield.ac.uk

Groups involved in the Sheffield campaign include CAFOD, Christian Aid,
People & Planet, World Development Movement, Sheffield Campaign against the
Arms Trade,
Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, Greenpeace, Society of
Friends and Oxfam.

MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY brings together a wide cross-section of over 150 charities,
campaigns, trade unions, faith groups and celebrities who are united by a
common belief that 2005 offers an unprecedented opportunity for global change.

For more details see www.makepovertyhistory.org




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