General

	Click on the poster to RSVP

ASU STANDS UP against poverty on October 16

During Anti-Poverty Week that runs from October 15-21 this year, the ASU will be showing support by hosting a local STAND UP against poverty event in front of our National Office on Monday, October 16. These events will be going on all over the globe in an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the most people to stand up for a cause. Come join us or get involved in an activity near you.

The ASU is a supporter of the MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY organisation not only because poverty is a situation no one should have to endure but also because poverty in one part of the world affects everyone eventually.

It is important that we let our politicians know that Australians' idea of a fair go does extend beyond our own shores.

ASU National Secretary, Paul Slape said, "As a trade union, our bread and butter activities are looking after workers' rights, but we know that substandard living conditions in other parts of the world can and do have an effect on the wages and conditions of workers in Australia.

"We support organisations working for the eradication of poverty in all parts of the world, so we hope that in doing our bit by standing up on October 16, more people will become aware of and active in seeking the solutions that are out there.

"Our governments cannot continue to ignore the dire conditions that our fellow human beings live under and gloss over devastating figures reported by aid organisations, figures like 800 million people going hungry every day!" Mr Slape said.

If you wish to join in the ASU STAND UP event in Melbourne, full details are in the flyer you can download below. Please RSVP to bmarasco@asu.asn.au

What is STAND UP?

STAND UP is a global event to show world leaders that it's time for them to take a stand against poverty.

STAND UP will raise awareness of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), an eight point plan to halve global poverty, and publicly demonstrate the growing global support to Make Poverty History.

STAND UP will send a strong message about ending poverty to the leaders of the world economy, the G-20, who are meeting in Melbourne in November 2006.

STAND UP coincides with global activities around the International Day of Poverty Eradication. The Make Poverty History coalition is coordinating the event in Australian businesses, schools and churches and internationally it is coordinated by the UN Millennium Campaign.

STAND UP aims to break the official Guinness World Record for the most number of people ever to STAND UP for a cause - be part of it.

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

In summary, the MDGs are:

1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
2. Achieve universal primary education
3. Promote gender equality and empower women
4. Reduce child mortality by two thirds for children under five
5. Improve maternal health
6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
7. Ensure environmental sustainability
8. Develop a global partnership for development

To find out more details about the MDGs, visit the Oxfam website at: http://www.oxfam.org.au/campaigns/mtf/povertyhistory/goals.html

More information

A selection of STAND UP events around Australia can be found here: http://www.makepovertyhistory.com.au/standUpEvent.html

If you want to host a STAND UP event at your workplace, school or church, guides are available here: http://www.makepovertyhistory.com.au/events.html

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