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	Click on the logo above to visit the ASU's MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY campaign page

STAND UP and SPEAK OUT against poverty with the ASU on October 17

By the ASU - a union partner in international solidarity

This year the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is October 17, 2007, and the ASU will be participating by hosting a Stand Up and Speak Out Against Poverty event at the ASU Office in Melbourne. These events will be going on all over the globe in an attempt to break last year's 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 long term and active supporter of the MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY campaign not only because poverty is a situation no one should have to endure but also because we know that 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.

Consequently, the ASU is once again hosting a Stand Up and Speak Out Against Poverty event this year, joining millions of people around the world doing the same.

All are welcome, so feel free to rock up if you are in the area when we raise our voices against poverty.

STAND UP where: ASU Melbourne Office Centre, Corner Cardigan & Queensberry Streets, Carlton South, Victoria

STAND UP when: Wednesday, October 17 at 10am

If you intend to participate with a delegation, please RSVP approximate numbers to bmarasco@asu.asn.au but otherwise just show up and you will be welcome!

What is STAND UP and SPEAK OUT?

Last year, 91,987 Australians joined more than 23 million people in 87 countries in the STAND UP campaign. It was the largest single coordinated mobilization in the history of the Guinness World Records.

In 2007, we are at half time to achieving the target set by world leaders in 2000 who signed up to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), a global plan to halve extreme poverty by 2015. But the world is falling behind.

This year, you can join this growing movement of people calling on our leaders to take action now, to ensure the world meets the 2015 targets.

STAND UP to bring poverty down
STAND UP and SPEAK OUT for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals
STAND UP and SPEAK OUT to demand that governments keep their promises
SPEAK OUT and be heard
STAND UP and be counted!

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

The ASU event is officially listed on the Stand Up website here: http://www.standagainstpoverty.org/en/node/14059

A selection of STAND UP events around Australia can be found here: http://www.standagainstpoverty.org/events/au

If you want to host a STAND UP event at your workplace, school or church, guides are available here: http://www.makepovertyhistory.com.au/standup.aspx or here: http://www.standagainstpoverty.org/en/create-an-event

You can download the international flyer about STAND UP and SPEAK OUT below.

GCAP (Global Call to Action against Poverty)

The ASU is also connected to the MPH and STAND UP campaigns through GCAP (Global Call to Action against Poverty) coalition of which Public Services International (PSI) http://www.world-psi.org/ is a member. It was through the PSI's request that the ASU, an affiliate of PSI, first became involved in the campaign to eradicate poverty. More information on the GCAP perspective can be found here: http://www.whiteband.org/

GCAP has outlined a number of activities planned for October 17 which you can read about here: http://www.whiteband.org/GcapSpecials/anti-poverty-day/

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