| What is Stand Up Speak Out? |
STAND UP and SPEAK OUT is a worldwide call to take action against poverty and for the Millennium Development Goals. On October 16th and 17th people will literally and symbolically Stand Up and Speak Out demanding their governments keep their promises to end extreme poverty and meet and exceed the Millennium Development Goals. Last year, more than 23 million people took part and set a new Guinness World Record. This year, we want you to help break this record so the message rings even louder. Every person counts! Why Stand Up and Speak Out? |
In 2008, leaders of 189 countries signed up to the Millennium Development Goals, a global plan to halve extreme poverty by 2015. Yes, every day, 50,000 people die as a result of extreme povery and the gap between rich and poor is getting wider.
We need you STAND UP and SPEAK OUT to make governments honour their commitments - it will not happen without all of us taking a stand. STAND UP and SPEAK OUT is a joint initiative of the United Nationsl Millennium Campaign and the Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP).
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| What Can You and Your Church Do? |
HOLD A MICAH SUNDAY EVENT
Sunday, October 14th is Micah Sunday. Include a special message in your church service about poverty and justice and encourage your congregation to take part in the Stand Up and Speak Out events. (See links to materials on the left side of this page) ARRANGE A STAND UP EVENT IN YOUR COMMUNITY
Plan your own event (such as a music concert or special Bible study) or insert a STAND UP and SPEAK OUT moment into an existing event (a school or university class or assembly, a weekday church service, a sports event, a workplace environment). Choose an event leader who can host the STAND UP and SPEAK OUT action. Let everyone know about the event by using email, letters, flyers and posters. Where appropriate inform local media that the event is taking place. ON THE DAY: HOW TO 'STAND UP AND SPEAK OUT'
1. Plan the event so the STAND UP and SPEAK OUT moment takes place at the best possible time;
2. The event leader gives a brief explanation of what STAND UP and SPEAK OUT is all about - a chance to join a growing number of people demanding an end to poverty - and being part of a world record in the process;
3. Everyone is then asked to come together and sit or kneel down (people with disabilities can be counted by their presence at an event or by performing any appropriate symbolic action);
4. The crowd then STAND UP in unison and SPEAK OUT against poverty and for the MDGs. ONce they have stood up the crowds can be asked to perform an appropriate symbolic action such as reading a pledge, praying out loud, singing a song, waving flags, etc;
5. A core STAND UP pledge is available for download at www.standagainstpovery.org. It can be adapted or replaced entirely to include a message relevant to your church or community;
6. Ask the group to record this STAND UP and SPEAK OUT moment on digital cameras, mobile phones or video recorders and upload them at www.standagainstpoverty.org;
7. The last but crucial step is to count or estimate as accurately as possible the number of people taking part in your event and report these to the organizers. These figures will be added to the total record-breaking numbers. HOW TO BE COUNTED AND WHY?
For this mobilization to have real impact we need to be able to tell our leaders and the world that millions stood up to demand poverty eradication and that the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals are a political priority. Event organizers need to take responsibility for pre-registering their events and after completing the action recording their final STAND UP and SPEAK OUT numbers online at www.standagainstpoverty.org/events/create. For those not able to access the web, you can fax your number submissions to Micah Challenge Canada at (613) 233-0301. ** All actions must take place within 24 hours between 9pm GMT on October 16th to 9pm GMT on October 17th to count towards breaking the Guiness World Record set last year ** |