Hi,
I just signed an urgent global petition to urge Berlusconi, Sarkozy and Harper to keep their promises to the poor.
It is vital that we do not let these leaders undermine the world's anti-poverty efforts. On Thursday, UN poverty expert Jeff Sachs will deliver our global call to the United Nations General Assembly. I thought that you might want to join me in taking action -- read the following email to learn more and click the links to join the call!
http://www.avaaz.org/en/poverty_promise_breakers/98.php/?cl_tf_sign=1
Thanks
--------------------------
Dear friends,
World leaders gather this Thursday at the United Nations to renew the fight against extreme poverty. But three countries -- France, Canada, and Italy -- are threatening to undermine the world's anti poverty efforts, by slashing their development aid budgets and breaking their international promises.
Sarkozy, Harper, and Berlusconi promised to contribute 0.7 of their national income to fighting poverty -- aid money that would save millions of lives, and still leave these donor countries with 99.3 of their money. But apparently, they think 99.3 is not enough.
Our best chance to keep these rich countries to their word on aid delivery is to raise the alarm in New York this week. Sign our petition now, spread it to friends and family -- and our friend, world famous economist and top UN official on poverty, Jeffrey Sachs will deliver it in speeches to the assembled heads of state at the UN summit this Thursday. The more names on the petition, the stronger the message that promises on poverty must be kept. Click below to sign now:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/poverty_promise_breakers
We know that public outcries like this one can work -- because massive people-powered movements have transformed the fight against poverty over the last decade. The Jubilee movement cancelled hundreds of billions in dictator debt in 2000, and pushed world leaders to adopt the Millennium Development Goals to cut world poverty in half by 2015. In 2005, poverty campaigners the world over won commitments from G8 leaders to double aid to Africa. Because of these efforts millions of poverty related deaths have been stopped and millions more children are attending school, sleeping under anti-Malaria bed nets, and drinking clean water. Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden have all exceeded the 0.7 target and in this year aid rose in real terms in nine EU countries. If all countries stick to their promises, programmes fighting disease and alleviating extreme poverty could be scaled up across the world.
But this year, some rich-country leaders apparently think that the public no longer cares about poverty. In Canada, which kept 99.7 of its income last year, Stephen Harper seems more interested in winning his election than in upholding Canada's tradition of moral leadership. France's Sarkozy, for all of his diplomatic efforts, appears to think that his people don't care about lives and deaths beyond his borders. And in Italy -- already one of the stingiest donors in the world -- Berlusconi appears happy to slash crucial funding, even though, as host of next year's G8 summit, his actions set an example for the other richest countries.
French and Italian Avaaz members are already flooding their governments with thousands of messages about aid. But those of us in the rest of the world can play a crucial role as well--sending Harper, Sarkozy, and Berlusconi a clear signal that we expect them to keep to their word -- so please help us raise an outcry that can't be ignored at the UN summit:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/poverty_promise_breakers
In recent years, millions have been galvanized by a vision: that ours can be the generation that ends extreme poverty. With other crises vying for our attention, the strength of this vision is now being tested. Let's join together and ensure that leaders keep their promises -- so that the promise of human potential in even the poorest communities can be unleashed.
With hope,
Ben, Alice, Ricken, Graziela, Paul, Milena, Iain, Veronique, Brett -- the entire Avaaz team
PS: For a report on Avaaz's campaigning so far, see: https://secure.avaaz.org/en/report_back_2
Sources:
Fact sheet on Official Development Assistance from rich countries:
http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/27/55/40381862.pdf
More on the Millennium Development Goals:
http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/
Bono and Jeffrey Sachs' blog on the poverty debate this week in New York:
http://blogs.ft.com/mdg/
To learn more about the international campaigning that has moved governments in recent years, see:
http://www.whiteband.org and http://www.inmyname.com/ and http://www.one.org/international/
More on concern about France's meeting 0.7 targets see:
http://www.oecd.org/document/45/0,,en_2649_201185_40948205_1_1_1_1,00
More on Canada's backtracking on 0.7 commitment:
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=9c489487-aab9-477c-babf-5d109566df2f&p=2
To see the 2008 report on governmental aid to Africa see:
http://www.one.org/report/en/press.html
To learn about Jeffrey Sachs' work on UN Millennium Development Goals see:
http://www.unmillenniumproject.org
To see examples of how aid is working see:
http://www.millenniumpromise.org and http://www.mdgmonitor.org/factsheets.cfm
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OPENTRACK
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Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Thursday, August 23, 2007
June 13, 2007
12:22:41 PM
Up With People is over. I am “home”. Its funny how everywhere else can be home except where you are. On the 12th when I flew into Halifax, my mom and sisters were there waiting for me. They had been waiting all night on account of the fact that they had never received the message that dad had sent them after I had called him. They ended up sleeping the night in the van in the parking lot. Fortunately they were still somewhat delighted to see me in the morning. Yay. We drove home for a few short hours before mom and I drove to the campground where Miranda was working. It was awesome that her and her mom were there waiting for us. They had banners and balloons and a huge supper. It was so good to finally be back with Miranda again. I’m sure that not to many other people could do something like that long distance. I spent the next week there with her and her mom just winding down after a long bit of travel.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
1:32:13 PM
Well, its been a crazy summer to say the least. Miranda and I spent the bulk of the summer working at various jobs around the valley. These included thinning apple trees, counting apple blossoms, sanding, painting, doing grout work in bathrooms, as well as picking strawberries, beans, blueberries, and raspberries. Not to say it was all work of course. We did manage to make it down to Halifax for a day, take in the Canada day fireworks, attend my sisters graduation, take a trip to New Brunswick for my friend Tim’s wedding, and visit the zoo and do some BBQ’ing. At the moment we’ve done our first roadtrip, traveling over 1500km from my place to hers in my dad’s old Ford Ranger. This doesn’t include the nearly 7hr ferry ride to Newfoundland from the mainland.
Its been “stressful” staying with my folks over the summer to say the least. Ah well, things are much better now up here in Newfoundland with her folks. Next week we are driving back down to Corner Brook to move the rest of our stuff into our apartment.
12:22:41 PM
Up With People is over. I am “home”. Its funny how everywhere else can be home except where you are. On the 12th when I flew into Halifax, my mom and sisters were there waiting for me. They had been waiting all night on account of the fact that they had never received the message that dad had sent them after I had called him. They ended up sleeping the night in the van in the parking lot. Fortunately they were still somewhat delighted to see me in the morning. Yay. We drove home for a few short hours before mom and I drove to the campground where Miranda was working. It was awesome that her and her mom were there waiting for us. They had banners and balloons and a huge supper. It was so good to finally be back with Miranda again. I’m sure that not to many other people could do something like that long distance. I spent the next week there with her and her mom just winding down after a long bit of travel.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
1:32:13 PM
Well, its been a crazy summer to say the least. Miranda and I spent the bulk of the summer working at various jobs around the valley. These included thinning apple trees, counting apple blossoms, sanding, painting, doing grout work in bathrooms, as well as picking strawberries, beans, blueberries, and raspberries. Not to say it was all work of course. We did manage to make it down to Halifax for a day, take in the Canada day fireworks, attend my sisters graduation, take a trip to New Brunswick for my friend Tim’s wedding, and visit the zoo and do some BBQ’ing. At the moment we’ve done our first roadtrip, traveling over 1500km from my place to hers in my dad’s old Ford Ranger. This doesn’t include the nearly 7hr ferry ride to Newfoundland from the mainland.
Its been “stressful” staying with my folks over the summer to say the least. Ah well, things are much better now up here in Newfoundland with her folks. Next week we are driving back down to Corner Brook to move the rest of our stuff into our apartment.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
3:09:11 AM (Bangkok Time)
Well, flying into L.A. Just around 1o AM local time, I could see the San Francisco bay bridge through the morning fog below us. It was quite the site and quite the feeling to be back in North America again. This feeling was soon over as we were shunted into long maze like lines; first to clear US customs, then the US agriculture service. I have nothing good to say about that aside from the people were nice. I told them I had a 12:15 connection, but they still insisted instead of going through every last inch, every last corner of my luggage. They even spent some time searching through my laptop looking for possible child pornography. I guess I just look like a drug dealing pedophile or something like that. Anyhows, long story short, I ended up missing my connection; which completely sucks because it changes all the plans now. I’m on a flight to Montreal now, unfortunately they booked me on a connection an hour before we get there. Ah well, I have high hopes that my bags are on the same plane as me. I’m quite fortunate to be on the flight that I am on. They rebooked me knowing that this flight was already overbooked, luckily at the last minute, someone didn’t show up and I ended up getting on. Thailand seems so far behind now. Its amazing that in this short period of time alone, I’ve seen Bangkok, visited Tokyo for the first time, eaten a McDonalds Teriyaki burger, seen the largest Zen garden I’ve ever seen, arrived to the most world renowned state, California, and am now heading for Montreal, the place I’ve been to on class trips as the farthest we’ve ever gotten before at that time. I hope to arrive to Halifax sometime shortly after when I had meant to originally. When I get to Montreal, I’ve got to find my bag, check it in, go through Canada Customs, and rebook my connection to Halifax. I can only hope that it won’t be too long of a stopover. If It is for any length of time, I can maybe sneak my first Tim Hortons Double Double. If not, otherwise, we’ll wait till I’m back home again with my mom and sisters. It will be all good. I’m also lucky that this plane has A/C power outlets, a first from my experience. I can’t complain.
June 12, 2007 12:53 AM
Well, as it turns out, my connection to Halifax isn’t until 8AM tomorrow morning, so now I just get to chill here in Quebec for a while. I suppose I could could go out on the town, but I’m so tired I guess I’ll just stay here and do some stuff online.
3:09:11 AM (Bangkok Time)
Well, flying into L.A. Just around 1o AM local time, I could see the San Francisco bay bridge through the morning fog below us. It was quite the site and quite the feeling to be back in North America again. This feeling was soon over as we were shunted into long maze like lines; first to clear US customs, then the US agriculture service. I have nothing good to say about that aside from the people were nice. I told them I had a 12:15 connection, but they still insisted instead of going through every last inch, every last corner of my luggage. They even spent some time searching through my laptop looking for possible child pornography. I guess I just look like a drug dealing pedophile or something like that. Anyhows, long story short, I ended up missing my connection; which completely sucks because it changes all the plans now. I’m on a flight to Montreal now, unfortunately they booked me on a connection an hour before we get there. Ah well, I have high hopes that my bags are on the same plane as me. I’m quite fortunate to be on the flight that I am on. They rebooked me knowing that this flight was already overbooked, luckily at the last minute, someone didn’t show up and I ended up getting on. Thailand seems so far behind now. Its amazing that in this short period of time alone, I’ve seen Bangkok, visited Tokyo for the first time, eaten a McDonalds Teriyaki burger, seen the largest Zen garden I’ve ever seen, arrived to the most world renowned state, California, and am now heading for Montreal, the place I’ve been to on class trips as the farthest we’ve ever gotten before at that time. I hope to arrive to Halifax sometime shortly after when I had meant to originally. When I get to Montreal, I’ve got to find my bag, check it in, go through Canada Customs, and rebook my connection to Halifax. I can only hope that it won’t be too long of a stopover. If It is for any length of time, I can maybe sneak my first Tim Hortons Double Double. If not, otherwise, we’ll wait till I’m back home again with my mom and sisters. It will be all good. I’m also lucky that this plane has A/C power outlets, a first from my experience. I can’t complain.
June 12, 2007 12:53 AM
Well, as it turns out, my connection to Halifax isn’t until 8AM tomorrow morning, so now I just get to chill here in Quebec for a while. I suppose I could could go out on the town, but I’m so tired I guess I’ll just stay here and do some stuff online.
Monday, June 11, 2007
June 11, 2007 6:00 PM (Bangkok Time)
Right now we’re somewhere over the pacific, nearing the international date line at an altitude of 37,000 feet. The air has been turbulent ever since we left Tokyo and slipped into the false darkness of this strange night. We left on time from bangkok to Tokyo early this morning. The flight was still several hours. I sat (as I am right now still on this plane) with Vero[nica], who was the dance captain, and Charlotte, from Belgium. While in Tokyo, there were very few places to eat, so I exchanged my remaining Thai Baht currency for some Canadian cash and some Japanese Yen. I headed to McDonalds and had The Teriyaki burger. It was really good and much needed. Between that and the largest zen garden, I think I was able to get a small brief taste of Japan. I think I’ll write some more after I get some sleep; man, that Cognac works fast. (and is very reminiscent of my flight to Denver so long ago.
June 11, 2007 6:00 PM (Bangkok Time)
Right now we’re somewhere over the pacific, nearing the international date line at an altitude of 37,000 feet. The air has been turbulent ever since we left Tokyo and slipped into the false darkness of this strange night. We left on time from bangkok to Tokyo early this morning. The flight was still several hours. I sat (as I am right now still on this plane) with Vero[nica], who was the dance captain, and Charlotte, from Belgium. While in Tokyo, there were very few places to eat, so I exchanged my remaining Thai Baht currency for some Canadian cash and some Japanese Yen. I headed to McDonalds and had The Teriyaki burger. It was really good and much needed. Between that and the largest zen garden, I think I was able to get a small brief taste of Japan. I think I’ll write some more after I get some sleep; man, that Cognac works fast. (and is very reminiscent of my flight to Denver so long ago.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Somewhere over the pacific (5:36pm Bangkok time)
Today was Greg’s birthday and I was the first one to wish him happy birthday as we woke up late, a bit sore from the show still. Our Host family had prepared breakfast for us and we all sang happy birthday and ate breakfast our on the front patio. Their neighbours were moving so they were over for a visit; and just in time too. We had some Swensons ice cream cake. They gave him a tshirt and a wooden frog. (later I got one too). I finished packing and although my bag was substantially overweight, I went with it anyway. We said our thanks and goodbyes and our host dad drove us to our final banquet at a 5 star hotel downtown. I brought all of my luggage along, but Greg didn’t because he is staying in Thailand and traveling to Phuket for 15 more days. I’m happy to finally be going home though. The hotel we arrived at is quite fancy indeed. We had a few final wrap up sessions and our banquet commenced at 8:oopm. The dress code was all white. I borrowed some white Thai pants form my host mom and wore my white shirt that I wore when I was in Honour choir so so many years ago. Come to think of it, that shirt has seen a lot of action. Graduations, weddings, funerals, and closing banquets of all sorts. During the banquet I sat at table #4 with Kaori (and later Jeff), Yuri, Simi, Jorge, Luis, and Kelly. It was all good. We had a very fine meal, free beer, and many activities including the old “Most likely to…” survey. I was voted most likely to become a teacher. This wouldn’t be the first time either, I was also voted this in my high school grad class. We had a confession session; hilighted with Peter saying that the Haka we had been performing all semester was actually learned from the internet and he hadn’t actually done it before UWP. There was the appreciation book as well; I finally got into it. I was appreciated (along with a few other people) by Renee for being such a great help with computers to a lot of people for the semester. After Andrew had read another touching speech, we all received our certificates and we officially graduated to become Up With People Alumni. Joern gave his final words and we were finished. Afterward I we had a dance party of sorts until we all parted ways at 3am. In the absolutely pouring rain I loaded the bus bound for Bangkok airport for our 6:50AM flight for Tokyo Narita.
There are over 80 photos, so I've embedded them here in a slideshow.
Somewhere over the pacific (5:36pm Bangkok time)
Today was Greg’s birthday and I was the first one to wish him happy birthday as we woke up late, a bit sore from the show still. Our Host family had prepared breakfast for us and we all sang happy birthday and ate breakfast our on the front patio. Their neighbours were moving so they were over for a visit; and just in time too. We had some Swensons ice cream cake. They gave him a tshirt and a wooden frog. (later I got one too). I finished packing and although my bag was substantially overweight, I went with it anyway. We said our thanks and goodbyes and our host dad drove us to our final banquet at a 5 star hotel downtown. I brought all of my luggage along, but Greg didn’t because he is staying in Thailand and traveling to Phuket for 15 more days. I’m happy to finally be going home though. The hotel we arrived at is quite fancy indeed. We had a few final wrap up sessions and our banquet commenced at 8:oopm. The dress code was all white. I borrowed some white Thai pants form my host mom and wore my white shirt that I wore when I was in Honour choir so so many years ago. Come to think of it, that shirt has seen a lot of action. Graduations, weddings, funerals, and closing banquets of all sorts. During the banquet I sat at table #4 with Kaori (and later Jeff), Yuri, Simi, Jorge, Luis, and Kelly. It was all good. We had a very fine meal, free beer, and many activities including the old “Most likely to…” survey. I was voted most likely to become a teacher. This wouldn’t be the first time either, I was also voted this in my high school grad class. We had a confession session; hilighted with Peter saying that the Haka we had been performing all semester was actually learned from the internet and he hadn’t actually done it before UWP. There was the appreciation book as well; I finally got into it. I was appreciated (along with a few other people) by Renee for being such a great help with computers to a lot of people for the semester. After Andrew had read another touching speech, we all received our certificates and we officially graduated to become Up With People Alumni. Joern gave his final words and we were finished. Afterward I we had a dance party of sorts until we all parted ways at 3am. In the absolutely pouring rain I loaded the bus bound for Bangkok airport for our 6:50AM flight for Tokyo Narita.
There are over 80 photos, so I've embedded them here in a slideshow.
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