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What we want

THE CRUCIAL PART. WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOR.

AID

The Facts: Aid is increasing but not fast enough and with the wrong conditions attached.

The Promise: An extra $50 billion per year.

What world leaders must do NOW: Scale up to meet this commitment and to make this SMART aid – Sufficient, Measurable, Accountable, Responsible and Transparent.


DEBT

The Facts: Between 1970 and 2002 Africa received $540 billion in loans. Despite the fact that over that same period, African countries paid back $550 billion—$10 billion more than the original loans—at the end of 2002 they still owed another $293 billion.

The Promise: Debt cancellation for 38 countries over time, starting with 18 immediately.

What world leaders must do NOW: The G8 have met their first commitment on this, cancelling the debt of 18 countries in 2006. 300 million people in these countries have been freed from the burden of debt. Now the remaining countries should get debt cancellation as soon as possible. The only conditions should be a commitment to fighting corruption and investing the money wisely in health and education for their people.


EDUCATION

The Facts: There are 100 million children out of school.

The Promise: Every child in school by 2015.

What world leaders must do NOW: Fill the emergency financing gap and find additional funds.


HEALTH

The Facts: HIV/AIDS kills 6,600 people every day in Africa. 9 million people urgently need life-saving AIDS drugs.

The Promise: Access to AIDS treatment for all by 2010; scaling up the fight against Malaria, saving the lives of 600,000 children by 2015.

What world leaders must do NOW: Fully fund the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria so that life saving treatments reach those that need them.


TRADE

The Facts: In 1980 Africa had a 6% share of world trade. By 2002 this had dropped to just 2% despite Africa having 12 % of the world's population. If Africa could regain just an additional 1% share of global trade, it would earn $70 billion more in exports each year - several times more than what the region currently receives in foreign aid.

The Promise: To help double the size of Africa's economy and trade by 2015.

What world leaders must do NOW: G8 leaders must show leadership and commitment to deliver a pro-Africa conclusion the WTO's Doha Development Round in 2006 – that means: 100% access for all African products to our markets; eliminations of rich country subsidies that damage Africa; serious investment in Africa; capacity to trade; and no forced liberalisation.

 

MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY is part of an international campaign calling for immediate and meaningful government action against poverty. Each national campaign has shaped its platform to suit its context.

In Aotearoa New Zealand, MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY is calling for:

TRADE JUSTICE
The New Zealand government should advocate for:

  • Fairly negotiated international trade rules that do not undermine people's livelihoods, the rights of poor farmers and workers, or developing countries' rights to determine their own development
  • International trade rules and practices that do not undermine protections enshrined in international agreements on human rights and labour standards, or the environment
  • An end to unfair trade practices that benefit rich and powerful interests, at the expense of poor people
  • The regulation of transnational corporations to ensure the protection of people and the environment
  • An end to the international trade in weapons and military equipment where that trade leads to or encourages armed conflict

DROP THE DEBT

  • The immediate cancellation of all external debt of the most impoverished countries, without harmful conditions
  • The establishment of a fair and transparent debt arbitration process

MORE AND BETTER AID
More Aid
The New Zealand Government:

  • Must fully commit to spending 0.7% of Gross National Income on overseas aid with a series of milestones for meeting the target by 2015. (For more information on Aotearoa New Zealand meeting the 0.7% target visit the POINTSEVEN campaign website.)
  • Should advocate for reduction of excessive military expenditure worldwide and for the redirection of those funds to social spending that meets human needs

Better Aid
New Zealand Government aid must:

  • Focus on poverty eradication and fostering human rights
  • Support poor countries' and communities' own plans and paths out of poverty
  • Not be linked to the acceptance of economic policies like trade liberalisation and privatisation

END CHILD POVERTY IN AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND

  • Establish a systematic plan and timetable to end child poverty in New Zealand
  • Develop a comprehensive range of policies designed to ensure that all New Zealand children must be provided with the basic necessities of life, including warmth, housing, adequate nutrition, healthcare and educational opportunities
  • Ensure that no child is discriminated against in measures to reduce poverty, including discrimination on the grounds of parental employment status