October 16&17th, 2007

Canada and the World Set New Records in Stand Up Against Poverty Events

Ottawa, October 18, 2007 - More than 43 million people in 127 countries who took part in “Stand Up Against Poverty” events around the world have set a new Guinness World Record. The record, for the largest coordinated mobilization in history, exceeds the one set last year (23.5 million) by 60%.

Here at home, over 76,000 Canadians took part in more than 500 Stand Up events across the country on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, October 17th. That number represents a better than 50% improvement on last year’s turn-out.

“This is an amazing indication of the growing conviction among Canadians that we aren’t doing enough to rid this country and the world of a scourge that can be beaten,” says Gerry Barr, Chair of the Make Poverty History campaign in Canada. “Those who took part in yesterday’s events are sending a message to leaders here and abroad – Get on board, and do something!”

Make Poverty History’s prescription is more and better international aid, cancellation of the debt of the world’s poorest countries, trade justice, and an end to child poverty in Canada. Some 250,000 Canadians have endorsed the campaign by visiting http://www.makepovertyhistory.ca/e/stand-up