Australians to Hold Concerts to 'Make Poverty History'

The organisers of last year's successful Make Poverty History concert in Melbourne are preparing a string of concerts this year to put pressure on Australia's politicians to increase foreign aid.

Last year's concerts included performances by Bono and Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder and coincided with the G20 meeting of world financial leaders.

Organisers are determined to continue their crusade against global poverty using political pressure.

Hugh Evans, creator of the Oaktree Foundation, one of two groups working with Make Poverty History, said the campaign's focus was now on how ending poverty could be achieved.

"We saw hundreds of thousands get behind the cause, but the one thing we didn't see was the Australian Government get behind it as well," Mr Evans said.

The Australian Government has committed to spend 0.7 per cent of GDP on overseas development assistance.

"Ultimately, in the words of Bono, Governments will do what you tell them to do," Mr Evans said. "There needs to be enough people from all over the country telling the Government we care about this goal to end extreme poverty."

The concerts, scheduled to be held 1-7 July, will be part of road trips across the country involving about 1000 people aged under 26. They will travel to remote areas to "spread the message to end extreme poverty".

"It's taking it to the regional areas, to the areas where we believe we can have the biggest impact," said Mr Evans. "If we can communicate to our Government that we are committed to our target of 0.7 per cent of GDP in foreign aid, great things could be achieved."

Big names in Australian music have already lent their support to the cause - Missy Higgins and Evermore have been confirmed as the headline acts for the trip. Organisers are also talking with Silverchair singer Daniel Johns. The concert and the road trip are being run by the Make Poverty History group together with the Oaktree and Reach foundations.

Mr Evans, the 2004 Young Australian of the Year, created the Oaktree Foundation to help young people make a difference.

Viv Benjamin, a co-ordinator, said the idea for the road trip came on the back of last year's success. "The concert was just the beginning. It was big, it got the media and the celebrities. It got a simple message out there," she said. "But what we want to do this year is take that to the next level and translate it to real action. It's not about just turning up to a concert but people taking action in their own lives all across Australia."

Organisers are looking for people aged between 16 and 26 who are passionate about ending poverty and are willing to travel as ambassadors of the campaign.