'Make Poverty History' Encourages Youth to Take Action

|PIC1|2005 was the year of Make Poverty History, as the UK challenged the government to use its influence to cancel debt, increase aid and bring about trade justice.

In the UK 25,000 campaigned through the night at the trade justice vigil in Westminster, an incredible 225,000 marching in Edinburgh ahead of the G8, and 97,000 Tearfund supporters sent postcards to the Prime Minister to show their support for the campaign.

A recent survey by Oxfam claims that the 2005 'Make Poverty History' (MPH) campaign has mobilised a generation of politically active young people, Youthwork reports.

The charity's youth co-ordinator, Liz Leaver is pleased with the results of the survey: “Make Poverty History put important issues in front of many young people perhaps for the first time, and showed them how they could be a part of it. More young people than ever want to take action and are now looking for the best way to get involved. It is now up to charities like us to help translate that desire into positive action. Oxfam is committed to keeping young people engaged.”

|AD|Of the 1,400 young people who took part in the questionnaire, 84% of 16-25 year olds said that the MPH campaign and Live 8 concerts had the biggest impact on them last year, ahead of the general election and the Olympic bid victory.

Nearly half said they would attend rallies or events this year, and 45 percent said they would donate money or goods to charity.

Two-thirds of participants had worn an MPH white band and intended to support charities this year by signing petitions or joining e-mail campaigns.

However, 54% of those surveyed claimed that they were unsure about what should happen next, indicating that the charities needed to work hard to maintain this enthusiasm.

As the world enters 2006, millions around the world who have sought to fight poverty in the previous year are currently seeking to build on the successes, challenging the government to ‘take the next step.’