One million people in 100 days. Are you in? You may have seen the "I'm In" ads on TV over the past couple of days, or read about it in the papers... Oxfam is calling for 1,000,000 people to pledge their support for the fight against poverty over the next 100 days. We need people all over the country to text, email or call us to say "I'm in". We just need your contact details, then we'll send you ideas on how you can help. It may seem small, but it shows you want to do something to end poverty. As Campaigns Director Adrian Lovett put it: "This is the biggest target we have ever set ourselves but we know that there are millions of people in the UK who believe that world poverty can be overcome. 2005 was an incredible year and shows us what we can do when people work together for change. We want "I'm in" to build on this legacy and take forward people's desire for justice." To sign up to 'I'm in', visit www.oxfam.org.uk/imin or text "In" to 87099. posted at 12:29 PM | Permalink 4 comments

Tsunami: one year on The tsunami of 26 December 2004 devastated the lives and livelihoods of millions of people. Many were living in poverty before the tsunami; others were suddenly plunged into poverty. The affected communities are determined to rebuild their lives, and the generosity of donors has meant that aid agencies have been able to help them. Many have resumed work, and local economies are beginning to recover. Sustained support over the coming years will give people the opportunity to get out of poverty for good. A new report, Back to Work shows how, one year after the tsunami hit, up to 60 per cent of people who lost their jobs are earning a living again, and by the end of 2006 it is estimated that 85 per cent of jobs will have been restored. The photo above is taken from a new photography exhibition which starts on 10 January, outside the National Theatre in London. It shows locals playing cricket on the beach at Dickwella, Sri Lanka, 11 months after the tsunami. Oxfam's tsunami response will last four more years, and has already helped more than 1.8 million people in seven countries to start rebuilding their lives. Go to the main Oxfam website to find out how donations have been spent, what impact Oxfam has had, and what lies ahead. posted at 11:58 AM | Permalink 0 comments

Hong Kong: What difference did we really make? The final update from our campaigners at the WTO summit in Hong Kong... I'm back home now, after a long, long flight home. It's clichéd to say this but I'm going to say it anyway - there really is no way to describe this past week. Irene has gone over what came out in Hong Kong, so I won't go into much detail on that. Instead, what I have to say, or rather to ask, is a question - what difference did we really make? All of us, everyone who signed a petition, wore a white band, attended a rally, went to Live8... People in People & Planet groups like at my university, who ran events like our Hunger Banquet or campaigned at music festivals... People like Irene who got over 1.3 million signatures in Zambia... There are 17.8 million people who signed the Big Noise Make Trade Fair petition, and 31 million people took part in the Global Call to Action Against Poverty. At the WTO itself, thousands of people protested, whilst NGOs like Oxfam lobbied trade ministers, exposed scandalous proposals in the press and wrote policy responses. And at the end of the WTO, with so much effort put in by so many people... What difference did we really make? I wish I had a profound answer for you, I really do! I guess there isn't really a right or wrong answer, but I have a few thoughts. Firstly, this WTO Ministerial saw the largest ever bloc of developing countries, the G110. Representing 4/5 of the world's population, they came together and said NO to rich countries forcing them to liberalise and YES to making trade fair, particularly in agriculture. So how did we effect that? Well if you see this BBC news item, you'll notice in the photo that the trade ministers are shaking hands holding our Big Noise Make Trade Fair petition. Remember of the 17.8million people who have signed that petition, 80 per cent were from the G110 countries - the Big Noise represented and strengthened solidarity amongst these countries. Secondly, I saw for the first time the real need to have a diverse and broad movement. I was very sceptical of the anti-G8 protests - of socialists and anarchists who were white, middle class students. OK, that's slightly harsh, but essentially I was very sceptical of the effectiveness of the anti-G8 protests. I believe in being 'for' something not just 'anti', and I believe that the way to win over mass public support for a fairer world is through all inclusive campaigns like Make Poverty History, a message of hope rather than hate. But here at the WTO I changed my mind, I made a distinction. The protestors here weren't angst-ridden students, they were actual farmers and workers from all around the globe who had nothing to return to, whose livelihoods have been devastated by unfair trade. Who am I too say they are too radical? They have a right to be listened to and to be understood, even if you might not agree with the specifics of what they were calling for. Being around farmers and workers from all around the world, I learnt for the first time the true meaning of solidarity and the right of all people to have their voices heard. Thirdly, I was reminded of what Kumi Naidoo said when he spoke to us at the youth exchange conference at the beginning of the week - that whatever the outcome of the WTO we must carry on, and recognise that the fight for social justice is a marathon and not a sprint. We are part of the biggest ever mass mobilisation of people against poverty - over 150 million people. We are all part of that movement, in many different ways, whether it is by wearing a white band, lobbying an MP, joining a campaigning group, running an event, or any number of other campaigning activities. There is a tale being told, it's set all around the globe. We all have a role to play in that tale, it's just a matter of finding our place in the cast and learning our lines. Previous Hong Kong updates: 19 December 2005 15 December 2005 12 December 2005 posted at 10:36 AM | Permalink 0 comments

Nigeria's debt and how you can take action Although some of Nigeria's $30 billion debt has been cancelled, they still have to pay $12.4 billion upfront to 14 of the world's richest countries. And the UK is about to collect £1.7 billion of that. The Jubilee Debt Campaign is calling for the UK government to return the money it is about to receive. You can join the campaign by writing a letter or email to Gordon Brown or contacting your local media. Find out more about the campaign and why Nigeria's debt is both unjust and unpayable here. Is it fair? Should we be calling for a repayment? Did the G8 do enough on debt cancellation? Have your say below. posted at 10:41 AM | Permalink 3 comments

Send an ethical e-card this Xmas If you want to send a Christmas message with a difference this year, why not send one of our fabulous ethical e-cards (like the one above)? You'll save trees (and cash), and you'll help to spread messages about vital campaigns to alleviate poverty and suffering around the world. The nifty cards have been designed just for Generation Why, and you can add your own message to them. So share the love this Xmas - send a Generation Why e-card! posted at 8:54 AM | Permalink 0 comments

Club Hedonistic Xmas gig in support of Oxfam Club Hedonistic, the new music showcase, is holding a big Xmas bash in support of Oxfam, on Friday 23 December at the Islington Academy. The event will feature four great new bands and then some indie floor filling tune spinning through until 3.00 am. Entry is free, and donations will be taken on the night for those wishing to help Oxfam's work fighting poverty and suffering. Special guest DJs will be The Cooper Temple Clause with four bands: 28 Costumes, Hedon, JunkTV and The Silent Parade. All in all, a rather spiffing last big gig of the year. posted at 4:04 PM | Permalink 0 comments

School dinners top the Oxfam Unwrapped Christmas list Just a quick story we saw in The Guardian today - school dinners have topped this year's ethical Christmas shopping chart, according to the people behind the fabulous Oxfam Unwrapped catalogue. They've sold 89,000 £6 packs of 100 school dinners for Africa online and over the phone this year, beating last year's chart-topper, the ever-giving goat. More than 30,000 tree seed packs have also been sold - that's a whopping 1.5m trees. They've also shifted a fair few allotments (15,000) and donkeys (9,500). And all those figures don't even include the 1,000s of Oxfam Unwrapped sales made in Oxfam shops. It all marks a sharp rise in what is being called 'conscience shopping'... Read the full story on The Guardian website >> posted at 3:12 PM | Permalink 3 comments

Latest from our campaigners in Hong Kong... Irene here, feeling bruised and broken after walking for days, screaming and chanting for hours. The sixth World Trade Organisation Ministerial Conference is finally over and I'm leaving the event with mixed feelings... For Oxfam's reaction, read the latest Oxfam press release: WTO Ministerial Text a betrayal of development promises. Read also: 'Will there be another trade round?' on the BBC website, and 'Modest deal struck in Hong Kong'. And then there's 'In all other respects, the meeting was a failure': The Guardian. Though most people are obviously not happy with the results of this ministerial, it is worth noting that developing countries managed to stand in solidarity for the first time, and agreed a united front on the most important issues. Some progress has been made towards creating space for developing countries to protect their food security and livelihoods. I would like to think that this is only the beginning to greater things to come! Some progress has also been made to reduce the dumping of Northern exports on the markets of developing countries: an end to all EU export subsidies by 2013, disciplines on US food aid and disciplines on Australia, New Zealand and Canada State Trading Enterprises. But the meeting has still failed to offer any thing specific on the elimination of domestic supports that, for example, currently puts in danger 15 million small-scale African cotton producers. From the look of things, the outcomes of this ministerial seem to only be openings for more discussions planned for next year. This is not something that the developing world would like to hear, but we're waiting anyway... Latest from the WTO Summit on Make Trade Fair >> Read the previous updates from our campaigners: 15 Dec 2005, 12 Dec 2005 posted at 10:35 AM | Permalink 0 comments

Today is the last day for Christmas orders from Oxfam Just a quickie to let you all know that today (Fri 16th December) is the last day that Oxfam Unwrapped or Gifts That Give Twice orders can be made with guaranteed Christmas delivery. posted at 2:25 PM | Permalink 3 comments

Make Trade Fair on tour with Feeder... Last week, we took the Make Trade Fair campaign on tour with Feeder - here's our brilliant campaigner Adam Askew's tour diary. It's a Monday afternoon, I have arrived at the Doncaster Dome... I hear singing... "Pushing the senses through, Always, I can depend on you!" It's almost surreal: here I am sitting in the sound check of one of my favourite bands, Feeder. Grant is singing. To boot I have six volunteers arriving to campaign on something I believe in passionately. We were approached by Feeder to campaign on their "Pushing the Senses" UK tour. We were allowed volunteers at the gigs to campaign, as well as an information stand and videos on screen in the interval. We were campaigning on Make Trade Fair and were collecting signatures for trade justice leading up to the WTO meeting. Feeder were amazing; they weren't doing this for PR or preaching about what they believe in. They are a good bunch of guys who believe we have the power in this generation to make a difference. They wanted their fans to hear the message and hoped they would take action. I have to admit I was pretty nervous at the start of the week. Campaigning was one thing, but interacting with the crew and staff was another. But I was quickly inducted on the dos and don'ts of the tour bus (namely: no number twos while travelling - apparently it doesn't make you the most popular person!). The campaigning went really well. Event though the tour was cut short due to Grant's illness, we still nearly got 3,000 signatures. The rescheduled gigs are at the biggest venues, so we're looking forward to a strong finish. In total, nearly 15,000 people would have heard about trade justice. People can see that by doing simple things we can help to Make Poverty History. The highlight of the tour so far was easily Cardiff. Back home, Feeder and Goldie Lookin Chain (the support) were on top form. The Oxfam Cymru guys were brilliant, too. It was World Aids Day so we had a massive 3 metre by 3 metre ribbon, which the band signed. Mark the drummer even came out to the stall and campaigned with us, which raised our profile no end! I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all the team at Feeder. It really is the 'Feeder family', so thanks for making me feel so welcome. I also wanted to thank all the regional offices for all their help in organising volunteers. But most of all I want to thank all the lovely people who campaigned. You are all amazing people and you restore my faith that we can make a difference. It's all about chipping away! Find out more about Make Trade Fair >> posted at 9:17 AM | Permalink 0 comments

Latest from our campaigners in Hong Kong... OK. So... how to summarise the last couple of days since we posted last? Surreal is probably the best way to describe it. So much is going on it's a bit overwhelming. Unlike the G8, where everything thing took place in a highly restrictive venue in the middle of nowhere (Gleneagles Golf Club), the WTO is meeting in a highly restrictive venue in the middle of a major city, so loads is going on. On Sunday, the Youth Exchange conference ended, and Kumi Naidoo, Chair of the Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP), spoke at the closing session. Those of you who saw Nelson Mandela speak in Trafalgar Square in February and the Murrayfield concert in July will know what a great speaker Kumi is. Everyone was really fired up by his words and ready to go for the week ahead. Tuesday saw the opening of the WTO trade talks and with it a massive march for trade justice. Contrary to what is probably being said in the press, the march was completely peaceful except for a minor incident. At the start of the march we, as youth activists on trade, all spoke and did a little performance in front of about 1,000+ people which was awesome. Around 8,000 were on the march from all around the world, including some farmers from northern India. The people their organisation represented were facing a daily struggle for survival because of the effects of trade liberalisation, a struggle faced by almost all of the other farmers' groups represented here from around the globe. We marched alongside them, as well as that dude from the Motorcycle Diaries who I'm told is very attractive. Amusingly, Irene (somewhat pathetically) tried to engage in small talk with him! At the end of the march, some farmers from Korea tried to swim to the WTO convention centre. It is easy to right off such acts as futile, but you have to think what must be going through their minds - their complete and utter desperation caused by unfair trade. An epic day finished with a talk by Joseph Stiglitz, who wrote a great book called "Globalisation and Its Discontents". After joking about Irene, I should add that I was very sad and tried (somewhat pathetically) to get him to sign my copy of his book! Wednesday was another manic day, it seemed we were running about non-stop. First of all, we took part in a rather bizarre media stunt... We dressed up as the G8 leaders wondering around Tai Chei experts wearing massive heads - I was our Tony. It makes no sense, but I think that was the point... It was fun and all but it's just a shame that the only way to get media attention for our issues (and we did get a lot) is by doing something so stupid! Of far greater importance - the Big Noise petition was handed over to Pascal Lamy, Director General of the WTO, which carried a phenomenal 17.8 MILLION signatures from around the globe (including 1 million from Zambia, thanks to Irene and the organisation she runs). World trade talks latest on Oxfam.org.uk >> posted at 1:49 PM | Permalink 2 comments

PS. Win a signed celebrity dumping photo! Meant to mention this in the previous post - this week you can win a SIGNED Make Trade Fair dumping pic (like the one above). They've got pics signed by Thom Yorke, Jamelia, Damon Albarn, Colin Firth, Nitin Sawhney and Bobby Friction. All you have to do is answer an easy-peasy question on the Make Trade Fair website. The competition closes on 20 December, so get to it! posted at 10:06 AM | Permalink 0 comments

Big week for trade justice With the World Trade Organisation meeting in Hong Kong, this week is a VERY big week for trade justice. It is a crucial meeting for the millions of people whose poverty is caused, or made worse, by unjust trade rules. And the fear is that the talks will not deliver substantial change. Only yesterday, Oxfam criticised the EU and the US for attempting to prevent developing countries from challenging rich countries’ farm subsidies. You can read the latest updates on Oxfam's stance here, and the BBC website has a great in-depth look at the trade talks too. But there is still cause for optimism. As the world's eyes turned towards Hong Kong, the Big Noise petition to Make Trade Fair was presented to trade ministers and members of trade delegations all over the world. A whopping total of 17.8 MILLION people have signed the petition, including farmers, fisherfolk, city workers, community leaders and students. And on Monday, actor Gael Garcia Bernal, African singer Angelique Kidjo, and Chinese rockstar Anthony Wong handed the petition to Pascal Lamy, Director General of the WTO (see picture), asking him to do all he can to ensure the meeting changes the rules of world trade so that they work for the poor. And we're still gathering support. The Generation Why team is off to Earl's Court tonight, to tell as many Coldplay fans as we can about fair trade and what's going on in Hong Kong. Have a look at our Coldplay blog for updates from the concerts - they promise to be some of the biggest and best of the year. posted at 8:58 AM | Permalink 0 comments

Send a Christmas card to Tony Blair... Why not add Tony Blair to your Xmas card list this year? Make sure he knows how we feel about the promises made by the G8 in July - promises that could save millions of lives by 2015, with more aid and debt cancellation and big steps forward in the fight against AIDS, malaria and polio. Make sure Tony delivers on those promises - send him a personalised Christmas card to add to his mantelpiece at Number 10. posted at 8:42 AM | Permalink 0 comments

Bah humbug! Wales marks White Band Day 3 Wales marked World White Band Day 3 in full seasonal style, with a rewrite of the pantomime 'Scrooge' performed in the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. The show was written and pulled together in just seven days by Oxfam and Amnesty campaigners and volunteers from the 'Hungry Us' Comedy, with support from Dr Bela Arora and Dr Pete Kerr of Hullaballoo Comedy Promotions, and Swansea / Birmingham based development academics. Scrooge, a trade commissioner to the WTO, is putting the finishing touches to his 'deals' the night before the Hong Kong Summit, when he is visited by three ghosts - Christmas Past, Present and Future. He sees a WTO Summit in 2050 where the last remaining resources of developing countries are auctioned off to multinational corporations, leaving no nations or people. "Put your past BEHIND YOU! and Make Trade Fair in Hong Kong," goes the cry. Will he not see the error of his ways? Or he will have to walk the earth through all eternity, weighed down not by chains... but by the biggest white band ever made! The cast and audience - along with Make Poverty History campaigners and the Directors of Oxfam, Christian Aid and Friends of the Earth - then took Scrooge's white band outside where they wrapped it around Cardiff Bay's Pierhead Building - the international symbol of Wales' own global trade, and of Cardiff Bay where the first £1 million cheque in world trade history was signed. Latest from the WTO summit >> posted at 8:42 AM | Permalink 17 comments

Latest from our campaigners in Hong Kong... All this week we'll be posting updates from our campaigners David Taylor and Irene Banda (pictured, right), who are both in Hong Kong to report on the World Trade Organisation talks and, specifically, for the Youth Exchange for Trade Justice. Here are their initial impressions when they arrived last week: David: "I'm a campaigner with Oxfam and People & Planet and a member of the Oxfam Youth Board. I'm writing from Hong Kong, where next week crucial World Trade Organisation talks will take place, talks which could either further entrench poverty or help make it history. "I'm very privileged and humbled to be joining Irene and 40 other trade activists from around the world here in Hong Kong. We are taking part in the Youth Exchange for Trade Justice, sharing experiences, networking and planning for action for the future, as well as immediate lobbying here in Hong Kong ahead of the WTO Ministerial next week." Irene: "I'm an Oxfam Big Noise Campaign partner from Zambia. Two hours on a connecting flight between Zambia and South Africa, three waiting hours in the Johannesburg airport and twelve hours on a Cathay Pacific flight later, I am finally in Hong Kong for a youth exchange workshop for trade justice and the sixth World Trade Organisation Ministerial Conference. "This is my first time in Hong Kong. My first thought is that if anyone told me I was on another planet, I would easily believe it! The WTO ministerial organisers couldn't have chosen a better place. Perfect island for the occasion. "Workshop atmosphere: First day, everyone seems to be in a "sponge" mood. Not too many people being outspoken, we all seem to be waiting to soak in whatever we can in preparation for the days to come. And with about 40 participants and all continents represented - there is a lot to learn!" Read your messages to the WTO >> posted at 10:14 AM | Permalink 0 comments

Survey: Make Poverty History has inspired young people to do more As you may know, over the past few weeks we've been running a survey on Generation Why to find out your thoughts on Make Poverty History and the big events of 2005. A massive thank you to everyone who filled the survey in - we've had an overwhelming response, and we're really grateful for all your comments. The survey found that young people have been really inspired by Make Poverty History in 2005. An amazing 84 per cent of 16-25 year olds said that Make Poverty History had made an impression on them in 2005. London getting the Olympics had made an impact on 54 per cent, and the general election registered with just 35 per cent of those surveyed. What's more, nearly two-thirds (64 per cent) of the 1,200 16-25 year olds who responded to the survey said that Make Poverty History and Live8 had inspired them to do more to end global poverty. And, when asked about what they thought of the Make Poverty History campaign now, 66 per cent said it had really 'raised awareness of the issues'. Interestingly, despite cynicism from some quarters about the use of celebrities by charities, our survey found that the vast majority of young people think it is a positive thing. Over three quarters (78 per cent) said that celebrities endorsing campaigns 'gets the messages to people who might not otherwise care'. And 63 per cent said that celebrities can 'raise awareness of important issues'. Only 6 per cent thought that the use of celebrities in this way 'trivialises the issues'. Overall, it was obvious from the survey results that young people are very aware of global poverty and unfair trade. When asked how concerned they were about a variety of issues, 56 per cent said they were 'very concerned' about poverty. Around 45 per cent said they were very concerned about global warming, and 44 per cent about unfair global trade. Just 13 per cent were very concerned about binge drinking, and only 3 per cent about the new leader of the Tory party! All in all, the survey shows how Make Poverty History has had a incredibly positive influence on young people in 2005, and has inspired them to get further involved in the future. Ahead of White Band Day 3 this Saturday, this timely news illustrates how 16-25 year olds are now more aware of the issues, and more motivated than ever to Make Poverty History. What do you think of the survey results? Add your comments below. posted at 1:57 PM | Permalink 0 comments

Be part of a trans-global event this Sunday This Sunday, Candela, Subsounds, Bulb Magazine and War On Want present the second Latin Hip Hop and Reggaeton festival. The night marks International Human Rights Day, as well as Bulb magazine's first birthday. The Carling Academy, Islington is playing host to the festival, showcasing the best of urban Latin talent in the UK, and featuring Columbian rap group Asilo 38 (pictured). This is the group's first UK gig - they are appearing on behalf of War on Want in order to raise awareness of the issues that ordinary Colombians face as a result of their political situation. War on Want has been working with grass roots groups in Columbia for many years. With only three per cent of the country owning 70 per cent of land, Columbia is 'one of the most unequal societies on earth'. Other acts on the bill include Latin Clan (UK number 1 Latin Urban act), La Raza (featuring DJ Loco and MC Magico), Cultura Londres, Kid Afrika (whose songs are featured on the new MTV film Transit), Leximan, Criolla, Fido and Vane and La Tribu. With their roots right across Latin America, these artists represent the future of Latin music in the UK. At the same time, 50,000 people are set to be heading to the stadium in Cali, Columbia to take part in this trans-global event. The Super Furry Animals are playing, and the event will be platforming Columbians' voices, speaking about human rights atrocities that occur there every day. Tickets for the night in Islington are £10 in advance, and £12 on the door. posted at 9:00 AM | Permalink 0 comments

Is volunteering just for the privileged few? Interesting debate on the BBC website today - as politicians like Gordon Brown and David Cameron promote community work, the BBC asks whether only the well-off can really take advantage of the benefits it brings... As the feature puts it: "the prospect of unwaged employment might not be so appealing if you're a cash-strapped school leaver who wants to help mum put food on the table. And for young people facing the financial burden of student loans, the need to earn during a gap year is all the more urgent." So, what do you think? You can add your own comment to the debate, or tell us below. There's more info about volunteering on this website, too. posted at 4:15 PM | Permalink 1 comments

White Band Day 3 is this Saturday! The third White Band Day is all about putting the spotlight on trade justice. And, because it's this Saturday, three days before world leaders meet at the WTO to discuss global trade rules, doing your bit can really make a difference. Here are just a few ways you can get involved... Wear your band Show your support by wearing your band. Or buy one online. Put a poster up We've produced this 'Spotlight on trade justice' poster. Put it up anywhere, home, school, uni, college, shops, swimming pool, work. Spread the word. Send e-cards to your friends Generation Why has loads of great e-cards for you to spread the message. Have a look at our selection and send them to your friends, telling them about Saturday. Tell developing countries you support them Stand by the world's poorest countries and make sure they get a fair deal at the WTO. Send a message to a developing country leader and tell them you are putting the spotlight on trade justice. Tell the EU to Make Trade Fair Write to Rob Portman, US Trade Representative, and Peter Mandelson, EU Trade Commissioner to demand they put the lives of world's poorest people before the interests of rich countries and rich companies. Go to an event Enjoy a day of music in Newcastle, a moving band of light and balloons and alternative carols in Leicester and Birmingham, a hunger banquet and ceilidh in Leeds and a life size unfair chess game in Oxford. Click here for full details of events and find one near you. Hold your own event We know it's short notice but it's not too late to organise your own event. Download the White Band Day 3 action tool kit here. Most of all, have a great White Band Day 3! posted at 10:52 AM | Permalink 0 comments

Write a consumer review and give 50p to Oxfam! Just been sent details of a really cool campaign on the consumer website ReviewCentre.com. Basically, for every consumer review that's published on the site in the run up to Christmas, Review Centre will pledge 50p to help Oxfam's work around the world. As Review Centre chief exec Paul Nadin explained: "We would like to make a contribution to help those in need and so we are letting visitors to our site know they can help make a difference, simply by doing what they do best, writing reviews of products, consumer goods and services and sharing their experiences with fellow consumers." Review Centre hopes to raise £3,000 for Oxfam by Christmas, and the site is placing a 'Totaliser' on its website to help the campaign gather momentum. Visitors and members can track the fundraising appeal day by day as it grows towards its target. Why don't you get the ball rolling and visit www.reviewcentre.com now and write a review? You'll also be sharing useful info with fellow consumers in the run up to Christmas. posted at 5:52 PM | Permalink 2 comments