The MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY campaign and Live8 concerts have shown that people really can make a difference when they ask their leaders to act. At the beginning of 2005 the campaign set out to achieve progress on aid, debt and trade, and within six months had accomplished most of its aims.

In July 2005, at the G8 summit in Scotland, significant progress was made with commitments to write off billions of dollars of debt and to double aid to Africa by 2010. These agreements will make a real and substantial difference to millions of people throughout the world, and their significance should not be underestimated. It is an historic victory which will give hope to many who would otherwise have seen no way out of their poverty.

However the issue of trade has not been settled meaning that rich countries are still making their aid less effective by erecting unfair barriers to Western markets. Under the current situation developing nations are being discriminated against by arrangements in the West which restrict trade in agricultural goods. This means that exports from poor countries are reduced, making it more difficult for producers in the Third World to survive.

The USA, EU and Japan need to negotiate and implement free trade agreements through the World Trade Organisation, so that developing nations have fairer access to developed markets. The West must also reform its agricultural sector so that it receives fewer subsidies, a move which would also help the domestic consumers and taxpayers in these countries.

By increasing aid and carrying out these reforms now, we can help Third World nations develop their infrastructure, governance and education systems so that in the long-term they will become self-sufficient and will no longer need our help.

Campaigning

The MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY campaign and Live8 concerts were successful because they brought together politicians, celebrities and the general public in a united effort to tackle poverty. To ensure that our politicians fulfil their commitments it is important that each and every one of us continues to make our voices heard. So let your elected representatives know that you care about tackling poverty, and that you will support them in the efforts that they make.

Support the UK

The UK government, especially Prime Minister Tony Blair, Chancellor Gordon Brown and the Department for International Development have been very proactive in putting development on the international agenda. Read more …

When writing to the Prime Minister we should therefore let him know that he has our support. We should remember that everyone, regardless of their position and dedication, are encouraged to work even harder when they receive praise.

When contacting your local MP you can ask them, regardless of their party, to voice their support for the development policy of the current government. If you do not know the name of your MP you can find it at the UK Parliament website. Write to them at:

Encourage the USA

President Bush has announced a series of initiatives that could have a major impact on the Third World. However the funding for these initiatives has been reduced by Congress, and there are still some protectionist measures in US trade policy which discriminates against developing nations. Read more ...

Encourage the President to maintain his commitment to supporting development efforts, and if you are a US citizen write to your local Senator to get his support. If you do not know the name of your Senator you can find it at the US Senate website.

Lobby the European Union

The EU is the worst offender at impeding free trade in agriculture by giving massive subsidies to its farmers and restricting imports. Developing nations, which rely heavily on agriculture, find it difficult to compete with such a biased system. Read more …

Contact Peter Mandelson, the EU Commissioner for Trade, to lobby for reforms that would benefit the Third World. As the EU is the worst international offender you should also consider writing to anyone involved in EU decision making, including your local MEP, the UK Trade Policy Representative, the President of the EU Commission or Ambassadors to the UK from the EU member states. You can also sign the Help Africa Petition which calls on the EU to cut its agricultural subsidies to finance better healthcare for Africa's AIDS victims.

2005 will be remembered as the year that the world tried to MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY. When the West has fulfilled its commitments it will be up to others to seize the opportunity that has been offered to them.