# Global Call to Action Against Poverty > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Global_Call_to_Action_Against_Poverty > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Global_Call_to_Action_Against_Poverty.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Call_to_Action_Against_Poverty > Source revision: 1350463740 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Global anti-poverty movement/coalition This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages) This article contains promotional content. Please help improve it by removing promotional language and inappropriate external links, and by adding encyclopedic text written from a neutral point of view. See our advice if the article is about you and read our scam warning in case someone asks for money to edit this article. (November 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this message) This article's use of external links may not follow Wikipedia's policies or guidelines. Please improve this article by removing excessive or inappropriate external links, and converting useful links where appropriate into footnote references. (September 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this message) (Learn how and when to remove this message) Global Call to Action Against Poverty Abbreviation GCAP Formation 1 January 2005 (2005-01-01) Purpose Advocacy Campaign/Anti-Poverty Coalition Region served Worldwide Website gcap.global The **Global Call to Action Against Poverty** (**GCAP**) is a network of over 11,000 civil society organizations (CSOs) organized in about 58 national groups. It advocates for justice and engages in activism opposing [poverty](/source/Poverty) and [inequalities](/source/Social_inequality). At its foundation, GCAP adopted the white band symbol. It co-led the significant single-issue campaign, "Stand UP Against Poverty," earning international recognition.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] GCAP is recognized as one of the world's largest civil society movements.[1] ## History The concept for GCAP emerged in 2003 at a meeting of non-governmental organizations in Maputo, Mozambique, hosted by advocate for women's and children's rights, Graca Machel.[1] The campaign was established at a conference in [Johannesburg](/source/Johannesburg), [South Africa](/source/South_Africa) in late 2004 and officially launched on January 1, 2005, during the [World Social Forum](/source/World_Social_Forum) in [Brazil](/source/Brazil). It rapidly gained traction, becoming the largest anti-poverty campaign, notably during the [31st G8 summit](/source/31st_G8_summit) at Gleneagles.[1] GCAP co-chair Ana Agostino said that the initial burst of energy could only be described as a passionate love affair. "We're now an old, married coalition, and we need to find a way to adjust to our new circumstances," Agostina said in 2008.[1] GCAP faced challenges in the years following its establishment, notably an identity crisis in 2006-2007 when attempting to transforming that momentum into a global coalition. However, it persevered and in 2007, issued the Montevideo Declaration, advocating for democratizing global governance processes to prioritize equity, human security, and inclusion.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] ## Demands Global Call to Action Against Poverty advocates for: - Public accountability, just governance, and human rights fulfilment - [Women's rights](/source/Women's_rights) and [gender justice](/source/Gender_justice) - [Climate justice](/source/Climate_Justice) - [Trade justice](/source/Trade_justice) - Aid and financing for development - [Debt cancellation](/source/Debt_relief) - [Peace](/source/Peace) and [security](/source/Security) ## Operation The campaign is guided by the Beirut Platform, established during GCAP's review session in March 2006. Operating in English, Spanish, French, and Arabic, GCAP convenes periodically to review its performance and plan future actions. The global coalition is based on the Beirut Platform (a revised version of the [Johannesburg Declaration](/source/Johannesburg_Declaration) of 2005) from GCAP's review session in March 2006 in [Beirut](/source/Beirut), [Lebanon](/source/Lebanon).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] ## Mobilisation dates Throughout 2005, GCAP mobilized millions through a series of 'White Band Days', when the symbol was used to highlight the injustice of global poverty. - White Band Day 1 – 1 July 2005 - White Band Day 2 – 10 September 2005 - White Band Day 3 – 10 December 2005 - White Band Day 4 – 17 October 2006 (part of the Month of Mobilization) - White Band Day 5 – 17 October 2007 A month of mobilization was launched on 16 September 2005 (to coincide with the annual meetings of the [IMF](/source/International_Monetary_Fund) and [World Bank](/source/World_Bank)) which will build up to a climax on White Band Day 4 on the 17 October ([International Day for the Eradication of Poverty](/source/International_Day_for_the_Eradication_of_Poverty)). During the month, countries around the world undertook an array of actions, culminating in the global white band day. The white band remains the campaign's symbol and expression of solidarity against poverty. During 2007, national campaigns and coalitions were activated on significant national dates, including the international white band day. From 1 September – 20 October 2008, concerned citizens in over 100 countries will unite again for 50 Global Days of Action Against Poverty, united by the symbol of the white band. They will be calling for governments to eradicate poverty, dramatically lessen inequality, and achieve the Millennium Development Goals. The main body of the UK programme for the 50 Global Days of Action currently features 23 events, with over 50 NGOs and civil society organisations involved to date. It includes opportunities to influence major international meetings, lobbying at party conferences, an activist training forum, a stunt, public meetings, and a major demonstration against [child poverty](/source/Child_poverty) in the UK.[2] ## 'Stand UP' Against Poverty GCAP together with the UN-Millennium Campaign jointly set a [Guinness World Record](/source/Guinness_World_Records) for the most people ever to simultaneously 'Stand Up' against poverty within a 24-hour period. The initiative was held as a part of GCAP's Month of Mobilization and the release of the record numbers was set to coincide with the last day of the Month, The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. *2009 "Stand Up and Take Action against Poverty" campaign* A total of 173 million people around the world—2.5% of the world population—took part in the fourth Stand Up. This was a new Guinness World Record. Over 3,000 events were held in more than 120 countries in the fourth year of the "Stand Up, Take Action, End Poverty Now!" campaign. At least 100 million people in Asia took part in the campaign: [Africa](/source/Africa) saw the participation of almost 40 million, the [Arab region](/source/Arab_region) over 30 million, [Europe](/source/Europe) more than 2 million, [Latin America](/source/Latin_America) and [North America](/source/North_America) some 200,000 each, and [Oceania](/source/Oceania) more than 170,000. *2006* In 2006, the 24-hour period started at 10:00am GMT on 15 October and ended at 10:00am GMT on 16 October. The record was confirmed and released by Guinness officials on 17 October. The official record, that Guinness calls *the largest single coordinated movement of people in the history of the Guinness World Record*, is set at **23,542,614**. Stand Up events were registered in 85 countries across the world. From 17 to 19 October 2008, citizens worldwide will attempt to break this record again. It is possible to register events at www.standagainstpoverty.org. In the UK, around 200 events are expected as part of Stand Up and Take Action Against Poverty and Inequality. These will be supported by organisations and networks including [ActionAid](/source/ActionAid), [WaterAid](/source/WaterAid), [Jubilee Debt Campaign](/source/Jubilee_Debt_Campaign), [Stop Aids Campaign](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Stop_Aids_Campaign&action=edit&redlink=1), DEA, [Muslim Aid](/source/Muslim_Aid), [Quaker Peace and Social Witness](/source/Quaker_Peace_and_Social_Witness), [CND](/source/CND), [Skillshare](/source/Skillshare), TIDAL, [AMREF](/source/AMREF), [Micah Challenge](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Micah_Challenge&action=edit&redlink=1), [World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts](/source/World_Association_of_Girl_Guides_and_Girl_Scouts), the [Diocese of London](/source/Diocese_of_London), [Pants To Poverty](http://pantstopoverty.org.uk) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20161027194058/http://pantstopoverty.org.uk/) 27 October 2016 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine), and the [International Young Professionals Association](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=International_Young_Professionals_Association&action=edit&redlink=1). ## National Campaign Coalitions GCAP has coalitions present in over a hundred countries, a few of which are listed below. For a detailed list please see [\[1\]](https://web.archive.org/web/20061108201335/http://www.whiteband.org/GlobalPages/GcapNearYou) - 2005: plus d 'excuses – France [\[2\]](http://www.2005plusdexcuses.org) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070524033648/http://www.2005plusdexcuses.org/) 24 May 2007 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) - Deine Stimme Gegen Armut – Germany [\[3\]](http://www.deine-stimme-gegen-armut.de) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160331112208/http://www.deine-stimme-gegen-armut.de//) 31 March 2016 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) - Hottokenai, Sekai no Mazushisa – Japan [\[4\]](http://www.hottokenai.jp) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20061109123856/http://hottokenai.jp/) 9 November 2006 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) - Make Poverty History – Australia [\[5\]](https://web.archive.org/web/20050417232632/http://www.makepovertyhistory.com.au/) - Make Poverty History – Canada [\[6\]](https://web.archive.org/web/20061030234702/http://www.makepovertyhistory.ca/) - Make Poverty History – Ireland [\[7\]](https://web.archive.org/web/20061004045311/http://makepovertyhistory.ie/) - Make Poverty History – Emirates (UAE) [\[8\]](https://web.archive.org/web/20070803045423/http://www.makepovertyhistory.ae/) - Make Poverty History – United Kingdom [\[9\]](https://web.archive.org/web/20040916042045/http://www.makepovertyhistory.org/) - Make Poverty History – Nigeria [\[10\]](https://web.archive.org/web/20091122175129/http://www.makepovertyhistoryng.org/) - The ONE Campaign – Singapore [\[11\]](http://www.onesingapore.org) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20061105011300/http://www.onesingapore.org/) 5 November 2006 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) - The ONE Campaign – USA [\[12\]](http://www.one.org) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20061031015821/http://www.one.org/) 31 October 2006 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) - EEN – Armoede de Wereld uit – The Netherlands [\[13\]](http://www.een.nl) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20161021230523/http://www.een.nl/) 21 October 2016 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) - SANGOCO – South Africa - Wada Na Todo – India - No More Excuses – Philippines [\[14\]](http://www.rockedphilippines.org) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20061025140449/http://www.rockedphilippines.org/) 25 October 2006 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) - Gemeinsam gegen Armut – Switzerland [\[15\]](http://www.gemeinsamgegenarmut.ch) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070529162548/http://gemeinsamgegenarmut.ch/) 29 May 2007 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) ## See also - [EndPoverty.org](/source/EndPoverty.org) - [Extreme poverty](/source/Extreme_poverty) - [Make Poverty History](/source/Make_Poverty_History) - [Make Poverty History Emirates](/source/Make_Poverty_History_Emirates) ## References 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-oxfam_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-oxfam_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-oxfam_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-oxfam_1-3) Blaser, Caitlin (November 2008). ["The Global Call to Action against Poverty: International voices for change"](https://policycommons.net/artifacts/1821218/the-global-call-to-action-against-poverty/2559369/). *Policy Commons*. Oxfam International. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240125074711/https://policycommons.net/artifacts/1821218/the-global-call-to-action-against-poverty/2559369/) from the original on 25 January 2024. Retrieved 25 January 2024. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Global Call to Action Against Poverty 2008 Mobilisation"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080911210141/http://www.bond.org.uk/campaign/50daysprogramme.htm). Archived from [the original](http://www.bond.org.uk/campaign/50daysprogramme.htm) on 11 September 2008. Retrieved 1 September 2008. This article needs more citations. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Global Call to Action Against Poverty" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (October 2006) (Learn how and when to remove this message) ## External links - [Whiteband.org – Global Call to Action Against Poverty Official site](http://www.whiteband.org/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20060610164412/http://whiteband.org/) 10 June 2006 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) - [White Band Book – A review of people and events in 2005](http://www.whitebandbook.org/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230208164322/https://www.whitebandbook.org/) 8 February 2023 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) - [GCAP Testimonies](http://www.testimonies-whiteband.org/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20080512084910/http://www.testimonies-whiteband.org/) 12 May 2008 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Global Call to Action Against Poverty](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Call_to_Action_Against_Poverty) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Call_to_Action_Against_Poverty?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.