Make Poverty History Campaign

10.00.00pm GMT Tue 9th Nov 2004

Today sees the Parliamentary launch of the "Make Poverty History" campaign in the House of Commons. Over 80 of the country's most

influential international development organisations have assembled a powerful coalition to fight against world poverty to ensure that 2005 becomes a year when the face of global poverty is changed forever. The campaign which seeks to bring about changes in three

key areas - trade, debt and aid.

The "Make Poverty History" campaign will run throughout 2005 and will capitalise on the unprecedented series of events taking place throughout the year which can put global poverty at the heart of the political agenda. Next year the United Kingdom is hosting the G8 summit, will hold the Presidency of the European Union and will report on the Prime Minister's 'Commission for Africa'. In addition, 2005 marks the 10th anniversary of Comic Relief, the 20th anniversary of Live Aid and the Millennium Development Goals 5 year summit - taken together, these events represent a unique and powerful opportunity to make next year truly historic.