23 Million stand up against poverty
On 15 - 16 October there was a global attempt to set an official Guinness World record for the largest number of people ever to Stand Up Against Poverty in 24 hours.
The results were announced in London on 17 October, World Poverty Day.
23,542,614 people Stood Up Against Poverty... with Guinness World Records spokesperson Craig Glenday saying: "By the time we get all the figures in it will be the largest single coordinated movement of people in the history of the Guinness World Records."
At each Stand Up event, people stood up and pledged their solidarity with the world's poorest people and demanded that governments take urgent action to end poverty and inequality and to meet and exceed the Millennium Development Goals.
In Johannesburg, Kumi Naidoo, spokesperson for the global anti-poverty movement said: "Ordinary people around the world have stood up to express their passion to end poverty. Together, we have sent a clear message to our political leaders that we are going to keep pushing them to deliver on aid, on debt cancellation, on trade justice and to provide good and accountable governments. The people's voices are growing louder. We will not rest until poverty is ended".
Travis stick post-it note to no.10
On 13 July, Scottish rock band Travis stuck a giant post-it note to the front door of No.10 Downing Street to remind the Prime Minister before he left for the G8 summit in St Petersburg that although some progress has been made, poverty is not yet history.
It was the first time anything other than a Christmas wreath has been put on the front door of No.10.
Similar actions were staged in Canada, France, Germany and the US.
Fran Healy, lead singer of Travis, said: "If G8 leaders keep their promises, 4 million lives will be saved every year. One in four of us in the UK took action to support MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY last year and worldwide 130 million people actively support the global call to action against poverty. The world is watching for the leaders to make their promises happen."
