2005 so far
Despite the G8's whispers, we did achieve some progress since a G8 summit has never before taken positive steps for the developing world! The debts of just 18 countries were "forgiven" - 1/10th of the minimum necessary and still with conditions, but nevertheless, a step in the right direction!
Almost nothing was done on Trade but Aid was boosted by $48billion over 5 years (although less than half of this is new money it is still new money!). The G8 gave a gesture of Charity whereas we are demanding Justice!
Then, between the 14-16th September the UN Summit was transformed from an MDG review Summit to a summit of "dashed hopes and squandered opportunities". The largest ever gathering of World Leaders assembled in New York were barely able to make a constructive decision on eradicating poverty! Progress was made for gender equality and HIV/Aids prevention but nothing on Trade, a vague statement on aid (that they will try to reach 0.35% of income by 2010; a promise that they have been consistently breaking!) and have only just about been able to ratify the G8's debt proposal but still with loads of conditions attached!
Yet the campaign to MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY is stronger than ever as the Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP) now unites millions upon millions of like minded people and organisations of every kind in over 90 countries! Every day more people are joining the campaign and collectively we are forming part of a movement that will MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY.