Speakers’ Corner: Make Poverty History Roadtrip

On Mondays, www.global-changemakers.net turns into Speakers’ Corner: members of the network and community have their say on their work and the issues that concern them.

On Saturday the 8th May at 8am approximately 100 young Queensland based ambassadors set out from Brisbane’s University of Queensland to campaign against crippling poverty that leaves approximately 1.4 billion people without dignity. These 100 odd ambassadors were to join a further 900 in Canberra for a three day long summit to convince Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and the Australian Government to live up to its past promises and further commit to the delivery of 70c out of every $100 of Gross National Income (GNI) required to lift the worlds most destitute people out of the hollow prison that is extreme poverty and achieve the globally agreed upon Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The Roadtrip, organised by the Oaktree Foundation (a development organisation entirely run and operated by Australian youths under the age of 25) in partnership with the Make Poverty History coalition lasted seven days in total, and saw the collection of some 50 000 signatures over the short period. The largest petition of its kind in Australian history.

To all ambassadors involved, the alleviation of extreme poverty is not just a gesture of charity but an act of justice. In the words of one of our own, “Poverty is the result of a refusal to do a good thing.” In the minds of all were the 1.4 billion that exist on less than US $1.25 a day and experience a destitution that de-humanises and leaves such a large part of the world without any basic necessity’s or life prospects.

Over the course of the roadtrip the Queensland contingent grew incredibly as individuals and as a team. Campaigning with such honest and raw commitment, many found themselves and their life calling amidst the whirlwind of passion. With all the criticisms and labels of apathy that youth have come to face in recent years, surely this group has shown that to break the mould, to attempt to face down societies existing norms can be the most beneficial and awe-inspiring thing that one can do.

Photo taken in Coffs Harbour, NSW, Australia

As long as poverty exists there is no true freedom. The world has come a long way, advancing astoundingly since LiveAid and the days of rockstar benefits. The increasing accessibility of information has transferred the movement to the people, and the people are slowly awakening to the challenge. We now do know what it takes to alleviate extreme poverty and understand the conditions under which those who have nothing live. The moral calling has arrived, responsibility is true and present and to do nothing would be the greatest crime.

So much can be taken from the trip but what remains so constant and important to all our young lives is that when you start challenging the world it opens up for you. The call continues to be heeded.

*On 31 May 2010 the Australian Parliament introduced the Act on Poverty. If passed in Parliament it would guarantee the Australian Government will act to achieve their commitment of 0.7% of GNI to foreign aid by 2015.

- Jack Greig, Global Changemaker

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