OneWorld.net (U.S.)

What Can You Do?

Get involved with the following global or political campaigns to “make poverty history.”

© Millennium CampaignEverybody can take action on poverty in 2005 by wearing a white band on the global white band action days. Upcoming dates are on September 10 and December 10. Find out more about this movement and events in your own vicinity.

The ONE campaign is a new effort by Americans to rally Americans—ONE by ONE—to fight the emergency of global AIDS and extreme poverty. The campaign holds that allocating an additional ONE percent of the U.S. budget toward providing basic needs would transform an entire generation of the poorest countries. Find out how you can join their efforts.

The Millennium Campaign and Civicus have launched a comprehensive and easy-to-use Campaign toolkit. Designed to hold elected leaders to account for the promises they made in the Millennium Declaration, the toolkit includes tips on working with the media, planning events, and raising awareness about poverty.

Short on ideas to “make poverty history”? Then check out the Millennium Campaign’s “Action Center,” which offers about a dozen suggestions for ways to get involved.

InterAction’s web site has an MDG page, which offers links to several major campaigns. A “Get Involved!” link allows you to send a message to your elected representatives on fighting poverty.

Only have 5 minutes to spare? NetAid’s site suggests a number of easy ways that you can have a say in policies to help people rise above poverty.

Here are some other “action ideas” from OneWorld partners:

Find out how you, your school, your community group, and your colleagues can get involved with Action Against Hunger by, among others, joining an AAH chapter or participating in student projects.

To take a quiz on how much you know about global poverty, or to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by globalization, check out an initiative of NetAid and the Public Radio Exchange.

If you want to fight poverty directly, get some advice on becoming a volunteer—locally, globally, or on-line.

Check out the “Get Involved” section of ACCION International’s Web site to see how you can help micro entrepreneurs around the world set up their own tiny businesses.

Women’s Edge is sponsoring an “Invest in Women” drive, which includes simple ways to create greater economic self-sufficiency for women. Supporting a small-grants fund for women is the centerpiece of this effort. Find out how you can get involved in this initiative.

Ashoka’s Full Economic Citizenship initiative and Changemakers are launching a global search for innovative market-based strategies that improve the lives of low-income individuals around the world. Two winners will receive an award and $5,000. Entries must be received by September 22, 2005.

Want to support a local project directly? The site for Global Giving enables individuals and companies to find and support high-impact, grassroots social and economic development projects around the world.

© Confédération internationale des syndicats libresGrassroots International promotes global justice through partnerships with social change organizations. Donations go directly to supporting community-based solutions and local initiatives.

Heifer Project International provides animals to families to lift them out of poverty and be more self-reliant. Find out how you can get involved in some exciting volunteer opportunities or study tours.

For just over $200, you can buy 50 chickens! Madre, a OneWorld partner committed to defending human rights for women and families, shows you how small donations can go a long way to helping local communities fight poverty.