The National Platform of Maltese NGDOs (SKOP) in collaboration with STOPoverty! Neqirdu l-Faqar! is making an appeal to all organisations/institutions and social groups including families to stand up for one minute between tomorrow and Sunday, as a sign of the urgency of eliminating further violations of human rights and extreme poverty around the world. Last year 15,942 people in Malta performed this stand-up activity, most of which were teachers and pupils as well as communities and NGOs.
Ever since 1992, the United Nations has officially recognised October 17 as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. One of the main aims for this commemoration is to make heard the voice of those who live in poverty and those who are oppressed.
History has taught us a valuable lesson. When single individuals stood up and made themselves heard, they were able to change the course of mankind. Jesus Christ, Mahatma Ghandi, Martin Luther King and Mother Theresa were among those people who spoke on behalf of the oppressed. Nowadays, we are able to witness large movements following the example of these individuals.
As a sign of solidarity towards those who live in poverty and oppression and cannot speak out, a world-wide initiative is taking place between October 17 and 19. "Stand Up and take Action" is a growing movement of people no longer prepared to stay seated or silent in the face of poverty and inequality.
SKOP is requesting the collaboration of schools, governmental and non-governmental organisations and firms in the private sector to spare one minute and literally stand up as a group while reflecting on the Millennium Development Goals and ways to eradicate poverty. Following this, they are asked to text the number of people who performed the stand-up and the name of the organisation/group to 7984 2015 on the mentioned dates or e-mail their message and details including a photo or video (if possible) to standupmalta@gmail.com.
The texts and e-mails of stand-ups will be exhibited during the 2nd Maltese Millennium Development Goal Conference which will be held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta tomorrow between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. for which the public can attend and participate against no admission/participation fees. These messages will then be forwarded to the international movement www.standagainstpoverty.org and will be added to all other correspondence around the world to break the Guinness World Record of stand-ups.
Help us break the world record so we can break the record of broken promises!