FAQ

What is STAND UP and TAKE ACTION?

STAND UP and TAKE ACTION is the third annual Stand Up mobilization coordinated by the Millennium Campaign and the Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP) to coincide with the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on October 17.

Stand Up is a massive global mobilization and advocacy efforts to put pressure on world leaders to take action on poverty and to meet and exceed the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

In 2006, for the first ever Stand Up mobilization, 23.5 million people Stood Up on one day in a massive and unique global call to action against poverty and inequality and set a new world record. In 2007, people in 127 countries took part in Stand Up and Speak Out and broke the record with a remarkable 43.7 million people taking part. In 2008, from October 17 – 19, people all over the world are called upon to Stand Up and Take Action against poverty and inequality and for the MDGs.

The purpose of this action is to raise awareness of the (MDGs) and the root causes of poverty, and to publicly demonstrate to policy makers the growing global support for the achievement and exceeding of the MDGs and for the strengthening of development policies in both Northern and Southern countries.

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Why do you want people to STAND UP and TAKE ACTION?

As Nelson Mandela said “Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings.” The act of Standing Up and Taking Action is a strong statement. We have shown that we can have a strong political impact by telling our leaders, and citizens around the world, that civil society is ready to mobilize in massive numbers to demand that there are no excuses for not achieving, and exceeding, the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. We also hope to keep expanding our campaign by uniting firmly all civil society actors in the fight against poverty and inequality.

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How can I get involved?

Either join an existing event or gather your friends, colleagues and family and create your own STAND UP and TAKE ACTION event. Download our event toolkit to find out how.

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What time does the STAND UP and TAKE ACTION challenge start and finish?

The STAND UP and TAKE ACTION challenge will take place from October 17 – October 19 in any local time zone.

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My event falls out of this time slot, can it still be counted?

Any events outside this time will not count for the world record, however of course, the action still counts! The STAND UP and TAKE ACTION challenge is part of a series of actions against poverty and inequality around October 17th so please let us know about your events so your initiative can be recorded as part of this wider mobilisation.

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How can I organize my own event?

  1. Identify a local public space which is in a central location –town or village square, city hall, marketplace, park, school, office, university campus, etc.
  2. Decide on event theme: e.g. music concert, theatre group, dance performance, carnival, rap concert, street theater, film screening or just a simple gathering of friends, family and colleagues.
  3. Decide on who will lead the event. A person from within your group or a high profile person/celebrity from the community. They can be asked to be master of ceremonies at the event.
  4. Inform everyone via e-mail, letter, fliers, posters etc about this mobilization day. Invite them to come and join this global challenge.
  5. Where appropriate inform relevant local or national media that event is taking place.

Download our event toolkit to find out more.

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What happens at my event on Oct 17-19?

The actual STAND UP and TAKE ACTION moment must be coordinated to take place at a suitable time during your event. The following steps should be taken:

  1. An event organiser, mayor, group leader, society president, CEO or other relevant figure (“an announcer”) will ask everyone gathered to come together and sit/kneel down.
  2. The announcer gives a brief explanation of the STAND UP and TAKE ACTION initiative. Why we are doing this: A world record attempt to STAND UP and TAKE ACTION against poverty and inequality, in support of the MDGs, for promises that must be kept to end poverty by 2015
  3. The announcer asks the gathered crowd to count down from ten with them and then at “0” everyone will STAND UP and TAKE ACTION together for one minute. (Disabled people can perform any appropriate action to show they are taking a stand or just be present).
  4. During this one minute the “announcer” or other appropriate figure may read the STAND UP and TAKE ACTION pledge on behalf of those gathered. The pledge will have space to include messages relevant to individual organizations holding these events.
  5. After the STAND UP and TAKE ACTION moment and the reading of the pledge the “announcer” informs the audience that “x” number of people have Stood Up at this event and their efforts will be logged as part of the record setting attempt and total numbers of people Standing Up around the world against poverty.
  6. After this the event can continue as scheduled. Although don’t forget to take pictures and register your numbers so that it is counted for the world record attempt!

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I have an existing event on October 17, 18 or 19, can I still be involved in STAND UP?

YES, the STAND UP and TAKE ACTION moment has been designed so that it can also be inserted into existing events that are already taking place.

Some examples of this could be:

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How do I register my event?

Click here to register your event

Click here to find full instructions on registering your event

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What do I need to do for my STAND UP and TAKE ACTION event to be part of the World Record?

All the action takes place within the period of October 17 – October 19 in your local time zone.

In order to be counted, you will need to register your event before it takes place and then after the event make sure you record the number of people who Stood Up

Final numbers need to be entered by 19:00GMT on October 20th. The website www.timeanddate.com can tell you how many hours you are ahead or behind GMT.

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How can I be counted for the Guinness World Record attempt?

If you are attending an existing event, you will automatically be counted and registered by event organizers. If you are organizing your own event you will need to register your STAND UP and TAKE ACTION numbers online for them to be counted.

Numbers can be submitted by completing the registration form at the at www.standagainstpoverty.org website by 19h00GMT on October 20.

Who’s involved in STAND UP?

For the STAND UP and TAKE ACTION challenge partners will be joining forces across the world, including the Millenium Campaign, the Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP), and its national campaigns , trade unions, faith based groups, local governments, youth groups, Parliamentarians, sporting associations, media and other key actors. Most of all Stand Up is about individuals around the world Taking Action together.

The STAND UP and TAKE ACTION challenge is designed to coincide with global mobilizations around the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

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What support can we get if organizing an event?

There are a range of materials available on the website for download at www.standagainstpoverty.org.

These materials can be adapted and used for your event to produce posters, banners, T-Shirts, fliers, placards etc.

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Can disabled people be included in the STAND UP and TAKE ACTION challenge?

To ensure the inclusion of those not physically able to STAND UP and TAKE ACTION i.e. disabled people, a symbolic act of raising a hand, wearing a white band or holding up a banner with the “STAND UP and TAKE ACTION Against Poverty” message on it will also be counted. In these cases, rather than rising from a sitting position, symbolically “standing up” will also be taken to mean “taking a stand” against poverty.

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