RP Exceeds Target in Stand Up Campaign: 2.4 Million Filipinos Stood Up Against Poverty

In a feisty show of unity and strength  2,411,121 Filipinos from Baguio in Northern Luzon to Sulu and Tawi-Tawi in Southern Mindanao joined the Tumayo Tayo Pilipinas Campaign (Stand Up Against Poverty) in numerous events held by the UN System in the Philippines and its partners from the government, non-government organizations, private sector, academe and media on the eve of Oct. 15 up until the eve of Oct. 16.

The UN in the Philippines and its partners had initially aimed to have at least 1 million Filipinos joining the campaign.  Instead, they breezed past their target by 100% at the close of counting on Oct. 16.  Even after the official receipt of reports from across the country had ended, numerous organizations still continued to send in their attendance reports, signifying huge support from various stakeholders from all walks of life.

Stand Up Against Poverty, the rallying event of the United Nations’ Millennium Campaign to raise awareness on the Millennium Development Goals, now holds the official record title in the Guinness World Record for having the most number of people to “Stand Up Against Poverty” in 24 hours on 15-16 October with a total of 23,542,614 people from 87 countries who participated in 11,646 events around the globe. 

The bulk of the numbers came from Asia and the Pacific, with an aggregate total of 18 million who rallied behind the MDG awareness campaign.  In Asia and Pacific, India topped the race for the number of people at 9,731,983.  Nepal came in second with 3,131,584 while the Philippines was third at 2,411,121.  Other countries in Asia Pacific which participated included Bali, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Nepal, Republic of Maldives, Pakistan, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam and others.

Topping the list for the top 10 organizations which had the most number of participants in the country was DepEd, Region 3-Central Luzon, with 1,772,202 participants, followed by Dep Ed Region 3-Bulacan, 358,300; DepEd Region 9-Davao, 220,568; DepEd Nueva Ecija, 190,470; DepEd Region 10-Davao Oriental, 83,191; Philippine UN White Helmets Commission and Association, 80,560; DepEd-Nueva Ecija (2nd report) with 43,717; DepEd Region -Dagupan with 29,313; DepEd Zambales with 25,582 and DepEd-Gapan City, 22,377.
 
The official counting in the Philippines was validated and officiated by representatives from the Sycip, Gorres, Velayo & Co. accounting firm, a UN partner for the Philippine campaign dubbed Tumayo Tayo Pilipinas.  Details and photos of the campaign may be downloaded at www.millenniumcampaign.ph

The Tumayo Tayo Pilipinas campaign aimed to raise awareness on the state of poverty in the country in the context of meeting the MDGs by 2015.  The campaign also celebrated the significant local gains made for the achievement of the MDGs and called on duty-bearers to hurdle the complex challenges facing the country ahead. 

In September 2000, 191 UN-member countries, rich and poor alike, reaffirmed their commitment to peace and security, good governance and attention to the most vulnerable with the adoption of the Millennium Declaration.  Containing commitments to achieve the eight MDGs, the declaration reflects the vision of entire nations, working together with international and country-based organizations to wipe out poverty and the worst forms of human deprivation and lay the foundations for sustainable human development by 2015.

Tumayo Tayo Pilipinas featured a lead flag-raising ceremony integrating the Tumayo Tayo pledge, read in Filipino by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.  It was organized by government officials led by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, National Anti-Poverty Commission, Office of the PA on Culture, Department of Education, Department of Social Welfare and Development and the League of Municipalities, among others.  Similar Tumayo Tayo moments were integrated in flag-raising ceremonies held at the Senate, Congress and Supreme Court, demonstrating the full participation of the legislative, executive and judiciary branches of government.

On center stage was the MDG Festival held in Marikina City, an MDG resource city.  An MDG Rock Concert was held on Oct. 15 at Freedom Park in Marikina, followed by the Marikina City flag-raising Tumayo Tayo moment, partners exhibitions, social artistry programme showcase, the launch of the UN’s World Investment Report 2006, a Konsyertong Bayan Laban sa Kahirapan and the UNDP’s Galing Pook Special Citation on Local Capacity Innovations for the MDGs.

 The UN’s various partners for the campaign staged their own events.  In Baguio City, the Philippine Non-Government Organization Council  had comedians, clowns and artists painting sad faces to get people to sign a petition condemning widespread poverty.

In Quezon City, the Global Call for Action Against Poverty, another UN partner for the campaign, formed a human chain, signifying unity against poverty.  Other events were also held in Los Banos, Laguna, Pampanga, Eastern Samar, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi and various parts of the country.
 
Source: UN Philippines 

Over 20 Million People “Stand Up Against Poverty” to set new Guinness World Record, announced on World Poverty Day

(New York / London, 17 October 2006) Guinness World Records have officially verified that the  first ever world record has been set for the most number of people to Stand Up against poverty in multiple locations over 24 hours.

On 15-16 October, 23,542,614 people, in over eighty countries around the world set a new Guinness World Record for the largest number of people to “STAND UP AGAINST POVERTY”. The Stand Up record attempt, an initiative of the United Nations Millennium Campaign in partnership with the Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP) was set in time for the United Nations International Day for Poverty Eradication on 17 October.
 
Cricket fans in Jaipur, India; school children in Gaza and the Westbank; crowds at a concert in the Mbare slums, Zimbabwe and a huge gathering in Times Square New York all joined for the world record attempt. People stood together: at the foot of tallest hotel in the world in Dubai; in football stadiums across Spain and Mexico; in churches throughout Africa and schools all over the world including China.

At each event, people stood up and pledged their solidarity with the world’s poorest people and demanded that governments take urgent action to end poverty and inequality and to meet and exceed the Millennium Development Goals.
The UN Millennium Campaign’s Executive Coordinator Eveline Herfkens said:  “Together we have set an incredible record for the largest number of people standing up to demand action on poverty. But the record we really want to break is the world’s record of breaking promises and ignoring the poor. We don’t want to record numbers of people dying of poverty every year.  This is the great issue of our times, let us become great by dealing with it decisively.” 
In Johannesburg, Kumi Naidoo, spokesperson for the world’s largest anti-poverty coalition – the Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP) said: “Ordinary people around the world have stood up to express their passion to end poverty. Together, we have sent a clear message to our political leaders that we are going to keep pushing them to deliver on aid, on debt cancellation, on trade justice and to provide good and accountable governments. The people’s voices are growing louder. We will not rest until poverty is ended”.

United by the international symbol of the white band, the World Record number will be announced at events held at the United Nations in New York, London, Johannesburg, Milan and Nairobi today.
– Ends –

Media Contacts:
Millennium Campaign: Mandy Kibel +1 212 906 6242 mandy.kibel@undp.org
Anand Kantaria   +1 212 906 6783 anand.kantaria@undp.org
GCAP Sarah Jenkinson +44 7810 180237 or media@whiteband.org

For more information visit: www.standagainstpoverty.org OR www.whiteband.org

Notes to Editors and Producers:

1. Broadcast footage and photographs from “Stand Up Against Poverty” events around the world  available from:

For footage:  ftp.whitebandmedia.org
username: gcapftpdownload
password: dyrzx8gZ

ftp://undp:eedee38@ftp.standagainstpoverty.org//MEDIA

Broadcast material also available from Reuters and APTV

For photos visit: ftp://undp:eedee38@ftp.standagainstpoverty.org//MEDIA
www.box.net User name: Gcap Media 1 Password: Gcap Media 1
2. ‘Stand Up’ country highlights

• In Jaipur, India 38,000 cricket fans, with support from legendary batsman, Sachin Tendulkar, ‘stood up’ at the start of the India vs England match.
• In the US, United Nations Deputy Secretary General Mark Malloch Brown, Queen Noor of Jordan and HH Swami Ramdev ‘stood up’ with thousands in Times Square, New York.
• Hundreds of thousands stood together for one minute at an anti-poverty music concert in Mbare slums in the capital, Harare, Zimbabwe.
• School children across Lebanon, Jordan, Gaza and Westbank ‘stood up’ together to highlight the injustice that not all children can afford to go to school.
• Organisers in Bangladesh have reported figures of over half a million young people who stood united in gigantic white human chains across across 64 districts of the country.
• Malawi’s President, Dr Bingu wa Mutharika joined thousands at a rally against poverty in the capital.
• In the Philippines, president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo “Stood Up” and vowed to stamp out poverty.
• In Mexico, several hundred thousand people stood up at football matches lead by 9 Football Clubs

Visit www.standagainstpoverty.org or www.whiteband.org for full list of events from around the world
3. OFFICIAL Guinness Verification text

“ The world record for the most people to ‘Stand Up Against Poverty’ in 24 hours was set on 15 – 16 October 2006 for the United Nation’s Millennium Campaign and involved a massive total of 23,542,614 participants in 11,646 events around the globe.”

4.  The Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP) is a coalition of anti-poverty and economic justice campaigns. GCAP brings together a diverse group of organisations united in the knowledge that we will be more effective when we work together.

We want to pressure governments to eradicate poverty, dramatically lessen inequality, and achieve the Millennium Development Goals. We are demanding:
a.    Public accountability, just governance and the fulfilment of human rights
b.    Trade justice
c.    A major increase in the quantity and quality of aid and financing for development
d.    Debt cancellation

Since it launched at the World Social Forum in January 2005 GCAP has mobilised more than 38 million citizens. Faith groups, women’s groups, trade unions, youth organisations, international NGOs, grassroots movements and numerous other civil society groups for the backbone of the national campaigns whose symbol is the is the white band.

5. United Nations Millennium Campaign

The UN Millennium Campaign supports citizens’ efforts to hold their governments to account for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.

6. To find out more about Stand Up Against Poverty visit www.whiteband.org and www.standagainstpoverty.org

A Million Pinoys to STAND UP Against Poverty

For one entire day – from 6 p.m., October 15 until 6 p.m., October 16 – one million Filipinos from all walks of life – students, teachers, priests, nuns, government workers, private employees, indigenous peoples, musicians and artists – will join millions of others worldwide to pledge themselves to make poverty history by 2015. This event is part of the UN month celebration.

Launched by the UN Millennium Campaign, STAND UP is a global advocacy effort to have the greatest number of people ever to STAND UP Against Poverty and for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Within a 24-hour period, people from all over the globe will physically and symbolically STAND UP to communicate their desire to fight poverty. This is also expected to set an official Guinness World Record.

The Millennium Development Goals or MDGs are a set of eight time-bound, concrete and specific targets to halve extreme poverty by 2015. These goals are: eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; achieve universal primary education; promote gender equality and empower women; reduce child mortality; improve maternal health; combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; ensure environmental sustainability; and develop global partnerships for development.

The Philippine campaign, dubbed TUMAYO TAYO: Labanan Ang Kahirapan, Tuparin Ang MDGs is spearheaded by the United Nations System, together with partners from government, civil society, NGOs, the business sector, academe and the mass media. Tumayo Tayo is only one of many events connected with the commemoration of the UN month this October. Activities on the ground will consist of:

• Tumayo Tayo Moments during Flag-Raising Ceremonies in Malacañang, government agencies and schools – Through the National Commission for Culture and Arts (NCCA), there will be simultaneous flag-raising ceremonies to be conducted on the morning of October 16. At 7:30 a.m., President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will lead a flag-raising ceremony in Malacañang (attended by the UN Country Team) with a Tumayo Tayo Moment which features reading the pledge to stand up against poverty. At 8:30 a.m., simultaneous flag-raising ceremonies will take place in the Senate, Congress and the Supreme Court with a Tumayo Tayo Moment.

• The Tumayo Tayo Festival, as the central event from October 15-16, at the Marikina Freedom Park. This will consist of cultural shows; concerts with local pop bands, performers, artists, and dancers; exhibits; workshops; and presentations – all highlighting the MDGs. There will be Tumayo Tayo Moments all throughout the Festival, with the audience standing up and pledging to make poverty history. News feeds, greetings and official counts from the other Tumayo Tayo events around the country will also be flashed from time to time in the Festival venue.

• Local Tumayo Tayo Events in different regions and provinces, including Baguio City, Los Baños, Laguna, Sultan Kudarat, Tawi-Tawi and Sulu.

For those who want to join the Tumayo Tayo Event, please register your organization’s name
at http://www.millenniumcampaign.ph.

The Philippine STAND UP network consists of all United Nations organizations in the Philippines and 64 partner organizations and institutions. Further inquiries can be directed to: Ms. Agnes Aliman (UNDP) – 901-0230/ agnes.aliman@undp.org; Mr. JP Agcaoili (UNDP) – 901-0241/ johnpete.agcaoili@undp.org; Ms. Charmaine Cu-Unjieng (UNRC) – 901-0401/ charmaine.cu-unjieng@undp.org; and, Ms. Mari Achacoso – 338-5522/ achacosom@unicmanila.org.

RP joining global UN anti-poverty event

THE United Nations Information Center (UNIC) and UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in the Philippines, in coordination with the Geneva-based UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), will launch the World Investment Report 2006 (WIR06) at the MCF Hall of the Marikina City Hall on Monday.

The UNCTAD’s flagship publication, the WIR06 “highlights the changing role of developing countries and transition economies in global foreign direct investment and the international production system” and “examines their emergence as significant sources of foreign direct investment as well as the underlying factors and broader implications,” a UNIC press statement said.

The launch of the report coincides with the second day of the Philippines’ participation in the UN-sponsored Millennium Development Goals (MDG) Festival, Stand Up, which the UNIC described as a “global advocacy effort to have the greatest number of people ever to stand up against poverty and for the MDGs” and is part of the observance of UN months this October.

“Within a 24-hour period, people from all over the globe will physically and symbolically stand up to communicate their desire to fight poverty,” the UNIC said. “This is also expected to set an official Guinness World Record.”

The MDGs are a set of eight targets intended to “halve extreme poverty by 2015,” the UNIC said.

These goals are: the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger; achieving universal primary education; promoting gender equality and empowering women; reducing child mortality; improving material health; combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; ensuring environmental sustainability; and developing global partnerships for development.

The Philippine campaign, named “Tumayo Tayo: Labanan ang Kahirapan, Tuparin ang MDGs” (Let us Stand: Fight Poverty, Accomplish the MDGs), runs from 6 p.m. on October 15, Sunday, to 6 p.m. the next day at the Freedom Park of Marikina City.

Activities include a rock concert from 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday and a day-long fair on Monday that will feature exhibits, film showings and performance by various artists.

Also on Monday, “Tumayo Tayo Moments” organized by the National Commission for Culture and Arts will be observed during simultaneous flag-raising ceremonies in Malacañang — to be led by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo — government agencies and schools.

Tumayo Tayo events will also be held in different regions and provinces, including Baguio City, Los Baños, Laguna, Sultan Kudarat, Tawi-Tawi and Sulu.

Those who wish to participate in Tumayo Tayo events can register their organizations at www.millenniumcampaign.ph.
 
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Tumayo Tayo Rock Concert. 4 p.m. at Freedom Park, Marikina City

Launched by the Millennium Campaign, STAND UP is a global advocacy effort to set an official Guinness World Record – the greatest number of people ever to STAND UP Against Poverty and for the Millennium Development Goals – on October 15-16 2006. Within a 24-hour period, people from all over the globe will physically and symbolically “STAND UP” to communicate their desire to fight poverty and to hold governments and leaders accountable for promises to end poverty by 2015. The purpose of this action is to raise awareness of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and to publicly demonstrate to policy makers the growing global support for the achievement of the MDGs and for the strengthening of development policies worldwide.

STAND UP is a mobilization initiative designed to coincide with global mobilizations around the International Day of Poverty Eradication and the White Band Day of the Global Call to Action against Poverty. It relies fully on citizen participation in that it mobilizes all individuals everywhere to take part in local, group events around the world through which they use their bodies (aside from their voices) as concrete symbols of MDG advocacy. To ensure the inclusion of those not physically able to stand up, a symbolic act of raising a hand, wearing a white band (the symbol of the global fight against poverty), or holding up a banner with the “Stand Up Against Poverty“ message will also be counted.

Tumayo Tayo Flag Raising Ceremony in Malacañang

 Tumayo Tayo moment with Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Malacañang staff and employees, Cabinet Secretaries with UN family in the Philippines.

Tumayo Tayo Marikina Flag Raising Ceremony at Freedom Park, Marikina City. Tumayo Tayo moment with LGU officials and employees .

Tumayo Tayo MDG Fair, 8 a.m.–3 p.m. at Freedom Park, Marikina City. – MDG Programme to include videos, cultural shows, booths, arts and culture show, livelihood booths.