April 28, 2005
Publication title: Canada NewsWire, vol. -, Iss. -, pg. –
Place: Vancouver
Writer: Unknown
Make Poverty History Launches Cross-Canada Celebrity Ad Campaign
VANCOUVER, April 28 /CNW Telbec/ – The Make Poverty History Campaign today launched a major ad campaign to promote its white band campaign in Canada with TV ads featuring Bono, Sarah McLachlan, Brad Pitt, Cameron Diaz, Jamie Foxx, Tom Hanks, and Bob Geldof.
“The number of people in Canada and around the world who support the campaign is growing every day,” said Gerry Barr, co-chair of the Make Poverty History Steering Committee. “We hope the Canadian government will join in the global effort to Make Poverty History.”
The star-studded promo will air in prime time on CBC, CTV, and Global Television starting Thursday, April 28, and can be viewed at makepovertyhistory.ca. Print ads featuring singer Sarah McLachlan will also run in the Globe and Mail, Vancouver Sun and elsewhere.
Make Poverty History is part of a global call to action against poverty. National campaigns are currently active in over 50 countries. The Canadian campaign will feature “white band actions” throughout 2005. The kick-off is this Friday, April 29 at St. Andrew’s Wesley at the corner of Burrard and Nelson in Vancouver, where a white band will be wrapped around the church. This action is to coincide with U2 concerts scheduled this week.
Canada has committed, by 2015, to spending 0.7 per cent of its annual national income on foreign aid to end poverty.
“Even with the recent deal struck between the Liberals and NDP, Canada will be nowhere near the 0.7 target in 2015,” noted Maria- Luisa Monreal, co- chair of the Make Poverty History Steering Committee.
Bono recently expressed his disappointment with Canada for failing to live up to its promises, and is now urging Canadians to call Prime Minister Paul Martin (613-992-4211) and demand Canada meet its 2015 commitment.
Every day, poverty kills 50,000 people worldwide, including 30,000 children. Make Poverty History challenges the Canadian government and other G8 nations to provide more and better aid to developing countries, make trade fair and cancel the debt of the poorest countries.
