Global call to action against poverty

Dear all,

most of you might have noticed that there is a worldwide action against poverty going on at the moment. There were already the Live8-concerts this year in July for which I have been to Edinburgh. The global campaign is callded "Global Call to Action Against Povert" www.whiteband.org, the german version is "Deine Stimme gegen Armut". On Saturday, 10th September 2005, there is the second White Band Day to wake up our politicians to the poverty in the world. At the UN-Summit next week in New York they should decide on better and more development aid, debt cancelation and trade justice.

For the White Band Day, Indienhilfe e.V. organises a huge rally at the Kurpark in Herrsching. At 14 hrs we start with the formation of a human chain along the coast of lake Ammersee to build a long white band. Ath 14:30 hrs when the chain is standing, we will wake up our politicians to the poverty and injustice in the world by ringing lots of alarm clocks. After that, there will be stage programme with short lectures, music and dance shows. To avoid starving people, there will be buffett with sweet and salty snacks and a small barbecue. For further information see www.indienhilfe-herrsching.de or the attached press release (in german).

At the moment, we are trying to get some stars for the event. We have contacted several actors, musicians, theaters, FC Bayern, TSV 1860...If you any celebrities, please let me know or bring them on Saturday!

To make the chain as long as possible, I need all of you! Come to Herrsching on Saturday, 10th September 2005 at 14 hrs, wear a white T-Shirt and bring your loudest ringing alarm clock to raise your voice against poverty and injustice in this world! Bring as many friends as possible.

-- German version

Hallo Ihr Lieben!

Einige von Euch haben es bestimmt schon mitbekommen, dass es im Moment eine große weltweite Aktion gegen Armut gibt. Im Juli fanden in diesem Zusammenhang die Live8-Konzerte statt, für die ich auch in Edinburgh war. Die weltweite Aktion heißt "Global Call to Action against Poverty", die deutsche Version "Deine Stimme gegen Armut" (www.deine-stimme-gegen-armut.de). Am Samstag, den 10.09.2005 findet nun der zweite weltweite Aktionstag gegen Armut statt, der die Regierungschef der UN-Staaten dazu aufrufen soll, sich beim UN-Gipfel nächste Woche in New York für bessere und mehr Entwicklungszusammenarbeit, Schuldenerlass und einen gerechteren Welthandel einzusetzen.

Im Rahmen dieses weltweiten Aktionstages veranstaltet die Indienhilfe e.V. eine große Kundgebung im Herrschinger Kurpark. Beginn ist um 14 Uhr mit einer Menschenkette, die ein langes weißes Band, das Symbol der weltweiten Kampagne, entlang des Ufers des Ammersees spannen wird. Um 14:30, wenn die Kette steht, soll der Weckruf gegen Armut ertönen und die Politiker zum Handeln aufwecken. Anschließend folgt ein abwechslungsreiches Programm auf einer Bühne: Vorträge, Musik und Show wechseln sich ab. Für das leibliche Wohl sorgt ein Buffett mit süßen und herzhaften Snacks sowie ein Grillstand. Genaueres zum Programm findet Ihr unter www.indienhilfe-herrsching.de bzw. in der Pressemeldung im Anhang.

Im Moment versuchen wir noch, einige berühmte Persönlichkeiten für die Aktion zu gewinnen. Wir haben an diverse Schauspieler, Künstleragenturen, Theater, den FC Bayern und die Löwen gemailt...vielleicht kommt ja doch einer...Falls jemand von Euch gute Kontakte zu jemandem hat, bin ich für jede Telefonnummer dankbar...

Damit unsere Menschenkette ganz, ganz lang wird, brauche ich Euch alle! Kommt am Samstag, den 10.09.2005 um 14 Uhr mit einem weißen T-Shirt und Eurem lautest rasselndem Wecker nach Herrsching und setzt ein Zeichen gegen die Armut und Ungerechtigkeit auf dieser Welt!!! Bringt so viele Freunde, Verwandte und Bekannte mit.

This sounds like a good thing. We could make a fun day out of it while calling attention to a worthy cause.

Your topic title could be improved though.

You do realise that not the entire shoreline of Ammersee has public access don't you?

@Katrina - you do realise that this isn't being organised by just Xargon? The Kurpark is public access.

The Kurpark may well be but if they want to make a human chain around Ammersee (as stated in the original post - read it and see), they won't be able to.
Seeing as a certain gentleman lives in Schorndorf am Ammersee, there might just be a reason why I know this.

It says "formation of a human chain along the coast of lake Ammersee". Not a loop all the way around.

Meowwwww

Well then it is just a bunch of folk standing on a shoreline holding hands in small groups.
Which is what the Ammersee looks like everyday (folk taking their kids for a walk etc.).
Where's the visual impact in that?
Hope they use public transport because roads to the smaller villages are pretty narrow.
NancyDrew - stop trying to stir things up, it is so unattractive. But it also proves conclusively to kza that you are not one of my other log-ins. Thanks.

@Katrtina
I couldn't help myself, things seemed to be getting a bit "snitty".
No problem: hey, kza, Katrina is not me. I would not have conversations with myself on a public forum.

I think it's quite amusing. And she does have a good point (that word was already going through my head reading down the posts...) However, a bit off-topic.

Also, if people want to do something to help combat poverty, why rain on their parade? I'm sure it will get some coverage if it's big enough and well organized, regardless of whether it's a long chain or an encirclement.

Regardless of whether or not the event will have enough 'visual impact' for Katrina, I wouldn't belittle the effort going into organising a charitable gesture for the cause of ending world hunger.

Completely agree. The cause is a noble one and you have my support if I can give it.

I don't think Katrina was 'raining on their parade', she was trying to be helpful in case the organiser didn't know about her point. Leave her alone

I'm confused now. I thought they were goiung to be standing in a line by the lake. Now there's going to be marching as well. Aw crap.

I think its more typical of katrina to rain on the lake itself, and the parade just gets wet when the levee breaks.

Thanks UA.
The reason that I mentioned the lack of visual impact is that visual impact would create more media coverage and thus more awareness.
And more awareness for the issue is what the organisers would want to achieve.
Otherwise folk could just have organised something where all those interested wear white while standing in their kitchens at home.
The human chain across Berlin following the former line of the Berlin Wall on the anniversary of the ending of WWII earlier this year was a case in point.

Kza, I now have a riff on a loop on my internal jukebox - Led Zep-tastic

Well, sorry for replying late. Work is kicking my ass.

I am not actually in charge of organizing this event. So I am not exactly sure of the complete specifics. I can find it out and let you guys know tomorrow. I am associated with the organization in conducting educational projects in India. However, I am sure people involved in organizing this have thought of all this and should have things under control. As far as the visual impact goes, it depends on how many people actually participate.

It is on Saturday afternoon, if you have nothing better to do, hop on down.

@xargon: Thanks for posting our event! It is great to see that so many people took notice of it and discuss on in!

I can assure you that we are aware on those things mentioned. We are not covering all around the lake, only an area of few kilometers starting from the Kurpark in Herrsching. It would have been great to have a white human chain all around the lake - maybe we can take that as a target for 2010 or 2015 when the Millenium Development Goals are finally fullfilled! As we have registerd the event at all official places, there is also no problem in using the public spaces.

@Katrina: We will definitely not look like the everyday people in Kurpark! We have white band of 800 meters of white bed sheets which will be held up by the people forming the chain. And we try to include all the people walking around there or sitting in the nearby beergardens so that will be definitely not be the everyday look of Kurpark! And all our alarm clocks will also give a sound to the Kurpark which is usually not heard there!

@Keydeck: There is no long walking, just to form the chain, the people have to walk a bit along the coast. They will be led by a guy with drums so that everybody knows where to go. But the "final chain" will be standing.

@all the others: Thanks for defending our action and giving positive feedback!

If you have any further questions, see http://www.indienhilfe-herrsching.de

Best thing to see how we have overcome all obstacles is to come to Herrsching on Saturday, 10.09.2005 at 14 hrs and join the event!

So, see you there...

You're welcome. I'll try to be there.