[Stand Up Against Poverty] Virtual world stands up against poverty

Last year, millions of people worldwide called on the world's leaders to Make Poverty History through a series of high-profile events revolving around the 31st G8 Summit held in Gleneagles, Scotland, in July 2005. The symbol of the campaign was a white wristband which was worn on the wrists of eight million people in the UK alone.

The white band was branded a worldwide symbol in the fight against poverty by the Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP), the world's largest ever anti-poverty movement. GCAP is made up of a diverse range of organisations, all committed to the fight against poverty, which represent more than 150 million people in more than 100 countries.

On the eve of the G8 meeting in Gleneagles, around 250,000 campaigners dressed in white flooded Edinburgh's streets in a peaceful protest, encircling Scotland's capital and wrapping it in an enormous human white band designed to be easily seen from the sky. At the same time billions of people around the world tuned into the Live 8 concerts staged across the world.

The G8 response was to promise the "full cancellation of debts to the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and African Development Fund, for those countries that complete the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative." So far US$35 billion of debt has been cancelled and, if all 40 potentially eligible countries qualify, the deal could offer the cancellation of US$50 billion in total.

However, organisations such as Oxfam International still feel that not enough has been done. A spokesman recently stated:

"The richest countries of the world promised to help developing countries halve poverty, reduce child mortality by two thirds, and ensure every child gets a free and good quality primary education - all by 2015. There remains a huge gap between promises and action."

Aid organisations worldwide appear to agree with Oxfam, in that the G8 countries have yet to deliver on their promise of a trade deal that works for the world’s poorest people.

In 2005, poverty was placed at the top of the global agenda by the Make Poverty History campaign. This autumn, from the 14th of September to the 17th of October, the white band makes its return as the global anti-poverty symbol. This year's Global Month of Action will see millions of people in more than 100 countries uniting to continue the fight against poverty through the Stand Up Against Poverty campaign; this movement culminates on October 17 with the fourth Global White Band Day.

An official Guinness World Record attempt will be held by Stand Up Against Poverty from 11.00 AM (GMT) on Sunday the 15th of October to 11.00 AM (GMT) on Monday the 16th of October. While people are being asked to physically 'stand up against poverty', in order to ensure that everyone can take part and be counted the online world has also provided a 3-D virtual stand up solution.

Second Life's virtual community of 902,643 (and counting!) residents have been invited to show their support by wearing virtual white wrist bands and T-shirts and by posing in a special "stand up" stance. All residents have to do is locate a "Stand Up" kiosk and obtain a free wrist band. There are apparently nearly a hundred Kiosks around the grid already. Residents can go further by requesting that a kiosk be hosted on their virtual land, so they can hold parties to drum up further virtual support. On October the 15th and 16th, participating residents will click on their wrist band to assume the "stand up" pose, then they will register themselves as a participant in the World Record attempt and as a supporter of the Stand Up Against Poverty campaign. Virtual participation will be recorded and included in the final count for the Guinness World Record.