One year ago the G8 Summit was focused on ending poverty. The world watched as G8 leaders signed the Gleneagles communiqué and promised to cancel crushing debts, increase aid and tackle poverty through trade. Though some real progress has been made, poverty slipped off the priority list this year. Health and education were on the agenda but were overshadowed by oil and security. By downplaying the fight against poverty, the G8 ignored the world's most critical crisis, one that will kill 11 million children by the time they next meet. Next year Chancellor Merkel must put the fight against poverty at the heart of the G8 agenda.
The 36 million people who campaigned last year to make poverty history are still watching and will hold these leaders accountable for inaction at this year’s summit. Latest17 July 2006Apart from last year's breakthrough on debt cancellation, the G8 is failing to live up to its promises on aid and trade. We are continuing to urge leaders to follow through on their commitments made last year. By downplaying the fight against poverty, the G8 ignored the world's most critical crisis, one that will kill 11 million children by the time they next meet.
17 July 2006St. Petersburg, July 17 – The fight against poverty was crowded out in St. Petersburg, but G8 leaders will return to the issue next year. It is now up to German Chancellor Angela Merkel to put the priority on poverty, the world’s most pressing problem. “Chancellor Merkel must rise to the challenge of the age,” said Joern Kalinski, Oxfam policy advisor. “It is well within our resources to end poverty, but we need someone to lead the charge.”
17 July 2006After reviewing the G8's own performance report on the Gleneagles package for Africa, Oxfam released this reaction and commentary on the first year assessment of the Gleneagles pledges. “There has been progress on Africa in the last year but it is far from substantial, despite what the G8 leaders said today. We’re pleased that they’ve agreed to regular performance reviews on Africa and we hope they can give the world a performance to be proud of in Germany next year,” said Max Lawson, Policy Advisor, Oxfam.
16 July 2006A last-ditch G8 attempt to revive failing trade talks will only succeed if American and European leaders substantially change course, said Oxfam International today.
More information16 July 200614 July 200611 July 2006 |
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Article from Oxfam International:
http://www.oxfam.org/en/programs/campaigns/endpoverty/G8_2006
Published:
12
July
2006
