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Africa
is most definitely on the agenda!
Letter from the Chair of WVCP Helen Gough:
So, it’s the
start of a new year –what does that mean for WVCP? Well, one
thing is for sure, we couldn’t have timed our work better. Africa is most definitely on the global agenda for
2005. From listening to the news and researching for the radio
programme that Yaina and I were invited onto, I have come across a lot of
information that reinforces that what we’re doing is exactly the
right thing, and that it’s exactly the right time to be doing it.
I wanted to share
some of the facts, figures and global information with you – some of
which I’m sure you already know, other facts you may find surprising,
or more hopefully shocking.
During 2005, Britain holds the presidency of both the
European Union and the G8 (8 nations from Europe, Asia and North America who meet to discuss the major global
issues being faced that year)). This places Britain in
a powerful position to push forward the issues of Fair Trade, debt
cancellation and International Aid. Now is the time for us to get
behind Tony Blair and show that we care about these issues. During
Tony Blair’s presidency of the G8 he has chosen only 2 major issue to
focus on – 1 of them is Africa! www.g8.gov.uk
Already this year a
multinational conference has taken place in Switzerland
to discuss the economic and health issues facing Africa.
It was attended by world leaders and celebrities alike. Perhaps most
notably Sharon Stone who encouraged the attendees to donate hundred of
thousands of dollars to buy mosquito nets in an attempt to stem malarial
epidemics.
You may also be
aware of the huge campaign that is taking place at the moment called
“Make Poverty History”. Charities such as Oxfam, CAFOD
and Christian Aid are all important players in this campaign and are
promoting the wearing of the white wrist and arm bands.
Again, a host of
celebrities are backing this cause, including Bono and Dawn French, along
with the cast of the Vicar of Dibley (for those who watched over
Christmas). This is something we can link into, and is a fantastic
way for WVCP to become part of a larger movement and really feed into this
year’s global agenda. You can find out more about this on our
Make Poverty History page.
OK, I’m sure
by now you can see how important this year is, and how high the profile of
Africa is, but - if you still need a bit of convincing of how
important our work is or you need an incentive to get your bum off the sofa
and do something, then read on.
Sierra Leone is the poorest country in the
world, that’s poorer than Sudan
or Ethiopia.
It is ranked the lowest in terms of life expectancy, access to education
and general standard of living. The average life expectancy is
disputed but the highest quoted is 45, the lowest is 34. Compare this
to the average life expectancy of someone living in Britain
– 77. Due to the low life expectancy and the effects of the
civil war –the average population age in Sierra Leone today is
17.5!
There is currently
no accurate data available for the population count in Sierra Leone as a whole, let a lone for Waterloo.
Thousands of civilians remain unaccounted for, either because they have
been killed, or were displaced during the war and have not yet
returned. It is estimated that over 10,000 children were abducted
during the war, either to be mutilated or forced into child soldiery.
Several thousand are yet to be released.
We need to act, and
we need to do it now. The profile of Sierra Leone must be raised,
and our work must carry on. We have the people, the creativity and
the commitment to do this. Let’s make 2005 a huge success.
January 2005
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