A new study by Brookings researchers shows that almost a billion extra people in the world will face a life of extreme poverty if leaders do not make key decisions on poverty, inequality and climate change.
It also shows that in order for the world to get to zero poverty by 2030, further interventions are needed. It suggests that, far from ‘trade not aid’, the world will need both aid and trade and also more investments and a range of other resource flows.
Recently more than a thousand organisations around the world launched a new campaign called action/2015, calling on local and world leaders to take urgent actions to halt man-made climate change, eradicate poverty and address inequality.
In Tanzania, youth campaigners met with the Vice-President of Tanzania Dr Mohamed Gharib Bilal in Dar es Salaam recently for a discussion on their aspirations for the future and the action they want from their political leaders in 2015.
The Vice president also officially launched Action/2015 Tanzania which aims at bringing the youth together to fight for the country’s development.
The Vice President reiterated on the importance of putting in place relevant policies and setting priorities in efforts to address poverty and transform Tanzania into a middle income country by 2025.
He said for Tanzanians to graduate from abject poverty and the growing inequality, there should be good policies and quality social services fostering an environment that creates decent employment.
He said the government will ensure that it moves rapidly and efficiently by using the Big Results Now (BRN) initiative which aims at scaling up government’s focus and commitment towards eradicating poverty and hunger.
He called on all Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Civil Societies Organisations (CSOs) to support the government in its efforts by training the youth to enable them cope with the expected changes.
For her part, Country Director for Restless Development Tanzania, Margaret Mliwa said the launch of Action2015 was significant to the young people of Tanzania because it paves way for dialogue with their leaders.
“With coordinated actions and unity in pushing for ambitious decisions in 2015 to address poverty and inequality we can all work toward making Tanzania a better place,” she said.
She called on citizens to mount pressure on leaders and own local initiatives that can combat poverty, inequalities, and issues of climate change, (focusing on renewable energy transition) and other pressing issues of concern to communities.
She also said Restless Development Tanzania in partnership with International Labour Organisation (ILO) have been training the youth with the aim of generating different business ideas.
She said through Action2015, the public has to join hands to ensure that world leaders commit themselves to a better world.
She said throughout 2015, the campaign will provide chances for every person across the country to get involved in various local and global debates to influence the desired outcomes.
“2015 must be the year the world wakes up and delivers a safer, more just future for children and young people. We all must play our part in ensuring this is the case. Do not let this opportunity go to waste,” she urged.
One of the campaigners, a 14-year-old Eva told the Vice President;
“This year, as I turn 15, our leaders will agree a new plan for a better world. If they really perform better and stick to it, there would be no more poor people anywhere when I reach 30. It’s our future that’s at stake. That’s why I and thousands like me need to make right choices in 2015.”
Dr Sipho S. Moyo, Africa Executive Director of the ONE Campaign, in her opening remarks during the event said Tanzania's Development Vision 2025 is an ambitious plan to move from low-income to middle-income status by 2025.
However, she noted in order to achieve it, right policies are needed to tackle extreme poverty and growing inequality. Also through these right policies, basic social opportunities like good education and fostering an environment will be provided and hence create what the International Labour Organisation (ILO) calls decent employment.
It is imperative, therefore, that the government moves rapidly and efficiently through its Big Results Now (BRN) strategy that is aimed at scaling up government’s focus and commitment to eradicating poverty and hunger. And should also ensure the 2015 becomes the year that brings this great country closer to a safe and prosperous future for everybody. ”
As part of the launch, activities are taking place in over 50 countries all around the world. Many of these are spearheaded by 15 years old youth.
In Uganda young people will challenge their foreign affairs minister to listen to their demands when they hand over a petition signed by over 10,000 young people.
In Nigeria, 15 year olds will quiz their Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on national television.
In South Africa, 15 year old campaigners from across the country will meet with Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula in the historic township of Soweto with the intention of pressuring him to ensure their generation gets a safer future.
In New York, the Secretary- General of the United Nations Ban Ki- moon will meet a group of 15 year olds to discuss why we need global action in 2015.
In the UK, some of Britain’s leading youth activists will meet Prime Minister David Cameron and Ed Miliband, the Leader of the Opposition, and urge them to enable the youth seize and utilise the opportunities of 2015.
All these efforts are meant to mount pressures on leaders so that they can be able to combat poverty, inequalities and issues of climate change.
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