EDMUND JUSTICE
Vol 11, February 2007
Make Indigenous Poverty History
The UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in 2001 defined poverty as:
"a human condition characterised by the deprivation of the resources, capabilities, choices, security and power necessary for the enjoyment of an adequate standard of living and other civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights."
WHAT ARE THE GOALS OF MAKE POVERTY HISTORY?
1. TRADE JUSTICE
2. DROP THE DEBT
3. MORE AND BETTER AID
WHAT ARE THE GOALS OF MAKE INDIGENOUS POVERTY HISTORY?
The Make Indigenous Poverty History campaign does not specifically target Indigenous Peoples, yet worldwide Indigenous People are most affected by extreme poverty and usually rank at the bottom of most social and economic indicators.
Goal 1: Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger
Target 1: Remove, by 2015, the differences in income between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and non-Indigenous Australians.
Target 2: Eliminate by 2015, the number of people who suffer from hunger and malnourishment.
Goal 2: Achieve Universal Education
Target 3: Ensure that, by 2015, children everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete a full course of schooling.
Goal 3: Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women
Target 4: Eliminate gender disparity all levels of education and participation in the workforce no later than 2015.
Target 5: Eliminate disparity in the rate of incarceration of Indigenous women compared to non-indigenous women.
Target 6: Ensure proper representation of Indigenous Women at local, State and Federal levels.
Goal 4: Reduce Child Mortality
Target 7: Remove the disparity, by 2015, between the Indigenous under-five mortality rate and that of non–Indigenous Australians.
Goal 5: Improve Maternal Health
Target 8: Reduce by three-quarters, between 1990 and 2015, the maternal mortality ratio.
Goal 6: Combat Chronic and Communicable Diseases
Target 9: Have increased, by 2015, the life expectancy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to that of the rest of Australia.
Goal 7: Ensure Environmental Sustainability
Target 10: Integrate the principles of sustainable development into mining and land use agreements and reverse the loss of environmental and cultural resources.
Goal 8: Develop a National Partnership for Development
Target 11: By 2015 to provide adequate and safe housing.
Target 12: By 2015 to create safe environments in which to live.
Target 13: Give Indigenous people the control over managing their own affairs.
Target 14: Ensure that the wrongs of the past are acknowledged.
| January | July |
| 26 - Survival Day | 8 - Aboriginal Sunday |
| February | 9 - NAIDOC WEEK |
| 13 - Day of Political Action | August |
| 21- International Mother Language Day | 4 - NATSI Childrens' Day |
| March | 9 - International Day of World's Indigenous Peoples |
| 8 - International Womens' day | 12 - World Youth day |
| 12 - Commonwealth Day | 23 - Day of Recognition of Native Title |
| 20 - Harmony Day | September |
| 21 - International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. | 2 - Father's day |
| 22 - World Water Day | 8 - International World Literacy Day |
| April | 21 - International Day of Peace. |
| 1 - Palm Sunday | 23 - Social Justice Sunday |
| 7 -World Health Day | October |
| 8 – Easter | 1- Labour day |
| 18 - World Heritage Day | 2 - Massacre day |
| 25 - Anzac Day | 16 - International Day for the Eradication of Poverty |
| May | November |
| 1 - Justice Day | 11 - Remembrance day |
| 6 - Anti Violence Day | 20 - Universal Children's Day |
| 13 - Mothers' day | 25 - International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women |
| 15 - International Day of Families | December |
| 22 - International Day of Biodiversity | 10 - Human Rights Day |
| 26 - Sorry Day | 20 - International Human Solidarity Day |
| 27 - Referendum 40th Anniversary | |
| June | |
| 5 - World Environment Day | |
| 9 - Day of Commemoration of Massacres |
WHAT IS THE "40 YEARS OF INACTION LEADING TO 40 DAYS OF ACTION"?
This campaign continues to make people aware of Indigenous Poverty on certain key events.
"The view that there is more to poverty than low income now requires a deeper understanding of the circumstances facing those who are in poverty in order to highlight how it arises, what prevents people from escaping, and what the experience of poverty means for the lives of the poor.” (Saunders 2005)
WHAT IS A POVERTY POLE?
A Poverty Pole is a visible sign of personal commitment to a more just Australia.
Create your own, or come with friends, relatives, classmates, or a group, and create one. A Poverty Pole can be large or small, colourful, painted, with decorations, or just plain. People normally sign it and express their support for the Poverty Pole Charter.
The Poverty Pole Charter has three parts; remember the past, recognise the present and rectify the future. By signing the Poverty Pole Charter you are making the following commitment.I commit to ensure that the Millennium Development Goals specifically address the disadvantage suffered by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
I commit to identifying achievable poverty reduction strategies, with measurable and time bound outcomes to be achieved by 2015.
I commit to holding all elected representatives, and other leaders, accountable to achieving these goals.
I take personal responsibility to understand the causes and effects of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples' disadvantage and also to inform people when I encounter ignorance or lack of compassion.
I commit to justice for all and to Make Indigenous Poverty History.
Photo: The first Poverty Pole, signed at the National Make Indigenous Poverty History launch.
The Poverty Pole is a sign of commitment to addressing Indigenous poverty and hope for Indigenous people. If at all possible try to the pole made by an Indigenous person and then pass it on to others.
WEBLINKS
http://www.ncca.org.au/natsiec/indigenous_poverty
http://www.ncca.org.au/natsiec/indigenous_poverty?p=2614
http://www.hreoc.gov.au/racial_discrimination/index.html
PAST VOLUMES
| Vol 1, February 2005 | 3RD WORLD POVERTY – THE OTHER TSUNAMI |
| Vol 2, March 2005 | STILL COOKING WITH GAS IN EAST TIMOR |
| Vol 3, April 2005 | INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS – SOME HARD TRUTHS |
| Vol 4, June 2005 | REFUGEES - I WAS A STRANGER AND YOU MADE ME WELCOME |
| Vol 5, July 2005 | WORKING IT OUT - NEW WORKPLACE PROPOSALS |
| Vol 6, August 2005 | LANDMINES “AN EXPLOSIVE TOPIC” |
| Vol 7, September 2005 | POVERTY - HOMING IN ON THE PROBLEM |
| Vol 8, November 2005 | OUTWORKERS - DIGNITY COMES WITH A PRICE TAG |
| Vol 9, March 2006 | NOT A PRETTY PICTURE FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLE |
| Vol 10, July 2006 | TRAFFICKING OF WOMEN |