What is GCAP Scotland?
What are your demands?
Who are your members?
When was GCAP Scotland formed?
Can I join?
What if I am not in Scotland?
How much does it cost?
What is this “Stand Up Against Poverty”?
Are there going to be any more mass marches, or demonstrations, like in Edinburgh in July 2005?
What if I have arranged an event? How do I tell everyone about it?
What about the White Band?
Who should wear the white band?
What should the white band look like?
Do our white bands have to bear a slogan or a message?
Where can I get a white band?
What happened to Make Poverty History?
So, Make Poverty History did not then, make poverty history?
Right, I’m convinced. What can I do?
Can I donate money?
What about poverty at home?
Are you affiliated in anyway to a particular one?
Are there any job opportunities available at GCAP Scotland?
What about volunteers?
I still have a question…

What is GCAP Scotland?
GCAP Scotland is the Scottish arm of the Global Call to Action against Poverty. This is a worldwide alliance committed to forcing governments to act on their millennium promises and make poverty history.
Our mobilisation and founding statement can be read here.

What are your demands?
GCAP Scotland demand that governments act against poverty immediately and decisively by delivering:
Trade Justice
Debt Cancellation
More and Better Aid
Action to tackle HIV and AIDS

This sounds familiar…
Yes, these aims are similar to the aims of Make Poverty History. Many of our members were behind the 2005 campaign. We showed then that by being united, we could make a difference and force governments to act. But we must continue to stand together until our demands are met.

So, who are your members?
At the moment, organisations and coalitions that are part of GCAP Scotland are: Christian Aid, Concern, Jubilee Scotland, Justice and Peace Scotland, NIDOS, Oxfam, Save the Children, SCIAF, Trade Justice Movement, and World Development Movement.
However, we must stress that GCAP Scotland is only in its infancy and aims to include member organisations from all backgrounds and areas, who are united in their stand against poverty.

When was GCAP Scotland formed?
Following the impact of the Make Poverty History campaign, many of the MPH partner organisations in Scotland believed that by continuing to work together, we could force governments to act.
So, in August 2006 GCAP Scotland was born. An event in Edinburgh on September 15th to launch the Stand Up Against Poverty month of action was the first public display of GCAP Scotland.

Can I join?
If you believe in our core values, then yes you can. If you are an organisation or an individual you can sign up here.

What if I am not in Scotland?
GCAP is a global alliance active in many countries around the world. Click here to see the GCAP affiliate in your country of residence.
Are you on myspace? If so become a friend of GCAP Scotland here.

How much does it cost?
Membership is free. We just ask that to show your support and take some action.

What is this Stand Up Against Poverty?
Stand Up Against Poverty is the umbrella message for the Global Month of Mobilisation, which ran from September 15th to October 17th 2006. GCAP Scotland will continue to use this message throughout the year.
During the Month of Mobilisation 23.5 million people across the world Stood Up Against Poverty with GCAP, sending a strong message to world leaders, decision makers and the general public that we are still committed to ending poverty.
To find out more about events throughout Scotland and the world, click here.

Are there going to be any more mass marches, or demonstrations, like in Edinburgh in July 2005?
No. The rally in Edinburgh last July was a massive success, and had a huge impact. We are in the early stages of planning events for 2007. These are likely to centre on the G8 talks in Germany in June.
Check back to this site regularly to find out more about upcoming events.

What if I have arranged an event? How do I tell everyone about it?
If the event is in Scotland, contact us, and we will display it on our events calendar.

What about the White Band?
The white band is the global symbol to show the world we want action against poverty.
It was agreed as a worldwide symbol by the Global Call to Action Against Poverty, the world’s largest ever anti-poverty movement with organisations representing more than 150 million people in over 80 countries.
The fourth Global White Band Day was held on 17th October 2006. This was the final day of the month of mobilisation and is United Nations Day for the Eradication of Poverty. However we ask our supporters to continue wearing the band throughout the year.

Who should wear the white band?
Anyone, anywhere, who believes in ending poverty, should wear the white band. From school children to celebrities; from campaigners to families; whoever you are, this action is for you.

What should the white band look like?
This is entirely up to you. Some suggestions are wristbands, armbands, a band round your bag and lapel bands. You can make your own from a piece of fabric, or purchase one. Whatever you feel comfortable with and that represents you or your organisations stance against poverty.

Do our white bands have to bear a slogan or a message?
No, they don’t. The current official message of GCAP Scotland is “Stand Up Against Poverty” but again, it’s a personal choice. The symbolism remains the same.

Where can I get a white band?
Many of our coalition partners’ websites offer the possibility to buy ready-made white bands online, or contain information about how to get one. Find our partners websites here. However, as stated, you can also create your own white band. It is the act of wearing or displaying the white band that shows your solidarity with this global campaign against poverty.

What happened to Make Poverty History?
Make Poverty History was the UK arm of the Global Call to Action against Poverty, officially launched on 1st January 2005. Make Poverty History was the largest anti-poverty campaign in the world, galvanising global support, and having a huge impact.
Make Poverty History was designed as a one year campaign. So, at the end of 2005, the Make Poverty History campaign ended.
However the fight against poverty has not. In March 2006, GCAP members from around the world gathered in Beirut to renew the Global Call for Action against Poverty. The Beirut Platform statement is available for download here.
For further information on Make Poverty History, see here

So, Make Poverty History did not then, make poverty history?
Make Poverty History secured some significant advances- most notably in debt cancellation and promises of additional aid. However, these were just the first steps towards meeting the demands of campaigners. There are still more than a billion people trapped in abject poverty and gross inequality.
It is only through global mass action that we can force governments to act, and eradicate poverty.
GCAP calls for national campaigns and coalitions to become the focus of action and mobilisation for the next two years.
GCAP Scotland was formed in response to this call, and urges anyone, anywhere who aspires to make poverty history to join us in our stand.

Right, I’m convinced. What can I do?
There are many things you can do. From registering your support to organising events. See here for more details.

Can I donate money?
GCAP Scotland is not asking for your money. We are asking for your support. Your time. Your energy. If you wish to donate money, many of GCAP member organisations have projects around the globe, which require donor support. See here for links to member websites.

What about poverty at home?
Poverty does not have borders. GCAP Scotland Stands up Against Poverty throughout the globe, be it domestic or international.

Are you affiliated in any way to a particular political party?
GCAP is not affiliated to any particular political party or branch of government. Our campaign challenges governments and politicians to end global poverty.

Are there any job opportunities available at GCAP Scotland?
Currently no. If vacancies become available, we will display them on our website.
If you are interested in vacancies in this area, contact one of our member organisations. Most display job opportunities on their website.

What about volunteers?
Any volunteer opportunities will be displayed on the website.
Again, many of our member organisations employ volunteers at various levels. You can find a list of member organisations here.

I have read through all this, and still have a question…
Then contact us on mail@scotlandagainstpoverty and we endeavour to respond as soon as possible.