DAVE HUGHES,
DAMIAN WALSHE HOWLING
& JOSH QUONG TART
STAND UP AGAINST POVERTY

MAKE POVERTY HISTORY ANNOUNCES NEW CELEBRITY AMBASSADORS

Dave Hughes, “The thing we forget is that we can make a difference, and knowing that, we really should.”

Damian Walshe Howling, "Let's open our minds to the possibility of a more balanced sharing of material wealth and perhaps in the process our hearts will open to the reality of a more peaceful world."

Josh Quong Tart, "It's no longer a case of "what can I do", it's "when will I do it?" Make Poverty History provides an avenue for change, a way that every one of us can make a difference in the lives of those with less, with nothing. Join with us to fight this fight."

MAKE POVERTY HISTORY is delighted to announce that three new celebrity ambassadors have agreed to take a public stand against poverty by supporting its 2009 ‘Stand Up Against Poverty’ campaign.

Actors Damian Walshe Howling (Underbelly), Josh Quong Tart (Home and Away, All Saints) and comedian Dave Hughes (The 7pm Project, Before the Game, Rove) have all pledged to ‘stand up’ against poverty as official MAKE POVERTY HISTORY Ambassadors, alongside current ambassadors Rove McManus, Brooke Satchwell, Zoe Naylor and musicians Missy Higgins and Lior.

Ambassador Brooke Satchwell will also be attending the ‘Call to Action’ launch event in Melbourne on Thursday September 24 at Champions Bar, Federation Square to speak about the importance of ‘Stand Up’ and to officially announce the new ambassadors to associates of the Make Poverty History coalition and other invited guests.

The Call to Action event aims to draw attention to the issue of global poverty and the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and to officially launch the ‘Stand Up’ campaign for 2009. The event will feature prominent speakers Minar Pimple (Deputy Director of the United Nations Millennium Campaign), Bob McMullan MP (Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance) and Alistair Gee (Co-Convenor of Make Poverty History).




MAKE POVERTY HISTORY is part of the ‘Global Call to Action Against Poverty’, which worldwide has over 10 million supporters.  In Australia alone, over 1 million people have purchased the iconic white bands, which symbolise our call to MAKE POVERTY HISTORY. The campaign has received this enormous following with the help of international celebrities such as U2’s Bono, Bob Geldof, and Brad Pitt, as well as numerous Australian celebrities who have participated in campaign activities such as the original “click” ad, the MAKE POVERTY HISTORY Concert and other high profile campaign activities.

The largest anti-poverty movement in history, MAKE POVERTY HISTORY involves more than 80 countries and aims to end global poverty. In Australia, MAKE POVERTY HISTORY is a coalition of more than 70 aid agencies, community groups and religious organisations working to hold governments accountable to their commitment to achieve the MDGs and halve global poverty by 2015.

The MAKE POVERTY HISTORY campaign is focusing on two key campaigns in 2009, Maternal and Child Health and Climate Change & Development.

Significantly, the Melbourne ‘Call to Action’ event coincides with the United Nation’s Millennium Campaign global ‘Call to Action’ and the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals Summit taking place in New York.

The United Nations Millennium Development Goals ‘Call to Action’ is led by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, 14 heads of state and/or governments as well as over 21 global industry sector leaders, in an international effort to accelerate progress and help make 2009 a crucial year in the fight against poverty.

www.makepovertyhistory.com.au



Media Enquiries :
Amaya Courtis – Publicist - Mollison Communications
(03) 9694 5221 / 0438 904 149 / amaya.c@mollison.com


Missy Higgins, “It's easy to take for granted the things our country has always known, like freedom, wealth and good health care. But globally speaking, we're in the minority. As the lucky ones it's our responsibility to stand up for those less fortunate than us. Join me on October 17th and stand up against world poverty!”

Rove McManus,   “I’ve been standing up for comedy for years. This October I’m Standing Up for a fair go for the world's poorest.”

Brooke Satchwell, “In an age where many escape their daily trials with a steady stream of ‘Reality’ at the touch of a remote – do you think it might be time to get real? Stand up on October the 17th - Make Poverty History.”

Lior, "The Make Poverty History movement has made us more aware of the crises facing humanity. We now need to make sure the promises we and our
governments made are translated into action. On October 17, I will be Standing
Up to remind myself and others that it is time not just to be aware, but to
follow it up with action."”

Zoe Naylor, "The fight against poverty is one we can win. But we must stand together."