By Sara Hanson
Last week proved an important one in the fight against poverty, with events on campus and at City Hall.
In response to pleas from the Low-Income Coalition of Calgary, Mayor Dave Bronconnier officially declared Mon., Oct. 17 the “International Day to Eradicate Poverty” in Calgary. Following the proclamation, representatives from various organizations met at City Hall to speak about efforts to eliminate poverty on Calgary’s streets.
At the same time anti-poverty initiatives were being discussed downtown, Shanti Day, held in MacEwan Student Centre, was promoting ways for students to help fight global poverty. Shanti Day, a first for the U of C, included a variety of speakers and vendors from local organizations. Shanti Day Coordinator Vanessa Hebert hopes the event will become an annual tradition.
“We came up with the idea last year because we knew that fall 2005 was an important season,” said Hebert. “September was the five-year anniversary of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, and October 17 is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. We wanted to do something big to address these days.”
The day involved a collaborative effort from a variety of clubs, such as Engineers Without Borders, Amnesty International, World University Services of Canada, UNITERRA and CJSW, as well as a number of dedicated volunteers.
“We wanted Shanti Day to bring together as many university clubs as possible, because we believe that the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals can only be achieved through cooperation,” explained Hebert.
Vendors from Ten Thousand Villages, No Sweat Apparel, Serve Nepal, Fairkick Soccer and other organizations were present, selling a variety of fair trade products. The farmers or workers who produce these products are paid living wages for their work, and proponents argue buying these products is just one way citizens of developed countries can help eradicate poverty.
“The businesses are the ones who can affect change, and the consumers are the ones who can pressure the businesses,” said Mountain Equipment Co-op Social and Environmental Responsibility Coordinator Brade Chute. “Instead of buying the $4 t-shirt at Wal-Mart, buy the $10 one from a local, organic store instead.”
The speakers at City Hall also talked about the MDGs; however, they stressed the importance of examining local poverty issues first.
“Most Calgarians are aware and concerned about global poverty, but it also exists in our own backyard,” noted United Way representative Chris MacFarlane. “[We need] to build public understanding of why and how people are not flourishing in a city as prosperous as Calgary.”
While the talk at City Hall stressed a change in government policies, Hebert stressed the power of individuals.
“Unless every one of us starts being that change, through our actions and consumerism, international poverty and environmental degradation will persist,” she said.