Slum Kids and Nobel Prize Winners Raise Hopes

The two-year-old Global Call to Action Against Poverty has now involved more than 50 million people in more than 100 countries. The World Social Forum provides an opportunity to share experiences and plans, strengthened by visions like those in the songs of the young men from Nairobi’s Korogosho slums, the Hope Raisers: “G8, We’ve got a question for you. Why do you want us to suffer; why do you want us to perish? You know we are the creditors. Cancel debts. Cancel debts.” I hope to bring their DVD back for UK campaigners to share their optimism and energy.

Liberia has tremendous opportunities, with its devastating civil war at last finished and Africa’s inspiring first woman President leading a democratic government. These opportunities are matched by the challenges of huge debt, minimal services, destroyed infrastructure and people’s high expectations. In the light of this vulnerable situation, it was good to meet with some Liberian civil society leaders. We discussed how we could help the rich world leaders realise the urgency of – and quickly deliver – debt cancellation for Liberia.

Another session gave an opportunity to people from around Africa – including Senegal, Kenya, South Africa, Angola, Ethiopia, the Gambia, Zimbabwe – to discuss their debt histories, current situations and ways forward. Debt relief has transformed millions of lives, in spite of the associated undemocratic and harmful conditions. Hope is high for more progress.

Meanwhile, charismatic civil society campaigners – like Mary Robinson and Wangari Maathai – complemented the Hope Raisers in renewing our visions of a better world.