Make Poverty History

During lunch today, I made a mad dash to Trafalgar Square to join thousands of others demanding that the G7 finance ministers cancel all unpayable third world debt. Nelson Mandela also spoke and I cursed my cheap zoom camera for not being able to get a good shot of him. There was a real sense among those around me that this could be the last time we get the chance to hear him speak live in England again.

"Like slavery and apartheid, poverty is not natural," he said. "It is man-made and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings. And overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life. While poverty persists there is no true freedom."

He urged rich nations to make significant steps towards dropping the debts of poorer countries, currently costing them around $40 billion a year. He ended his speech by handing over the symbol of the Make Poverty History campaign - a white band - to five children, saying, "Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom."

A very moving day.

+ Full text of Mandela's speech
+ My photos from the event