Network of NGOs, ‘Wada Na Todo Abhiyan’, ‘Save the Children’, ‘World Visions’ and ‘lEADS’ on Tuesday launched a State-wide postcard campaign to give momentum to Action/2015 agenda. The campaign aims to reach at least 50 thousand people with the postcard campaign.
Speaking at a press meet organised here, officials informed that around 150 NGOs will be part of the postcard campaign in the State. The postcards will be send to the Prime Minister of India with message–”We urge you to commit to deliver a post 2015 world order that is equal, just and secure for people and planet”–from May 5 to May 25, 2015. Notably, the Action/2015 was launched in January, 2015 with 15 point agenda on sustainable development goal (SDG).
AK Singh, State Convenor, ‘Wada Na Todo Abhiyan’, informed that the group of NGOs want the Union Government to strongly take up real development issues from the country in three major upcoming international meetings–Financing for Development to Commit Resources for SDGs scheduled to be called in July, UN General Assembly (September, New York), Climate Conference (December 2015). He also informed about the importance of the upcoming meetings and it significance in shaping development polices for next 10-15 years.
“Representatives from India should take up our demands during these crucial meetings. People’s voice should be the influencing factor while deciding the next Sustainable Development Goals which are going to replace Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) post 2015,” said Singh.
The postcard will stress upon policies that upholds the principles of equality, a system that is just to all and where everyone is secured in all respects.
Mahadev Hansda, State Program Manager, Save the Children pointed that the campaign termed as ‘May mobilization’ across the globe is a prime opportunity to unite voices for people oriented development policies, rise up boldly and call for a better future for all especially downtrodden and disempowered.
“To get ambitious outcomes along expected line requires strong leadership from key global decision makers. But we won’t see ambitious leadership without public mobilization on an unprecedented scale. The post card campaign is an effort in this direction,” he added.
The speakers pointed that Indian Government should represent grass-root voices and to introduce real development challenges from India at these summits, three points-- sending a powerful message to political leaders that citizens are watching them and expect transformative change in September at a critical juncture during the negotiations, raising greater awareness of the post-2015 process amongst citizens, creating a wave of ongoing activity over the following 3 months leading to the September summit and promote processes of citizen monitoring besides government accountability of the goals in the years that will follow.
“This is a simple, yet effective campaign for an organization/networks or individual to participate in the campaign by sending a simple message to the PM on 50 paisa government postcard. We need to build momentum for continued action towards December around climate justice, sustainable people and planet focused development and the urgency of a concrete agreement during the COP 21,” said Anangadev Singh, Campaign Officer World Vision India.
The movement in Jharkhand is the part of a nationwide campaign run by the group of NGOs.c