I got an email from Claudia Schiffer (always gratifying when her name appears in my inbox) explaining how the MAKE POVERTY HISTORY Campaign is going.

The answer it seems is very well. With the G8 summit beginning, the 8 most powerful leaders are meeting in one place to decide upon the goals they set for themselves for 2015.

The email read;

"2 weeks ago - at the talks themselves, those politicians promised to cancel 100% of debt owed by 18 of the world's very poorest countries, with 20 more that may qualify later.

That means that around 280 million people will soon wake up not owing debts to the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the very first time."

This is a great step forward, but it is by no means the end. What it does show is that we are making an impact, that this movement has influence and that will help millions of people.

As Gordon Brown said recently 'The eyes of the public are upon us'. Yes, that's right Gordon, we're watching, we like this step, but it is only one step and we won't stop watching until we've walked that extra mile.

This weekend I shall be in Scotland (possibly only the second time I've been there in my life), in Edinburgh campaigning to MAKE POVERTY HISTORY.

As a lazy guy, it does feel good to actually be doing something important.

Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great....

We can be that generation.

First off, I haven't posted for a while because I've been busy with other things in my life (see my other blog) and haven't really had the chance to rant again.

The first weekend of July is shaping up to be an event to remember. With the protest in Edinburgh and the Live 8 concert there will be a heck of a lot of people protesting for:

Trade Justice
Dropping the debt
More and better aid

With the UK having the Presidency for the G8 and with us all showing that these are the results we want from it the 8 leaders will see how much we want to MAKE POVERY HISTORY.

I know I stress it a lot, and I don't know how many of you read this anyway but this campaign is making a difference. While you might feel that you individually can't make a difference look at it the way Bob Geldof puts it:

"This is without doubt a moment in history where ordinary people can grasp the chance to achieve something truly monumental and demand from the 8 world leaders at G8 an end to poverty.

The G8 leaders have it within their power to alter history. They will only have the will to do so if tens of thousands of people show them that enough is enough.

By doubling aid, fully cancelling debt, and delivering trade justice for Africa, the G8 could change the future for millions of men, women and children."

Please, please please join the campaign, even if it's just to watch Live* on television. Every act towards this goal is a good one. Let's walk together to justice.

In other news, in Brazil (as a result of many allegations of corruption) no new logging permits are being issued. The Brazilian police have made 90 arrests of Government officials and businessmen connected to logging. Gov. Blairo Maggi of Mato Grosso also ousted his environmental chief, who was arrested and accused of involvement in the corruption ring. Apparently the environmental chief had turned a blind eye to 119,000 acres of Amazon rainforest being logged. All logging permits are being re-evaluated (From Corpwatch.org).

It is moves like this which give me hope.

"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win"
Mahatma Gandhi