Evian G8: Time to declare a war on poverty in Africa

Overview

Last year, leaders of the world’s richest countries used their G8 summit to unveil a plan of action to tackle poverty in Africa. While ambitious in its rhetoric, the plan produced little new aid or debt relief for Africa, and no reform of unfair terms of trade. As the same leaders prepare for this year’s G8 summit in Evian, France, from June 1-3, action on African poverty is more vital than ever. And yet the danger is that the meeting will be dominated by Iraq. Oxfam is calling on G8 leaders also to focus their attention on Africa and to launch an all-out War Against Poverty.