Wrap-up of National Advocacy Conference Activities
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 15, 2006) - Some 350 people participated in CARE’s National Advocacy Conference on June 7 and 8, increasing by 10-fold the number the event attracted when it began three years ago. From across the country, CARE members came to the nation’s capital, fanning out across Capitol Hill in force, filling the halls of Congress with compelling new calls to support the fight against global poverty.
Participants and CARE staff alike said they felt their power when visiting their elected representatives.
“What surprises me is how good it feels to actually take the step toward participating,” said Paul Buchheit of Illinois. “The lobbying experience was exhilarating. My daughter Marisa and I felt like a part of the decision-making process.”
Angel and Alyssa Zellich meet with Senator Kit Bond. (©2006 Kathy Lane/CARE)
Advocacy conference participants also learned about CARE’s new “I Am Powerful” campaign to raise awareness of women’s role in the fight against poverty. The campaign encourages Americans to help empower women in poor countries so that they can fulfill their potential.
Conference materials were emblazoned with the words “I Am Powerful.” Halls and meeting rooms echoed the theme, displaying banners portraying women from across the globe, including Sudan and Sri Lanka. People in the United States had written notes by hand on the banners, expressing their solidarity with these women, such as: “You are a valuable woman!” and “Be strong women everywhere.” CARE’s goal is for women and men to have equal power to shape their societies.
Participants traveled at their own expense — from Washington, California, Illinois, Missouri, Florida, New York and many other states in between — to serve as champions of the poor during meetings with members of Congress and their staffs.
“It’s my first time here, but it won’t be the last,” said Janice Sundquist of Georgia. “I think what [CARE] does is great, mobilizing citizens on behalf of the world’s poor.”
“I came to this conference firstly to learn more about the issues that CARE works so hard to fix,” said 14-year old Alyssa Zellich, of Missouri, who attended the conference with her mother, Angel. “I knew a bit of it, but I also knew that coming meant that I would learn more, and coming to this conference would also show that I do care. I hoped that my showing up would help influence people and let them know that anyone can care and make a difference.”
Taking A Stand
Opening the conference, CARE’s president, Helene D. Gayle, affirmed the importance of getting involved in influencing policy in order to reduce global poverty.
“We cannot sit back without being a voice at the table for the poor; to help give voice to their concerns. To truly end extreme poverty, we must all band together. In your meetings, you will bring global poverty to the forefront of the U.S. agenda.”
Dr. Gayle spoke admiringly about the accomplishments of the ONE Campaign and CARE Action Network (CAN), CARE’s organization of volunteer advocates. She recalled when members responded to an e-mail asking supporters to call Congress to support a bill adding $100 million for programs to fight HIV, tuberculosis and malaria.
CARE President Dr. Helene Gayle, left, and World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz at the 2006 CARE National Advocacy Conference held at the George Washington University Marvin Center in Washington, DC on June 7, 2006. (©2006 CARE/David Holloway)
“In one afternoon’s work, 20,000 Americans got a $100 million addition for HIV, TB and malaria, the three leading causes of death in the developing world.”
Paul Wolfowitz, president of the World Bank, then took the podium, presenting solid evidence that poverty can be overcome. “In the last 25 years, half a billion people escaped poverty in China, India and Latin America,” he said. “Fifteen countries in Africa have had growth rates of 4 percent or greater. Rwanda has the highest.”
More proof that the picture in Africa is far from hopeless comes from these little known facts: The Ghana Stock exchange regularly tops the list of the world’s highest performing stock markets. Botswana holds an A+ credit rating and claims one of the highest per capita government savings rates in the world.
“Reducing poverty can be a reality,” stressed Wolfowitz.
Wolfowitz also emphasized the critical role women play in developing a nation, recalling something said to him on his travels in Pakistan. “Development is like a cart with two wheels, one male and one female. If one of the wheels isn’t turning, the cart is not going to go anywhere. When women are denied equal opportunity, the whole society pays a price for it,” he concluded.
Supporters spent the rest of the day exploring critical issues related to global poverty in a series of workshops and preparing for their visits with congressional representatives on Capitol Hill the next day. Workshops included “Challenges facing women in the developing world,” “The impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic,” “Countries in conflict,” and “The changing politics of foreign assistance.”
Participants broke into delegations by state and district to review the three issues they would ask their members of Congress to act on:
- Support vital humanitarian development programs that save lives.
- Ensure that HIV prevention programs are effective and flexible enough to meet local needs.
- Promote relief, security and democracy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
These measures are central to alleviating poverty in developing countries. Unfortunately, they are not sufficiently funded. In the workshop that focused on the changing politics of foreign assistance, panelist Jim Dyer noted that Americans overestimate how much is spent on foreign aid. The fact is that less than 1 percent of the U.S. budget is devoted to foreign assistance.
In the evening’s keynote address, Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) built on the theme of taking action to fight poverty. He urged participants to “imagine, educate and act.”
“Imagine what can be. Imagine possibility. Educate and start young. Things happen if people can imagine. Things happen when people come together to convince each other to act.
“It is often difficult to focus people in this country on issues outside of the States. We need to educate the public and government on the inter-connectedness of the world. The rest of the world’s business is our business. People in the United States are at their core a good people.”
Senator Obama also called on participants to hold their current and future representatives accountable, and to take advantage of upcoming elections in order to do so.
“Before you write a check ask [your representatives or your candidates] about their position on alleviating global poverty and suffering. Start this year; there are congressional mid-term elections and then presidential elections in 2008. Just as important, follow up after the elections. Let them know there is a growing political force.”
Click here to view a video clip from Sen. Obama's keynote address.
That political force is on the rise worldwide as more and more people are empowered. CARE created the “I Am Powerful” award this year to honor those people who serve to empower others. On the first night of the conference, actress and CARE ambassador Meg Ryan presented the tribute. Ryan praised the honoree, Violeta Chunchu, as “a real and powerful woman” and embraced her affectionately.
Chunchu belongs to the Shuar ethnic group in Ecuador. She honored her tribe by wearing traditional face markings and adorning her ears and her blue dress with feathers. She was recognized for empowering herself, other women and her entire community. CARE’s Ecuador office will receive $5,000 to spend as Chunchu’s community wishes.
As CARE staff translated from Spanish, Chunchu gave thanks for the award, and acknowledged the transformation in her life and in her community as a result of CARE’s work.
“The work with CARE has changed our community,” said Violeta Chunchu. “Shuar women have become self-sufficient and I, a woman, was elected leader of my community. Tonight, I am very moved and proud to represent Shuar women, Ecuador and women in general.”
The audience was visibly moved by Chunchu’s speech and gave her a thundering ovation. Click here to read an interview with Violeta Chunchu.
Onward to Capitol Hill
On the morning of the second day, participants went over the points they wanted to highlight for their representatives, and listened to yet another galvanizing speech before boarding buses to Capitol Hill.
Angel Zellich, a participant from Missouri, looked forward to her meetings with members of Congress.
“I think the most important message we can deliver to our representatives is that we are watching,” said Zellich. “That we — the voters — want to use our place of power in this world to help and make the world a safer and better place.”
“We are here to advocate on behalf of the 1 billion people who are living on less than $1 a day,” Nick Colacchio of Vermont told his senator, Jim Jeffords.
Participants were welcomed warmly at congressional offices throughout Capitol Hill.
Read more about a group of CARE supporters from Vermont and their congressional visits.
Burlington Free Press Op-Ed by NAC participant Meron Foster, 17
After a meeting at Senator Patrick Leahy’s (D-VT) office, one of the senator’s legislative aides told participants that they were “incredibly impressive” and that it was “inspiring for us to hear your stories.” The aide added that members of Congress and legislative staff “don’t hear enough from folks like you.”
A reception in the majestic foyer of the Rayburn House Office Building capped the conference activities. CARE President Helene D. Gayle congratulated supporters for participating in the conference. She encouraged them to keep taking action once they returned home and asked them to share their experiences.
“I have been able to go out and see CARE’s work,” said Bo Cutter, vice chair of CARE’s board of directors. “You leave prouder that you are a part of CARE’s mission. But no matter how wonderful the work is, it’s like a tree falling in the forest unless other people know about it, and we can build the support of people who care about it.”
