Vancouver: G8'S top policy makers sit down with global anti-poverty and
climate change activists

OTTAWA, April 15 /CNW Telbec/ -

    
    WHEN:           FRIDAY APRIL 16 - 2:30 - 4:30 PM
    WHERE:          VANCOUVER CONVENTION CENTRE*
    FOLLOWED BY:    NEWS CONFERENCE:  5pm
                    COAST COAL HARBOUR HOTEL - 1180 W. Hastings
    WHO:            Global Representatives, Moderated by Gerry Barr, Chair,
                    Make Poverty History
    

A consultation between G8 "Sherpa" teams - the top civil servants who advise their leaders - and 60 civil society representatives from around the world, takes place in Vancouver on Friday afternoon April 16 at the Vancouver Convention Centre. *The meetings are closed but a photo-op is under request. A news conference will follow immediately at the Vancouver Coast Coal Harbour Hotel.

The anti-poverty and climate change advocates are drawn from NGO's, health groups, labour and faith-based organizations. They will urge the G8 civil servants to bring forward to their leaders an agenda for the June summit with meaningful measures on poverty reduction, climate change and international economic reform.

While the problems of the world's poorest people have unquestionably worsened over the 2-year economic crisis and growing climate disasters, real progress is also happening through the cooperation of the global community. The delegates will outline a variety of initiatives that will help the world's richest nations maintain, strengthen, and build-on those successes and meet their commitments to the UN Millennium Development Goals.

The delegation includes senior representatives from leading NGO's in Canada, the U.S., Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America.

For further information: Kelly Crichton, Media Coordinator, Make Poverty History, cell: [phone], email:[email protected]