SENTINEL WATCH March 21, 2005 Issue

MAKE POVERTY HISTORY?

TONY LOBL

I RECENTLY TOOK A PHOTO of Nelson Mandela beaming as he shook hands with London school kids under a huge banner proclaiming, "Make Poverty History." Mr. Mandela was in town February 3 to address G7 Finance Ministers on the same theme, at the invitation of British Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown.

My photo of "Madiba"—as the former South African President is also known—now has pride of place on my computer. It is a constant reminder of a great man and of a great ideal. Who wouldn't want to put an end to poverty, even if there might be different views on how to achieve that aim?

Media crews were out in force that day immediately afterwards, asking people on the street the how question. Most agreed with the UK's proposed "new Marshall plan" for Africa, mixing debt relief, aid, and fair trade. Some also offered more personal ideas, such as committing themselves to giving more generously of their own time and money.