20 June 2005

After an epic journey across Africa, ActionAid’s Get On Board - Jo’burg to G8 bus, drove to no.10 Downing Street this morning, accompanied by actor Emma Thompson, to meet Tony Blair and deliver messages for the G8 from thousands of African people.

Alongside Emma, Tony Blair met with Brendan O’Donnell and Ivy Maina, ActionAid’s Get On Board bus crew members, Leonard Okello, ActionAid International’s HIV and AIDS Co-ordinator and Marie Shaba, Chair of the Tanzanian Association of NGO’s to tell him about the incredible bus journey and to pass on messages and stories from the thousands of African people they met.

Actor and writer Emma Thompson said: "It’s high time for the G8 to stop undermining and start supporting African efforts to end poverty. The messages collected by the bus are clear, Africa needs trade justice, debt cancellation and more and better aid.

"The G8 has to understand that if they don't deliver now, no one will ever believe them again. This is the moment for action. I am just one of millions of people around the world who are watching, and expecting them to do the right thing."

The Get On Board bus decorated in bright graffiti style and emblazoned with the MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY and Get on Board slogans started its 12,000 kilometre adventure in Johannesburg on 31 March. It has travelled through South Africa, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya visiting towns, slums, villages and refugee camps and joined public rallies, music events and local celebrations to take a close look at how the big issues, of aid, trade and debt, affect the daily lives of ordinary men, women and children.

The Get On Board bus has a further 600 kilometres to travel, with it’s final destination being the G8 summit at Gleneagles, Scotland, 6-8 July. There the bus will deliver the messages from African people to the G8 leaders when they gather to make some crucial decisions about global poverty.

ActionAid will be also be launching a new report on Monday 20 June, Don’t Make Poverty, laying down the actions that G8 leaders must agree at Gleneagles if they are to support, not undermine, African’s own efforts to help themselves.