Dear Chancellor Merkel,

I am writing as a concerned European citizen to ask that you make this year’s G8 Summit and EU Presidency really count for the world’s poorest people. During 2007 you have enormous influence on the world stage and the opportunity to make this a decisive year in the fight against global poverty.

When you meet with G8 and European heads of state in June, use your influence to:

Ensure full debt cancellation for all the countries that need it, deliver the aid that was promised in 2005 and go further, without imposing harmful conditions,
Ensure that international trade deals are just, and help reduce poverty by not forcing poor countries to open their markets to unfair competition or destroying decent work,
Provide funds to deliver education, clean water, sanitation, and healthcare for all, including meeting your promise that no one should go without treatment for AIDS by 2010,
Take action to limit global average temperature increase to far below 2°C, and provide funds to help poor countries develop sustainably and adapt to climate change.
Millions of people around the world have pledged their support over the last two years as part of the Global Call to Action against Poverty. The world can’t wait any longer for action. I am sending you my voice against poverty.

Yours sincerely,