Government pledges to unite with poverty campaigners
GOVERNMENT calls for the whole of society to halt global poverty are being hailed a major triumph by leaders of Micah Challenge UK.
Micah Challenge UK is part of a global movement of Christians, churches and Christian organisations united in its aim of campaigning for governments to work to alleviate poverty. On Micah Sunday, (October 14), churches held themed services with poverty related sermons and prayer sessions and members wrote campaigning letters to the Government.
Micah Challenge leaders were encouraged by a statement from the Department for International Development (DFID) released following Micah Sunday, which recognised the efforts of global poverty campaigners and called on people from all walks of life to respond to this most urgent of causes.
The statement read: “What we need now is an international effort that harnesses the power of everyone: the private sector, individuals, consumers, faith groups, cities, civil society organisations, as well as governments, north and south, to work together to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.”
The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are a set of eight targets for tackling global poverty by 2015. DFID said it was “proud of the progress that has been made” but recognised that the world still faced “a development emergency” if it was to meet the MDGs.
It stated: “That is one of the reasons why we, on behalf of the UK government, welcome the actions of millions of people around the world this week to show their commitment to achieving the MDGs.”
Earlier in the year Micah Challenge supporters sent almost 25,000 postcards to the Prime Minister calling for the Government to address global poverty as part of its Blow the Whistle campaign. The campaign aimed to “blow the whistle at half time” during the summer of 2007, which marked the halfway point to the deadline for the MDGs.
Andy Clasper, Micah Challenge UK executive director, said: “The church is one of the most truly international organisations in the world. This means we feel keenly the current injustice of global poverty and the urgency of this development emergency.
“Churches up and down the country have marked Micah Sunday this week, demonstrating their commitment to addressing the needs of the world's poor. It is encouraging to see the Government responding to these and other campaigning actions being taken this week and recognising the urgency of this issue. This statement shows that campaigning does make a difference to the Government and is an encouragement to Christians everywhere to get involved in campaigning.
“We are encouraged by the Government’s use of the word ‘emergency’ because with millions around the world dying each year in poverty, that’s exactly what this is.”
Andy added he now wanted to see the Government translate its promises to the poor into a series of concrete, specific actions and use its international influence to gain matching responses from other nations.
The Rev Cyril Rogers, social responsibility advisor for the Diocese of Sodor & Man, on the Isle of Man, held a Micah Sunday service. He said: “The question is not 'Can the MDGs be achieved?' We know they can. It is 'Will the MDGs be achieved?' The answer to that lies in the commitment and determination of people to make sure the issues do not get forgotten, but get worked on. Micah Challenge is a good tool for achieving that by mobilising people in and through the churches.”
ENDS
Media enquiries:
Jo Duckles
Micah Challenge Press Officer
0207 207 2102/07789 768040
Notes to Editors:
- Micah Challenge was founded in 2004 and is a worldwide movement of Christians, churches, church organisations and key individuals across more than 40 countries.
- Micah Challenge is named after the Old Testament prophet Micah. The challenge is based on Chapter 6, verse 8: ‘'What does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God....'
- Core members working within Micah Challenge UK include: African and Caribbean Evangelical Alliance (ACEA), Alpha International / Holy Trinity Brompton, BMS World Mission, Christian Aid, Christian Medical Fellowship, Christian Today, Evangelical Alliance, Faithworks, Global Connections, New Frontiers International, Oasis, Shaftesbury Society, SPEAK, Tearfund, World Vision UK.
- For the full text of the DFID statement, visit www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/white-band-day.asp.
