Micah Challenge keen to help bishops keep on marching to 2015
Christian anti-poverty coalition Micah Challenge is delighted to have supported 650 bishops of the Anglican Communion in their July 24 march against global poverty – and is challenging them to keep on marching all the way to 2015.
The march, which saw the bishops and their wives carrying placards of “Halve Poverty by 2015” and “Do Justice”, was co-organised by Micah Challenge. The march began in Westminster and ended at Lambeth Palace with a rally addressed by the Prime Minister.
The event called on governments and the Church to renew their commitment to grasp the opportunity the Millennium Development Goals – eight measurable goals to halve global poverty by 2015 – afford the world.
Gordon Brown spoke passionately about the importance of the MDGs and praised the on-going influence of the Church around the world, both in providing education and health care to the poorest and in using its voice to bring an end to injustice. He described the march as “one of the greatest public demonstrations of faith that this great city has ever seen,” urging bishops to continue marching and to “have confidence” that working together they could see global poverty eradicated.
Executive Director of Micah Challenge Andy Clasper said: “We are encouraged by the passion with which the Prime Minister supported what the Anglican Communion and Micah Challenge are doing. We welcome his acknowledgement of the key role the Church is playing not only in what it is delivering on the ground but also in speaking out against injustice.”
The UN will be convening an emergency meeting on the MDGs on 25 September in New York , where world leaders will review progress and commit to concrete efforts, resources and mechanisms to bridge the gaps. Micah Challenge believes that urgent action must now be taken if the MDGs are to be achieved.
In a challenge to the UN, Clasper echoed Brown’s message that the MDGs are not out of reach, and committed that Micah Challenge would continue to support the Church in speaking out to see them achieved. “We call on people of faith and good conscience around the world to join us in campaigning on this greatest of causes. All eyes are now on the 25th September but it does not stop there. We want to see how Gordon Brown and world leaders deliver on the pledges they have made and Micah Challenge will work to support the Church worldwide in raising a united cry until this is done. The promises made to the world’s poor must be kept.”
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Media enquiries:
Charis Gibson
Evangelical Alliance
020 7207 2117 / 07917 050126
c.gibson@eauk.org
Notes to Editors:
- Micah Challenge is a coming together of people, in 40 different nations, who want to take up the challenge laid down by Old Testament prophet Micah, and speak out against the injustice of global poverty. Micah Challenge UK is working with churches, charities, and others to help people think differently about global poverty, and to empower them to pray, act together and speak out for its alleviation.
- Micah Challenge UK’s members include: African and Caribbean Evangelical Alliance (ACEA), Alpha International/Holy Trinity Brompton, BMS World Mission, CBM UK, Christian Aid, Christian Medical Fellowship, Christian Today, Evangelical Alliance, Faithworks, Global Connections, New Frontiers, Oasis, Shaftesbury Society, SPEAK, Tearfund, World Vision UK. See www.micahchallenge.org.uk for more details.
- The Millennium Development Goals are:
- Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
- Achieve universal primary education
- Promote gender equality and empower women
- Reduce child mortality
- Improve maternal health
- Combat HIV/Aids, malaria and other diseases
- Ensure environmental stability
- Develop a global partnership for development
For more information on the 25 September UN High-level Event, visit www.un.org/millenniumgoals/2008highlevel.
