Micah Challenge welcomes Brown's united nations speech
Anti poverty coalition Micah Challenge UK is ready to be part of Gordon Brown’s “coalition of conscience”.
Micah Challenge UK – a Christian coalition which campaigns to ensure the Government meets the Millennium Development Goals – applauded the Prime Minister’s UN speech yesterday (Tuesday).
Laura Webster, Senior Policy Advisor at Micah partner Tearfund said:
“It’s inspiring to see the PM at the UN addressing what he rightly refers to as a ‘development emergency’ and acknowledging the role of churches and faith based organisations.
“Many of the Millennium Development Goals are unlikely to be met. Churches fighting HIV and AIDS and working tirelessly to reduce poverty at community level will welcome this leadership. But we must see action at an international level - and soon, because the PM is right – lives, quite literally, hang in the balance.”
Andy Clasper, Micah’s Executive Director, said: “Gordon Brown has always taken a strong lead in getting the British Government and the international community to raise their sights in addressing the urgent challenge of global poverty. It's a tremendous encouragement to see that his desire to do this has not diminished since entering Number Ten. I agree with Mr Brown that 2100 and even 2050 is too long to wait for justice, too long to wait when we have such an historic opportunity to make such a big difference to this greatest of causes. Christians and the church in the UK are fully committed to being part of what the Prime Minister calls a coalition of conscience. I applaud the Prime Minister's efforts to keep this issue on the agenda."
Bernie Ayreetey, Senior Public Affairs Advisor for Micah partner World Vision, said: 'Gordon Brown declared today that we should prevent our pledges descending into just aspirations. When it comes to providing education to the most vulnerable groups including children in conflict zones and those with disabilities the poverty of our aspiration is stark. A laser beam focus is required now to ensure that for these children, justice thus far deferred is not justice ultimately denied.'
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Notes to Editors:
- Micah Challenge was founded in 2004 and is a worldwide movement of Christians, churches, church organisations and key individuals across 32 countries, with 13 more national campaigns to launch throughout 2007, to make sure that the MDGs are implemented.
- 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 the Micah Challenge UK include: African and Caribbean Evangelical Alliance (ACEA), Alpha International / Holy Trinity Brompton, BMS World Mission, Christian Medical Fellowship, Christian Today, Evangelical Alliance, Faithworks, Global Connections, New Frontiers International, Oasis, Shaftesbury Society, SPEAK, Tearfund, World Vision UK.
