Micah Challenge welcomes MP’s ‘Make Poverty History’ questions
Christian's Urged to Join Mass Anti-Poverty Rally on June 2
Christian coalition Micah Challenge UK has welcomed the action of an MP who asked the Prime Minister how the UK Government aims to keep promises to halve extreme poverty by 2015.
Andrew George, MP for St Ives, during Prime Minister’s Question Time on Wednesday, 23 May began by asking Tony Blair what progress he would report to forthcoming EU and G8 summits on the Millennium Development Goals.
His words were inspired by ‘The World Can’t Wait’ rally on Saturday 2 June at which 10,000 people are expected to gather on the banks of the Thames. Before the rally Christians will be joining to ‘Blow the Whistle’ at a worship service in Central Methodist Hall at Westminster.
Blow the Whistle is a Micah Challenge campaign launched to encourage Christians Blow the Whistle at half time. The Millennium Development Goals were set in 2000 by world leaders at the United Nations Millennium Summit and 2007 is the halfway point to the deadline.
Micah Challenge is a coalition of Christian organisations and churches united in their aim to hold to account the Government to meet the Millennium Development Goals.
Mr George went on to ask: “As campaigners say, the world cannot wait, so does the Prime Minister believe that G8 leaders will ever live up to the hopes of their people and, if so, what does he believe it is now necessary to deliver (the Millennium Development Goals)?”
Mr Blair spoke about the successes of Gleneagles in increasing the number of children going into primary education and improvements in HIV/AIDS treatment.
Referring to the G8 Summit he said: “We have to do more and we will do more – the next couple of weeks will be vital in that.”
Andrew Tanswell, Micah Challenge Chief Executive, said: “Andrew George was right to point out that the results of the Gleneagles G8 two years ago do not deliver the promise of making poverty history.
“We are halfway through to 2015 when we promised to halve global poverty. Unless radical steps are taken in the second half we won’t get there.
“That’s why The Micah Challenge, a coalition of Christian churches and organisations will ‘Blow the Whistle’ at half time before joining ‘The World Can’t Wait’ rally on Saturday 2 June.
“Christians of all denominations will be meeting to demonstrate their unity and readiness to speak out on behalf of the world’s poorest people. They will then join thousands of other people on the banks of the Thames to blow whistles and send Tony Blair off to the G8 in Germany with a clear message that the world can’t wait ringing in his ears.”
ENDS
Media enquiries:
Jo Duckles
Micah Challenge press officer
0207 7207 2102 / 07789768040
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, 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.
- Tickets for the service at Methodist Central Hall are available via www.micahchallenge.org.uk.
