YMIS - SU Queenland

Christel was in Canberra as part of Voices for Justice, a gathering of supporters of the Micah Challenge campaign. The event brought together hundreds of campaigners from around Australia, who want to see the Australian Government act on issues of extreme poverty. In particular, the event calls on world leaders to fulfil their commitments to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

In times of economic uncertainty it’s the poorest of the poor who will be worst affected. The World Bank now estimates that more than 300 thousand more children will die each year if the Global Financial Crisis continues.  By increasing Australia’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) to 0.7% - or just 70cents in every hundred dollars – of our Gross National Income (GNI), Australia could help save the lives of millions of people in extreme poverty.  The Rudd Government has committed to spending 0.5% of GNI in aid by 2015, but this will fall short of what is needed to achieve the MDGs.

Living in the Prime minister’s electorate, Christel was hoping for a meeting with the man himself, but instead was able to meet with Mr Scott Dewar, Foreign Affairs advisor to the Prime Minister.  Christel, along with Christian leaders from the pacific region, the Congo and from her electorate, discussed with Mr Dewar their concerns about the alarming rate of child mortality in developing countries, the effect of climate change on the poor and how Australia needs to step up its response to these issues.

Although Christel was unable to meet the Prime Minister, she was impressed by his attendance and speech at the launch of the Poverty and Justice Bible in the Great Hall of Parliament House – an event hosted by World Vision, the Bible Society and Micah Challenge as part of the campaign.

Voices For Justice helped participants see that they have a part to play in affecting the decisions of our leaders.  This was Christel’s second time at Voices for Justice and she found it a very exciting opportunity.  “When I visited India last year I met with people in the slums who asked me to get my government to do something about the terrible poverty their friends were experiencing”, she said, “Voices for Justice gave me the opportunity to urge my government to do just that.  I never thought politicians cared about the poor but now I have a bit more hope that something can be done on this level.”

Micah Challenge is a global movement of aid and development agencies, churches, schools, groups and individuals who want to deepen their engagement with poor communities and influence world leaders to meet their commitments to the Millennium Development Goals.

For more information about the campaign or to get involved visit  www.micahchallenge.org.au.