16 March 2018
MAKE POVERTY HISTORY – the next steps
On Tuesday 31 January, MAKE POVERTY HISTORY member organisationsmet to determine the next steps for 2005's world-changing campaign.The mood was of celebration and determination. Activists werereminded that the character of the campaign will change in 2006,but the commitment to action continues. Coalition members,including the Methodist Church and the Methodist Relief andDevelopment Fund (MRDF), stressed that active and collectivecampaigning on trade, debt and aid will continue into 2006.
Anthea Cox, Coordinating Secretary for Public Life and SocialJustice, commented: 'There is plenty to celebrate: 2005 was anamazing year, with Methodists expressing an overwhelming commitmentto changing the lives of those affected by global poverty. Postcardcampaigns, rallies at the G8 summit and lobbying at Westminsterinfluenced political decisions that will change lives all over theworld. As a result of this year of campaigning, nineteen countrieshave received further debt cancellation, freeing up vital resourcesfor health and education spending; G8 leaders have agreed an extra£50 billion of aid for Africa and the UK government has begun totake on board the arguments for trade justice. Churches up and downthe country contributed to these victories, adding their voices tothose of millions of people worldwide who want to see an end topoverty.'
Kirsty Smith, Director of the Methodist Relief and DevelopmentFund, said; 'It is time to deepen and extend our engagement withthe issues, not diminish it because we have moved to a new stage inthe fight against poverty. The energy and enthusiasm mobilised byMAKE POVERTY HISTORY in 2005 was fantastic, but as with any majorcampaign, it takes more than one year to bring about real change.This momentum must not be lost and it's down to us to hold ourpoliticians to the promises they made last year. 2005 was a bigyear for campaigners in this country, with both the G8 and EUpresidency held by the UK, but this is a worldwide campaign. Now wecan all play a role in supporting the work of the Global Call toAction against Poverty (GCAP), which unites anti-poverty campaignsin both North and South. MRDF partners Jubilee Debt Campaign andTrade Justice Movement, two of the core networks that make up MAKEPOVERTY HISTORY, will be instrumental in carrying on campaigning in2006 and beyond.'
MRDF partners Jubilee Debt Campaign and the Trade Justice Movement,two of the core networks that made up MAKE POVERTY HISTORY, will beinstrumental in carrying on campaigning in 2006 and beyond.Methodists can visit