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January 06, 2005

New Years Revolutions

The tsunami disaster has provoked a huge and generous response in the first days of the year. With the turning of the year also comes the opportunity for us to make a better world. In particular, for those of us in the UK, 2005 is a unique opportunity to change the face of extreme world poverty that claims 30,000 lives every day.

We know that a Christian response to suffering must be prayer, compassion, generosity, and action. There are other ongoing crises, especially in Africa, which have disappeared from our screens and maybe faded from our memories – such as those of the Sudan, Congo, and the harvest loss of the sahel.

The BBC questions whether aid for the tsunami disaster will divert much-needed funds from Africa, noting that “Africa is the only continent to have grown poorer in the past 25 years. It is the continent with the largest number of people living on less than a dollar a day - 49% of the total population. One African in three is undernourished.”

We could not have prevented the tsunami, but there are things we can do to prevent disaster elsewhere. And giving money is not the only Christian response…

2005 is a unique opportunity for the British Government, with the help of the British public, to transform the world for good. These opportunities include
· The UK hosting the G8 meeting in Gleneagles
· UK presidency of the EU
· The UK leading an International Commission for Africa
· The 20th anniversary of Live Aid

British Prime Minister Tony Blair has repeatedly said he wants Africa to be a priority during Britain's presidency of the G8 this year. Both he and George Bush have made it clear that now is the time for action for Africa.

Many Christian organisations in the UK have joined the campaign to Make Poverty History. This is an attempt to see Britain use its influence for good during this year, by changing the rules that perpetuate needless poverty and suffering. The three main targets of the campaign are trade reform , increased aid, and debt relief.

I will be posting regularly on these subjects throughout this year. In the meantime, please visit the website of Make Poverty History and sign up to join the campaign. For one year, let us make a concerted effort to change the world for good.

Posted by Keith at January 6, 2005 07:50 AM