Christians unite to 'Blow the Whistle' on global poverty

Archbishop John Sentamu backs challenge to UK Government

15 March 2007

Micah Challenge – a coalition of Christian charities – is launching its ‘Blow the Whistle’ campaign, to challenge the UK Government to fulfil its promises to poor nations.

At the United Nations' Millennium Summit in 2000, world leaders made a promise to halve extreme poverty by the year 2015 by setting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

This year is halfway to 2015, and Christian leaders are launching the ‘Blow the Whistle’ campaign to call on our Government and the international community to look at the half-time scores and resolve to turn the match around so that extreme poverty and hunger really are halved for the world’s poor by 2015. Progress has been made – for instance, on debt cancellation – but more needs to be done on issues such as sanitation, trade justice, education, climate change and the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Archbishop John Sentamu has lent his support to the campaign: “Let us join our voices together in holding our Government to account. This summer it's half-time to halve poverty, and many of the goals are in danger of not being met.“

The press launch for the campaign will be introduced by the chair of Christians in Parliament and Conservative MP for South West Bedfordshire, Andrew Selous. He said: “I am very pleased to be hosting the official launch of the 'Blow the Whistle' campaign. The issues of poverty and injustice are of great concern; it is our responsibility in the developed world, to do all we can to promote security and prosperity for all.”

Andy Reed, Labour MP for Loughborough, has also expressed his support for the campaign. He said: “This area is vitally important to the Government; progress has already been made on debt cancellation, and the churches highlighting these issues are a crucial part of the ongoing campaign.”

The press launch of 'Blow the Whistle' will take place on 15 March 2007. Attendees will include Tearfund Chief Executive Matthew Frost, World Vision Chief Executive Charles Badenoch, World Vision’s Advocacy, Communications and Education Director Rudo Kwaramba, and General Director of the Evangelical Alliance the Rev Joel Edwards.