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CAMPAIGNING

Take five steps to combat poverty this Easter

From sending postcards to Tony Blair to wrapping churches in giant white bands, Tearfund is urging Christians to take five simple steps this Easter to support the Make Poverty History campaign.

New resources for churches, available this week, examine why poverty still exists 20 years on from Live Aid and outline ideas for prayer, churches activities and campaign actions to support the Make Poverty History campaign.

Resources include Tearfund's new church pack for Easter, Step Forward, plus a new Make Poverty History action guide, campaign postcards and white bands.

This year sees a series of exceptional opportunities for the British Government to use its influence with other powerful western nations to tackle poverty, as it hosts the G8 Summit in Scotland in July and assumes the Presidency of the European Union the same month.

Recognising the impact that Christians had on governments through the Jubilee 2000 anti-debt campaign, Tearfund is calling on Christians to take similar action on the issues of trade, aid and debt, the central focus of the Make Poverty History campaign – a coalition of more than 260 aid and development agencies, faith groups and campaigners.

Andy Atkins, Tearfund's Advocacy Director says, "Every day 30,000 children die needlessly because of poverty. This is a hidden emergency that can be stopped but what's lacking is the political will. By stepping forward and speaking out against the scandal of poverty, Christians and churches have the opportunity to influence what happens this year for the better."

The Archbishop of Tanzania and head of Tearfund partner the Diocese of Ruaha, Donald Mtetemela, echoes Tearfund's call to action. He says: "We live in a global village. Today it is Africa that has the problems. If we want to live as brothers and sisters in this global village then we have to pull together. No-one should be able to say 'that's none of our business'."

As a member of the Make Poverty History campaign, Tearfund is calling on the British Government to use its influence at these and other key meetings this year, to bring an end to unjust trade rules, cancel 100% of unpayable poor country debt and dramatically increase and improve international aid.

Five steps to help Make Poverty History

Step 1: Get your church involved - Tearfund's Step Forward church pack tells the compelling story of a Tanzanian woman called Joyce who has walked the equivalent to three times around the world just to collect water for her family. The pack includes a video, PowerPoint presentations, talk outlines, a quiz, posters, campaign postcards and a worship song written by Soul Survivor worship leader Tim Hughes.

Step 2: Sign a postcard - Get as many people as possible to send a Make Poverty History postcard to the Prime Minister, asking him to use his influence at the G8 and at other opportunities throughout the year to secure trade justice, bring debt relief and provide more and better aid. Send an online version from www.makepovertyhistory.org or order copies from Tearfund on 0845 355 8355.

Step 3: Wear a white band - Show your support for change on trade, aid and debt by wearing a Make Poverty History white wristband. Order yours free from Tearfund at www.tearfund.org/campaigning or call 0845 355 8355.

Step 4 Come to Edinburgh - Tearfund is urging as many people as possible to visit Edinburgh on Saturday 2 July just before the G8 summit, to send a resounding message to world leaders to take action towards tackling world poverty. There will be plenty of Tearfund events throughout the weekend. Keep an eye on the Action update section of Tearfund's website to see how to get to Edinburgh and where to stay.

Step 5: Organise a local event - Get as many people as possible involved in Make Poverty History. Hold a mass postcard signing, or write your messages and prayers on a huge white band. You could use the white band to wrap up your church or take it to Edinburgh for the rally on 2 July prior to the G8 summit.

For ideas order a free copy of Tearfund's Make Poverty History Action Guide from www.tearfund.org/actionguide or 0845 355 8355.

© Christian Family Network
is run by CPO, supported by
Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting,
Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.


		CAMPAIGNING Take five steps to combat poverty this Easter From sending postcards to Tony Blair to wrapping churches in giant white bands, Tearfund is urging Christians to take five simple steps this Easter to support the Make Poverty History campaign. New resources for churches, available this week, examine why poverty still exists 20 years on from Live Aid and outline ideas for prayer, churches activities and campaign actions to support the Make Poverty History campaign. Resources include Tearfund's new church pack for Easter, Step Forward, plus a new Make Poverty History action guide, campaign postcards and white bands. This year sees a series of exceptional opportunities for the British Government to use its influence with other powerful western nations to tackle poverty, as it hosts the G8 Summit in Scotland in July and assumes the Presidency of the European Union the same month. Recognising the impact that Christians had on governments through the Jubilee 2000 anti-debt campaign, Tearfund is calling on Christians to take similar action on the issues of trade, aid and debt, the central focus of the Make Poverty History campaign – a coalition of more than 260 aid and development agencies, faith groups and campaigners. Andy Atkins, Tearfund's Advocacy Director says, "Every day 30,000 children die needlessly because of poverty. This is a hidden emergency that can be stopped but what's lacking is the political will. By stepping forward and speaking out against the scandal of poverty, Christians and churches have the opportunity to influence what happens this year for the better." The Archbishop of Tanzania and head of Tearfund partner the Diocese of Ruaha, Donald Mtetemela, echoes Tearfund's call to action. He says: "We live in a global village. Today it is Africa that has the problems. If we want to live as brothers and sisters in this global village then we have to pull together. No-one should be able to say 'that's none of our business'." As a member of the Make Poverty History campaign, Tearfund is calling on the British Government to use its influence at these and other key meetings this year, to bring an end to unjust trade rules, cancel 100% of unpayable poor country debt and dramatically increase and improve international aid. Five steps to help Make Poverty History Step 1: Get your church involved - Tearfund's Step Forward church pack tells the compelling story of a Tanzanian woman called Joyce who has walked the equivalent to three times around the world just to collect water for her family. The pack includes a video, PowerPoint presentations, talk outlines, a quiz, posters, campaign postcards and a worship song written by Soul Survivor worship leader Tim Hughes. Step 2: Sign a postcard - Get as many people as possible to send a Make Poverty History postcard to the Prime Minister, asking him to use his influence at the G8 and at other opportunities throughout the year to secure trade justice, bring debt relief and provide more and better aid. Send an online version from www.makepovertyhistory.org or order copies from Tearfund on 0845 355 8355. Step 3: Wear a white band - Show your support for change on trade, aid and debt by wearing a Make Poverty History white wristband. Order yours free from Tearfund at www.tearfund.org/campaigning or call 0845 355 8355. Step 4 Come to Edinburgh - Tearfund is urging as many people as possible to visit Edinburgh on Saturday 2 July just before the G8 summit, to send a resounding message to world leaders to take action towards tackling world poverty. There will be plenty of Tearfund events throughout the weekend. Keep an eye on the Action update section of Tearfund's website to see how to get to Edinburgh and where to stay. Step 5: Organise a local event - Get as many people as possible involved in Make Poverty History. Hold a mass postcard signing, or write your messages and prayers on a huge white band. You could use the white band to wrap up your church or take it to Edinburgh for the rally on 2 July prior to the G8 summit. For ideas order a free copy of Tearfund's Make Poverty History Action Guide from www.tearfund.org/actionguide or 0845 355 8355. © Christian Family Network is run by CPO, supported by Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting, Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.