Press Releases
Ecumenical statement in support of MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY Irish campaign
Everyday over 30,000 children die as a result of extreme poverty and injustice. That?s one child every three seconds. Most of these deaths are preventable. We have the resources, knowledge and technology to end this human tragedy ? but we need more political will to make it happen. There are encouraging signs that this is happening, but more needs to be done. Building that political will means each one of us making our voice heard.
In Ireland, an unprecedented group of NGOs, trade unions, religious congregations and community groups have joined forces ahead of the G8 in Gleneagles to form a coalition - MakePovertyHistory Irish campaign. It is part of the Global Call to Action against Poverty ? a massive movement of people who share a vision of a better world. All these people are united by a common symbol ? a white band.
We are happy to endorse the aims of the MakePovertyHistory Irish campaign: to work for trade justice, to drop the unpayable debts of poor countries and to meet our international obligations on aid, ensuring it is well spent to reduce poverty.
As part of the global actions taking place all over the world this week, the MakePovertyHistory Irish campaign are hosting a rally in Dublin city centre on Thursday 30th June at 6.30pm. It is an important moment to call for an end to injustice and make our voices heard ahead of the G8. It is also a chance to send a clear message to our own government that its commitment to making poverty history matters to the people of Ireland. We would encourage as many people as possible to show their solidarity with the world?s poor and to come along to the rally.
Signed:
The Rev Des Bain, President of the Methodist Church in Ireland
The Most Rev Seán Brady, Archbishop of Armagh, Primate of All Ireland
Rachel M. Bewley-Bateman, Clerk of Ireland Yearly Meeting, Religious Society of Friends.
Major Margaret Fozzard, Major, Dublin City Corps, The Salvation Army
The Most Rev John Kirby, Bishop of Clonfert, Chairman of Trócaire
The Most Rev Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Dublin
The Rev Dr Fritz Meyer, Pastor, Lutheran Church in Ireland
The Most Rev John Neill, Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin
Dr Martin Sauter, Chair of the Dublin Council of Churches
Fr. Calin Florea, Romanian Orthodox Church in Ireland
The MakePovertyHistory rally will start at 6.30pm in Parnell Square and make its way to Merrion Square, where there will be speakers and music. For more information visit www.makepovertyhistorty.ie
Further Information from:
Mr Garrett Casey,
Diocesan Communications Officer,
Dublin and Glendalough
Tel: +353 1 6106447
Mob: + 353 87 2356472