Press Release from Micah Challenge International

World leaders meeting at November's G20 economic summit in France are being strongly urged to tackle world poverty by recommitting to work together to end the scourge of corruption, which keeps people in poverty across the world.

'Corruption and poor governance and transparency are major barriers to overcoming poverty in the least developed countries, and if the world leaders start to address these issues, then we will be on the way to reaching the Millennium Development Goals to which the world is already committed ', says Rev Joel Edwards, International Director of Micah Challenge, a global movement active in over 40 countries encouraging Christians to be committed to the poor, and hold governments accountable to the MDGs.

'Corruption at the highest level in some countries means that the very poor remain very poor, with resources going to a few people at the top, or to outside agencies who have bribed their way into contracts. And even when social or aid programmes are specifically designed to help the poor, funds are often diverted from front-line services because of bribery or inefficiency,' Joel Edwards says.

Have you noticed that your local MP is suddenly spending more time in their electorate, and Political parties are suddenly more interested in the views the Church as a valued part of a civil society? Yep it’s an election year - time for our politicians to knock on doors – shake hands and kiss babies – and more importantly get photographed doing so.

But before we get too cynical, it’s good to remember how privileged we are to live in a part of the world that has free and open elections. This a privilege many of us take for granted, at times with apathy and disinterest -  while in other parts of the world people are protesting, fighting, even risking their very lives for the right to engage in the democratic process.

From the 11 – 13 May I had the privilege and opportunity to attend the Micah Challenge Coordinators meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. With 22 delegates from 16 countries there was such a diverse group of people there – and yet we all had so much in common. From vastly different locations, cultures and languages – and yet we shared the same vision and passion. To Inspire and motivate God's people to take on the Challenge of halving extreme poverty by 2015.

It was great to get to know this wonderful group of people – to be inspired by the joys of their success and to be humbled by the difficult circumstance in which they work. 

One of the easiest ways that we can choose to live differently in response to the challenge of global poverty is through the purchasing decisions we make.  A great place to start is with buying Fairtrade products wherever possible and a great time to start is during Fairtrade Fortnight – which is right now.

The range of Fairtrade products is always increasing and the number of outlets has also increased – because of the demand of good people just like us. So make it a habit of asking for Fairtrade products where you shop – and thanking retailers for stocking fairly traded goods.