At the General Assembly of the WEA in Pattaya, Thailand, last October there was a discussion about the global financial crisis and the effect of this on progress towards the MDGs. Micah Challenge and the WEA together produced the following resolution:

WEA/Micah Challenge Preamble And Resolution On MDGs

Preamble:

In the year 2000 the world’s governments committed themselves to cutting global poverty in half by 2015.  Further, both wealthy and less developed countries pledged to do what was necessary to achieve a set of eight measurable Millennium Development Goals that would fight endemic disease and the spread of HIV, malaria and TB, give every child the opportunity for basic education, drastically cut death rates in childbirth and improve the health of mothers, urgently address the water and sanitation crisis, reduce the unbearably high rate of infant deaths, struggle for the equal rights of women, and work to care for the earth, including tackling climate change.  The eighth goal commits all of us, nations, corporations, churches and civil society, to create an enduring global partnership for development.

The WEA recognized in these goals an echo of the mind of the biblical prophets and the teachings of Jesus concerning the poor.  In the spirit of Integral Mission, the WEA in 2004 joined with the Micah Network to create the Micah Challenge, a global Christian movement to deepen Christian commitment to the poor and hold political leaders accountable to keep the promises they have so rightly made to do justice, eradicate unnecessary suffering, and offer opportunities for those made in God’s image to thrive and His creation to be respected.

On the occasion of its General Assembly of 2008, compelled by the Gospel’s unequivocal call to Love and Justice, the World Evangelical Alliance, reaffirms its commitment to stand in community and solidarity with all who suffer poverty and oppression, and with a groaning creation. 

We note with hope some progress in primary education, malaria eradication, and on the HIV front.  However, halfway to 2015, we are deeply distressed by the lack of significant progress in achieving the MDGs. 

In coping with the financial crisis of 2008, Governments and International Institutions have shown how quickly and effectively they can move to mobilize massive resources in the face of serious threats to our global, common economic well being.  Yet one child dying of preventable causes every three seconds and 2.7 billion people barely sustained on an income of less than two dollars per day has yet to evoke a similar level of urgent response.  We believe this to be an affront to God, a shame to governments and civil society, and a massive challenge to the witness and mission of the followers of Christ.

Resolution:

The WEA therefore calls on governments around the world to significantly scale up their efforts to achieve the MDGs and to see the on-going crisis of global poverty as one of the most critical threats to peace and our common well-being.

In order to meet the challenge to the witness and integral mission of the WEA, we call on our national alliances, associations, fellowships, denominations, and commissions to plan specific, supportive, and collaborative action in nations where Micah Challenge campaigns already exist, and to help develop Micah Challenge campaigns where none yet exist. 

Finally, we pledge to work and pray for an awakening of the Church to its task and potential as a truly global body of Christ. 

In His Grace: “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.”  Ephesians 3:20

cbm is pleased to announce the first in a new annual series of seminars to mark the International Day for Persons with Disability within the context of aid and development.

Enable 08
The Disability in Development Seminar
December 2, 2008
West Plaza Hotel
Wellington

cbm is hosting Enable 08 in our capacity as the world’s largest organisation specialising in improving the lives of persons living in poverty with disability.  Our view is that the Millennium Goals for poverty reduction cannot be achieved without addressing disability.

Enable 08 is bringing together speakers with very wide and deep perspectives on disability and development.

Enable 08 promises to be a fascinating and rewarding exploration of the unique challenges of meeting the needs of the poorest, most marginalised and most vulnerable people in the world.

Places are limited, for more information click here or to register email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it with Enable 08 Registration Info Request in subject line and register as soon as you can.  We look forward to sharing ideas with you about issues that are crucial to human life and dignity in the 21st century.

Micah Sunday was on 19 October. Activities were planned in every country where Micah Challenge has partners. The following are extracts of reports from around the world.

Portugal

• 5,000 Christians from evangelical churches attended Micah Sunday.
• On Tuesday we delivered an open letter against poverty to the Prime Minister and Cabinet followed by a meeting with an adviser from PM.
• On Friday morning before MPs voted the budget we met all political parties (six) at Parliament and several delegations from Micah Challenge Portugal and a Catholic Network met MPs during 3 hours. They are waiting from our suggestions against poverty.
• Our campaign for churches – 8 Days to change the world – with 8 national patrons – 8 MDGs – 8 bible verses - finished on Sunday evening and more than 100 churches were involved in it.
• The main daily newspaper published our open letter against poverty, signed by 257 Portugese organisations.
• MC newspaper and poster was paid by our patrons.
• "Hot potato“ campaign is passing on tv, radio stations, metro stations and next week in all cinemas. All for free!

What a great week!

Kenya

• Participated in the National Poverty Hearing on 12th Sep 2008. A petition was drawn up and presented to the Assistant Minister representing the Government. It was then to be presented to the Head of State,
• Facilitated a Sensitization Breakfast meeting in collaboration with GCAP and UNMC today 8th Oct 2008. Over 130 senior bishops and pastors were present. All signed the commitment form to take one action or the other in their respective churches. Activities to be conducted on the 17th include prayer rallies, food distribution, clothes collection and distribution, tree planting, peaceful march through the town, among others.
• Hold two sensitization meetings away form the city center with local church leaders in the informal settlements on the week 13th -17th Oct 2008
• Conduct a major concert/prayer rally with church affiliated artists on the 19th Oct 2008 afternoon as a major crowd puller.
• Facilitate the Stand Up [and Take Action for Poverty] day in all churches represented at the breakfast – numbers targeted for this will be communicated shortly.

South Africa

They were holding a series of poverty hearings around the country. These were to be followed by a march to Pretoria on the 17th October 2008. This march was calling for:

• the CSG (Child Support Grant) to increase to age 18
• Increase the limit of Free water to poor house holds
• Make the key food items zero-rate for VAT
• The Ratification of the UN Convention on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

Peru

• On the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, GCAP (which Micah Challenge is part off) conducted a forum on October 17 entitled "Fight against Poverty and the Global Economic Crisis" to reflect on the world economic crisis and progress in the fight against poverty. 
• They distributed 870 copies of Micah Sunday posters, and Prayer and Worship guides, to churches in different parts of Peru.
• They promoted Micah Sunday through Christian radio, and via email. On the Monday before they had a TV interview on Channel 42.

"Many churches are committed to the Micah Sunday on October 19".

France

They had a 'Hungry for Justice' action, asking church-members to sign cardboard-plates to send to the city mayor, and to members of Parliament.

Switzerland

They were part of a campaign of Swiss NGOs collecting about 200,000 signatures to petition the parliament to increase ODA to 0.7 % of the GNP (this has still not been accepted. A proposal to move from 0.39% to 0.5% will come back to the parliament in November).

Germany

They reported that 45 churches took part in the activities around Micah Sunday.

The Micah Sunday resources included a study guide and prayer guide. Both of these are resources that can still be used on any occassion. Links to the resources are available below:

• Prayer guide (1.2MB pdf file) – focuses on our response to global issues like food security, employment, climate change, migration and international aid
• Study outline ‘Moving to do mercy - When the eyes see’ – please note that this pdf file starts with a blank page. Scroll down to page 2 to start seeing the information! This guide also provides suggestions for a youth meeting and a children’s class

The guide was written by Erika Izquierdo from Peru and produced in Latin America.

God of Justice

"God of Justice" is a song by Tim Hughes that picks up the Micah theme. The words, chords and a YouTube version may be found here...