Campaigning
Whatever the issue – water, trade, hunger or climate change – getting to grips with poverty means influencing those who have the power to tackle underlying causes. We all have a voice to use.
Tearfund doesn’t just deal with the symptoms of poverty, but the causes as well. That means hands-on work in poor communities around the world – and influencing decision-makers when it comes to the major issues affecting poor people today.
Make Poverty History
Zambia is proof that campaigning really does work. Savings made from debt cancellation mean that Zambia will have 4500 new teachers and it will be able to build new schools and increase healthcare funding, especially for HIV and AIDS treatment.
This debt cancellation was agreed by world leaders in 2005, the year of the Make Poverty History campaign.
There were extraordinary moments. Twenty-five thousand people attended an all-night vigil in Westminster in April; nearly 250,000 came to march in Edinburgh ahead of the G8 meeting of world leaders; and 97,000 Tearfund supporters sent a postcard to the Prime Minister to show that they were behind the campaign.
The political decisions taken during the year would not have been taken without the passionate commitment of campaigners. And around the world millions of ordinary citizens are continuing to campaign on the issues on which there was less progress.
Tearfund supporters were among the 225,000 people marching in Edinburgh.
It’s not only global issues that need an advocate. It’s necessary on a national level. For example, in southern Sudan, Tearfund is working to promote an agreement that ends three decades of war with the northern government, while taking action in partnership with local churches and Christian organisations to deal with the fall-out of the conflict.
For individuals And it can be vital on an individual level, for people like Juan Maellea, one of thousands unjustly imprisoned on charges of terrorism in Peru, but now free, thanks to the campaigning by local Tearfund partner charity, Peace and Hope.
Tearfund speaks out to raise awareness among people in the UK and Ireland, and draw the media’s attention to issues affecting poor communities and individuals.
We encourage our supporters to pray, campaign and lobby the government. Because doing so changes lives.
‘Speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves.’
(Proverbs 31:8).