7 February 2011
Tearfund response to Secretary of State for International Development speech at General Synod:
‘It’s good to hear the Secretary of State for International Development speak up for the role of faith communities in tackling global poverty.
‘As a Christian relief and development agency, we know from our 40 years experience of working in the world’s poorest countries that churches can often reach the parts other organisations cannot reach. They are the local community and are often best placed to lead communities to make their own decisions about how to meet the needs of their poorest neighbours.
‘We welcome the proposal to make sure the expertise of faith communities is recognised through a Department for International Development (DFID) steering group, and look forward to contributing in whatever way we can.
‘As we approach the deadline for keeping our promises to the poorest people in the world through the Millennium Development Goals, we call for DFID to put together a strategy to make sure that the role and value of churches and other faith communities are recognised and fully included in all plans to tackle global poverty.’
Matthew Frost
Chief Executive, Tearfund
NOTES TO EDITORS
For further information or interview requests call Katie Harrison on 07949 181414 or Tearfund Media Team on 0208 943 7792. For out of hours media enquiries please call 07710 573749.
Tearfund is a Christian relief and development agency and a member of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC).