A child dies every three seconds
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 - the Make Poverty History 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 Make Poverty History 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 actions taking place all over the world this week, the Make Poverty History Irish Campaign is hosting a rally in Dublin city centre this evening at 6.30.
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.
Rev Des Bain
President
Methodist Church in Ireland
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
Dublin City Corps
The Salvation Army
Most Rev John Kirby
Bishop of Clonfert
Chairman of Trócaire
Most Rev Diarmuid Martin
Archbishop of Dublin
Rev Dr Fritz Meyer
Pastor, Lutheran Church in Ireland
Most Rev John Neill
Church of Ireland
Archbishop of Dublin
Dr Martin Sauter
Chair, Dublin Council of Churches.
