Micah Challenge Australia Blog

 

The Micah Challenge blog is a space for discussion and debate about the issues of global poverty, faith, advocacy and justice and the Millennium Development Goals. This blog aims to provoke thought and challenge you to learn more about the issues discussed. We welcome your comments.

Micah Challenge is a global campaign of Christians speaking out against poverty and injustice. Click here to visit the Micah Challenge website.

  • Just the way it's always been

    Posted by Amanda

    31 October, 2011

    Leaders of the biggest economies in the world will meet in France later this week to discuss (and try to resolve) some big financial issues. The G20 will bring together leaders from 19 nations (plus the EU) who together represent 90% of the world’s GDP, 80% of the world’s trade and 66% of the world’s population. Fears about the health of the U.S. and European economies will inevitably be at the top of the political and media agenda. Of course, private meetings between bureaucrats and Ministers have been going on for months now to decide what the leaders will agree when they jet into Cannes. And in that lengthy process of negotiation and compromise, ideals inevitably get watered down – it’s a matter of what can be achieved much more than what should be achieved. In the 2005 film, “The Girl in the Café”, about an imaginary G20-type meeting, Lawrence, a consummate bureaucrat confesses, “We get into the habit of compromising and therefore we are always compromised.” President Sarkozy, who will… read more

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  • Ordinary Prophets

    Posted by Amanda

    18 October, 2011

    Last month over 230 ‘ordinary' people in Australia took four days off work, study or family commitments to visit Parliament House in Canberra for the Voices for Justice gathering. They prepared in prayer then knocked on doors to talk, listen and debate about global poverty with the leaders of their nation - these Micah Challenge supporters are a powerful and prophetic voice on the Millennium Development Goals. All over our world, ordinary Christians are discovering their prophetic advocacy role on justice and righteousness issues. It's a faith tradition that somehow got lost in some parts of the Church last century but Old Testament figures like Daniel, Joseph, Moses and Nebuchadnezzar had no issues dealing with kings to get things done for God and to make life more godly for all. And throughout the history of the Church, people motivated by biblical truth, have tried to right wrongs. Elizabeth Fry is a personal favourite on my list of prophetic Christians. An ‘ordinary' mother and wife, living very comfortably, she yearned for God to… read more

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  • Helping pollies overcome their 'poo taboo'

    Posted by Micah

    4 October, 2011

    The topic of poo is not usual dinner table conversation for nice Christians, and certainly taboo during a meeting with a politician. But last week - and no doubt to the horror of etiquette experts - that's exactly what was the topic of discussion between the leaders of our country and 230 Christians. I was a first-timer at Micah Challenge's Voices for Justice. Like a little raindrop, I joined Christians from across Australia, descending upon Canberra in a deluge of justice, overflowing with love for the world's poorest people. The pitter-patter of these raindrops was a gentle but persistent sound our politicians could not ignore, as we advocated on behalf of people living in extreme poverty. This year, there was a focus on the pressing issue of sanitation in developing countries and increasing aid to 0.7 % of our Gross National Income (GNI). With the volatility of our current political landscape, it was particularly important to encourage both sides of politics to remember their commitment to our poorest neighbours in the global village. The event… read more

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  • Tea and Toast: Take aways and reflections on Voices for Justice

    Posted by Micah

    26 September, 2011

    On the long drive home from Canberra, in the wee hours of the morning, I was asked what I will take away from Voices for Justice. I have come to realise that many of the things I have taken away can be applicable beyond Voices participants. I spent Sept 17-20 in Canberra at Voices for Justice, organised by Micah Challenge. Micah Challenge is a unified movement of over 50 Christian denominations and aid and development organisations who believe that seeking justice for the global poor and marginalised is an integral expression of the Christian faith. Voices for Justice is a campaigning event that builds community and trains everyday Australians, facilitating the opportunity to advocate and lobby politicians to meet our commitment to the Millennium Development Goals and reduce global poverty. "Take aways" // The call to do justice and to use our voice is for all of us - aware that God has gone before us, goes with us, and will follow after us. This was my first Voices for Justice, and I was amazed at both the diversity of organisations, traditions,… read more

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