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.

  • Voices for Justice: Micah 6:8

    Posted by Micah

    20 June, 2010

    Voices for Justice 2010 participant, Mark, reflects on his time in Canberra This weekend I'm out of town in this sunny nations capital, Canberra. Why they didn't just agree that Sydney was a lovely city and really should have been made the capital is beyond me. Canberra is quite similar visually it seems, to the boil on the British landscape that is Milton Keyenes, but there is no accounting for taste. Anyway, why am I here? Stevey B and I are down here to lead worship for Micah Challenge's Voices for Justice conference. VFJ is an amazing event that gathers Christians together to lobby parliament on issues of social justice, aid, poverty, climate change and more, it was set up to help Christians take seriously the mandate of Micah 6:8: Do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with God. It's fair to say I'm being challenged by it all. Tomorrow a group of about 300 people of all ages will be going into Parliament house to meet with Prime Minister Rudd and other parliamentary leaders to question and challenge them on where the government will be spending its… read more

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  • Political Engagement: Keys to effective lobbying

    Posted by Micah

    1 June, 2010

    By Guy Barnett, Liberal Senator for Tasmania Political engagement is an important part of the advocacy process - but often an intimidating one. Lobbying our political representatives at various levels can help bring about policy changes that push governments to lead our society to becoming more just. Most ordinary Australians, while having the opportunity to engage with their political representatives, do not engage politically beyond voting - often feeling a sense of powerlessness about being able to bring any change to the system. However, the story of one politician - Tasmanian Senator Guy Barnett, shows that ordinary people committed to building a relationship with their MP can indeed make a difference and help take their MP on a journey. In 2008, Senator Barnett made an Adjournment Speech, explaining that just a few years ago, a young campaigner asked him if he knew about the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and what he was doing about them. At the time he had no knowledge of the goals. Over the years and several meetings later, Senator Barnett is now a… read more

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  • Selective advocacy?

    Posted by Micah

    24 May, 2010

    By Micah Challenge International Director, Joel Edwards I just can't get my mind around Christians who pay taxes, pray for our governments but think that reminding them about poverty has nothing to do with being Christian... Within a two week period I chatted with three Christian leaders who all felt that the church holds the only key to society's recovery. Their basic conviction was this: the Church has a mandate to worship and serve people through evangelism and social care but persuading governments to act on behalf of the poor and marginalised was both a waste of time and a misreading of our mandate. I stand in awe of the work and character of all three but I left feeling unconvinced that they were right. So it was good to have been a part of a recent forum on Government Foreign assistance and God's Mission in the World. The meeting was orchestrated by Bread for the World, Center for Applied Christian Ethics and Micah Challenge and sponsored by the Gates Foundation. In 2007 US foreign aid was $28.9 billion - a lot more than any other nation but still… read more

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  • Insurance and the MDGs: Promises, participation

    Posted by Micah

    17 March, 2010

    Promises are a product. I work in insurance claims. I work in the promise business. Insurance products are not like other products. When you buy insurance you don't get to bring home a sexy shiny new gizmo, you bring home a promise. The promise is that if an unexpected, unforeseen sudden loss occurs, it will be covered. Politicians work in the promise business too. Politicians make promises to get elected and/or stay in office. In my business we are required by law to keep our promises. If we do not, the courts will make us. But what happens when politicians don't keep their promises? That is up to us. We are the court. Participation is a popular buzzword in development circles these days. People need to participate in their own development for the development to be truly transformational and effective. I agree. The developed world needs to get participation as well. Participation from churches, citizens, campuses across the global north that holds leaders accountable to their promises. This year's campaign aims to do just that. It is a call for Christians… read more

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