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.

  • Achieving MDG7 saves lives!

    Posted by Tabitha

    30 May, 2011

    We live in a country where we take it for granted that we have clean drinking water in our taps, toilets that work and food on our tables - life's most simple necessities, right? But for people in poor countries, who rely heavily on their local environment and ecosystems, environmental instability means access to these basic needs is not guaranteed. This Sunday is 'World Environment Day' - a good chance to reflect on Millennium Development Goal 7, which seeks to ensure environmental sustainability for the world's poor, and aims to assist the poor to cope with environmental degradation and a changing climate. MDG7 also includes targets to help improve water and sanitation in poor communities. Here at Micah Challenge, we believe that EVERY PERSON should be able to enjoy God's provision through creation. The reality of our 'global village' is that we really do 'Share the Earth' with our brothers and sisters around the world. The decisions we Aussies make about how we use the earth can have a positive or negative impact on the world's poorest people. For me… read more

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  • Do we really value Mothers?

    Posted by Tabitha

    5 May, 2011

    I saw my sister give birth. Yep, that's right! And it was way less scary than most of you are thinking! In fact I found the experience hugely encouraging, and I now understand what people mean by the cliché "the miracle of birth". With her husband beside her and the attention of an experienced midwife, my sister was able to labour in a birthing suite at her local public hospital (that of the acclaimed TV program RPA, no less). She had access to a large room, private courtyard and spacious ensuite. She chose a natural water-birth and, thankfully, experienced no complications in bringing her new baby girl, Mabel, into the world. They went home that afternoon after receiving breastfeeding support, and a child and maternal health nurse visited them at home for the next few weeks. I was amazed by the quality of medical care they received. Sadly, this is far from the experience for many women in our world. Just last week I got back from a trip to India where I visited the development projects of some of our endorsing agencies. I asked one of the women I met what… read more

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  • No more head-nodding observers

    Posted by Marissa

    8 April, 2011

    Last Saturday was the NSW Micah Challenge Training Day, which brought together people from all around Sydney to participate in a range of workshops and networking sessions. Topics included political engagement; key campaign focus areas such as health (MDG4+5) and environmental sustainability (MDG7); as well as advocacy and theology. It was a great day of conversations about the work of Micah Challenge, as well as the development organisations involved in our coalition. I really valued seeing people come and be informed about how as Christians we need to commit to engage more fully in the arena of poverty and social justice, even as it starts at home with the Australian Government's AusAID program. I was also really impacted by some reflections from the Chair of the Micah Challenge National Steering Committee, Paul Perini, who encouraged us to make sure we are 'participants' in the work of justice, and not just 'observers'. I was reminded that Jesus is our prime example of fully engaging with the world - and that this has significant political implications. The… read more

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  • Our friend Howie: The politics post

    Posted by Howie

    22 March, 2011

    Friend of Micah Challenge, Howie, got to thinking about Christians and politics and decided to write about it. From the outset of this post I would like to say that I'm no political junkie nor do 'I think I'm right and you're wrong' when it comes to politics. I know it sounds dumb but I guess it's been a journey for me. A couple of years ago I didn't really care at all about politics. I would read stuff on smh and watch the news and from that I decided if I liked or disliked a politician. So I thought I would try and answer some questions, I've tried to come up with a bunch of questions that I think are worth exploring. Stumbling through facebook (the one true source for views, emotions and photos of people drinking beer at parties) I find it interesting to see what people write on their profile under 'political views'. Some people are very exact in their views and say things like 'Labour party of Australia'. But on the whole, especially with Christians it typically says something like 'politics?????'. Partly I think it's a generational thing where politics just… read more

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