14th December , 2007
NELL POTTER
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Scroll down for a larger version of this image. Acrylic and mixed media on canvas, its actual size is 76cm x 76cm.
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No choice.
No one chooses where they were born.
No one chooses to be born female in a world that favours the male.
No one chooses to be born into poverty or be shackled by its consequences.
No one chooses to die an infant from diseases that are easily cured.
But the world has a choice in its response to these things.
Indeed, no one chooses where or when they are born. The only exemption is when over 2000 years ago God became man in the baby Jesus. That deliberate incarnation of the Holy One to earth restored not only humankinds relationship to God but also gave us the ultimate example of how we are to live in relation to each other.
The Bible lists over 2000 verses about poverty and injustice. The interests of the poor and outcast, were and are of high importace to God. Jesus gave us example after example of his concern for the marginalised in society, the poor, the widow, the diseased. We are called to follow his example.
In the year 2000 the United Nations established the Millennium Development Goals. A set of 8 ambitious goals that seek to address the rampant poverty and inequality in our world. These goals echo the teachings and principles of the Bible and our leaders should be applauded for putting poverty on the world's agenda till 2015. Good intention however, is not enough to make the achievement of these goals a reality. Our leaders need to be urged to follow through with their promises. We need to let our concerns for the poor reach our leaders ears. Only with enough prompting will overseas aid levels increase, unequal trade rules changed and climate change (which will affect the poor the most) taken seriously.
This painting illustrates a number of the Millennium Development Goals:
• Goal 1 - reduce by half the proportion of people living on less than a dollar (US) a day;
• Goal 3 - ensure girls have the same access to education as boys;
• Goal 4 - cut infant and child deaths by two thirds;
• Goal 6 - begin to reverse the incidence of malaria and other diseases like TB;
• Goal 7 - reduce by half the proportion of people without access to safe drinking water;
• Goal 8 - address issues such as trade, debt, aid and public health to promote economic growth and poverty reduction.
It is one of my contributions to help keep poverty issues in the lime light and to follow Jesus' example and be an advocate for the poor.
This image is for sale with 10 per cent of proceeds going to Micah Challenge. Visit www.evocartive.com.au for more information.
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