July, 2005

This month, Sight is asking a series of prominent Australian Christians the question - how can we end global poverty?

Dr Keith Suter is a consultant on social policy with Sydney's Wesley Mission.

“There are many reasons why Africa is the world’s only continent that is not making much economic progress - many are home-grown issues including corruption, a lack of human rights and a shortage of skills. But Europe is also partly responsible, imposing a patchwork quilt of about 55 countries on a continent that had about 1,500 languages. There have been, as a result, many conflicts and while the African colonies may now be free, some things do not change. The G8 leaders meeting in Scotland discussed Africa - but without any Africans present. They still figured they knew best. And Africa is still aiding European and North African economic and social development. It pays back in bank loans more money than it receives in foreign aid. Many of the best school students get a university education overseas and never return home. Is there one single recipe to “solve” Africa’s poverty? Probably not. But there are many small steps that should be taken, including: writing off all the debts (and not just 10 per cent agreed to this month); supporting non-governmental development organizations; encouraging private philanthropy and foreign direct investment from corporations; and, finally, opening the markets of Western nations to farm goods and manufactured goods from Africa. This means an end to the protectionism in the US and European Union. Just giving aid is a bridge to nowhere. There has to be scope for African countries to sell their goods on the international market. There is nothing to say that Africa will always be a ‘failed continent’. African countries may not be destined to be super powers - but neither are they doomed to be economic basket cases.”

Hugh Evans is the founder of youth run aid and development agency, the Oaktree Foundation.

"Poverty is about a lack of opportunity, a lack of control, a lack of power and a lack of resources. To consider whether we can end poverty we first need to define it as either absolute poverty (those living on less than $1 per day), moderate poverty (those living on just over $1 per day) or relative poverty (poverty relative to a given community). I believe we can end absolute poverty if those in need who would seize opportunity are given it. The answer to ending poverty does not simply lie in allocating more resources to the developing world. It lies in the will of man and the empowerment and self-determination of man’s brother. The answer must be a collective one and it requires a global partnership, involving aid, fair trade, debt relief and accountable governance. A movement away from the traditional paternalistic ‘service delivery’ approach is needed to break the poverty cycle. This involves the recognition that some of the best development projects have no ‘tangible’ outcomes (buildings etc), but rather involve enhancing the capacity of people to determine their own future. Developing communities need the power to make decisions, to challenge unjust structures and most importantly to believe in their ability to provide for their own needs. We can end absolute poverty…but for the will of man."

Steve Bradbury, national director of TEAR Australia, chairman of the Micah Network, and international co-chair of the Micah Challenge.

"Now is the time. At the turn of the millennium all 191 member states of the United Nations pledged themselves to the achievement of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDG). In so doing, the world's heads of state have provided us with an extraordinary opportunity to dramatically shrink the world of poverty. What makes these goals so remarkable is their clear commitment to a timetable. By being so time-specific, they give us an exceptional set of 'advocacy levers'. The development community and all who are committed to working for a more just and compassionate world, can and must use these levers to hold our leaders accountable and insist that they fulfill their promises. We are persuaded that this may well be a God-given time of unique potential. Has there ever been an occasion before when the intentions of the world's leaders echo something of the mind of the Biblical prophets and the teachings of Jesus concerning the poor? What better time, then, for Christians around the world - poor and rich - to raise our voices in a prophetic and urgent call to governments, insisting that they deliver on their MDG promises to the poor? The Micah Challenge and the Make Poverty History campaigns give voice to the moral outrage in our communities against the persistent violence of poverty. At the heart of the Micah Challenge is a deeply spiritual conviction: that the Creator of the universe requires all governments to 'give justice to the weak and the orphan; maintain the right of the lowly and destitute', and to 'rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked' (Psalm 82). In addition to the political dimension of the Micah Challenge is its call to Christians everywhere to deepen our commitment to work as agents of hope. We recognise that it is not enough to 'talk the talk', we must also 'walk the walk' of justice and mercy."

Tim Costello, chief executive of World Vision Australia.

"Around two billion people worldwide tuned into watch the Live8 concerts at the weekend and as such heard the message that we can Make Poverty History. Yes, this is a challenge but it is a challenge that we can do something about. All 191 member states of the UN - including Australia - have signed up to achieving eight Millennium Development Goals to halve poverty by 2015. But we need to ensure that these world leaders honour their pledge with not just words but action. The first seven goals focus on changes in developing countries, which include issues of health and education. But the eighth goal places clear responsibility on richer nations. We can only alleviate poverty with a combination of more and better aid, fairer trade and debt relief. The generosity of the Australian Government following the Asian tsunami is to be commended. The Government now has the opportunity to build on this and make a difference. While Australia has led the way on trade issues, we currently give just 0.28 per cent of GNI in overseas aid. We would want to see the Government produce a timetable to increase overseas aid by at least 0.5 per cent of GNI by 2008, in line with reaching an international target of 0.7 per cent by 2015. There is a whole new generation of voters who are watching what leaders do to address extreme poverty. For these young people extreme poverty has become a personal issue. They want to live in a global village where 30,000 children do not die each day due to poverty.The causes of poverty are global and so are its solutions. If two billion people can join together to watch a concert in support of combating poverty then surely world leaders can join together to take action to help the billion people who currently live on less than US$1 a day."

Paul Peters, chief executive of Opportunity International

"As the CEO of Opportunity International, I see first hand some of the poorest areas of the world. Our organisation works by giving poor people with a business idea the tools to get themselves out of poverty. The things we take for granted - the ability to apply for a loan, access to banking facilities and business advice - are what millions of people in underdeveloped countries around the world are crying out for. The broad title for what we do is Micro Enterprise Development (MED). It is important to realise that this is not a handout. In fact, most of our clients don’t want a handout - they want empowerment of their ideas and abilities, and the opportunity to participate in their communities. If successfully implemented, not only does MED give people the opportunity to put their business ideas into motion, it gives them a sense of dignity and communal responsibility. The best part of this process is that I know it works - I’ve seen it first hand. I’ve seen individuals transformed, families saved and communities turned into areas of hope rather than despair."