
UC supporters highlighting Australia’s commitment to contribute 0.5% to halving poverty by 2015, through the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals.
The Upper Kiewa Valley Uniting Church social justice committee has been resolutely committed to various advocacy issues for the past 10 years. As well as asylum seeker issues, support for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) has been an area of particular interest.
“Over the years we’ve tried to encourage members to get engaged in a variety of actions supporting social justice,” congregation member Piers Hartley said.
“When we first started getting involved a common response was ‘these issues are important but where can we start?’
“We’re much more involved now. We have letter writing sessions, we’ve held a social justice expo and of course we support participation in Voices for Justice.”
Voices for Justice, an annual event held late last year in Canberra, brings Micah Challenge supporters face-to-face with politicians to advocate for the MDGs.
“Those of us who attended Voices for Justice were invited to make a presentation to our local presbytery a few weeks ago,” Mr Hartley said.
“I think it’s a really important event. It’s very effective in highlighting the overseas aid budget and protecting against cuts and keeping up awareness and commitment to the MDGs.
“In that way I think it’s really effective in encouraging people to get involved as they can see first-hand the need to support these kinds of initiatives.”
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