Urban poverty? It really is a juggling act
Trade justice: fighting to cut the strings
When humanitarian aid becomes a weapon
Best foot forward 500 miles gone – 500 miles to go: Christian Aid’s Cut the Carbon marchers take their message on the road
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Autumn 2007
www.christianaid.org.uk 6/8/07 17:32:55
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Editor’s letter
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An audio version of this issue is available. Call 08700 787 788 for details
Special report
■ 8 CUT THE CARBON MARCH REGULARS
FEATURES
■ 4 NEWS Climate marchers lobby bank…artist highlights work in Angola…new drive to boost volunteer teachers…a family unites in grief
■ 8 CAMPAIGNS SPECIAL: CUT THE CARBON MARCH They got the wind up in Northern Ireland, made a splash in Scotland – and now they’re hotting things up in England and hoping it won’t be wet in Wales: Christian Aid’s Cut the Carbon march is on the move – read about their progress so far in an eight-page special feature.
■ 16 COMMENT Politicising emergency aid work puts our people in danger, warns Nick Guttmann, head of humanitarian aid ■ 24 REFLECTION An eye-opening experience in Peru for the Rev Joel Edwards of the Evangelical Alliance ■ 25 EVENTS Where to go and what to see ■ 26 DO THE RIGHT THING Climate SOS exhibition goes on the road...new website goes online ■ 28 INPUT Your letters and emails
■ 18 FRONTLINE To tackle urban poverty, first you must silence the guns: four-page report on how partner organisations are responding to a dangerous challenge in Guatemala and Jamaica ■ 22 WORKING FOR JUSTICE Why the trade strings attached to World Bank money will harm cash-strapped countries ■ 30 SUCCESS IS DIVINE Supporting a fair-trade chocolate brand pays dividends
■ 30 FINAL WORD With actress Adjoa Andoh
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Pacemaker Press
I WAS ON a yacht with Christian Aid becalmed in the Irish Sea and making very slow progress towards Scotland, when I had the heretical thought. We should have gone by easyJet. It’s a cheap gag, but underlines the choices that we all must make if the aims of the Climate Changed campaign are ever to be more than empty rhetoric? This is a debate that Christian Aid News readers have become fully engaged with, as seen by the letters pages in both the last edition and this one. As a number of letters have revealed, some people resent money being spent on this campaign; preferring their donations to fund projects that put food into families’ mouths, that help those living with HIV, that help victims of conflict. Or, indeed, projects that directly help communities adapt to climate change. But Christian Aid continues to do all this and more. Our partners tell us, however, that climate change will undermine all of it if we don’t get massive cuts in carbon emissions in the industrialised world. The Cut the Carbon march is a high-profile event and merits a lot of coverage – in Christian Aid News as well as elsewhere. It doesn’t mean, as I have heard suggested, that column inches equates to money spent. The outlay on the march represents less than one per cent of what Christian Aid spends on overseas projects. The media coverage it is attracting would probably have cost us a fortune if we had booked the same amount of space and air time to advertise our work. Ultimately, though, it’s worth it because we believe it’s the right thing to do. As Kenyan marcher Mohammed Adow says: better to tackle the roots of climate change than have to spend more on food aid and other measures to deal with the consequences. Roger Fulton, editor
Contents Autumn 2007 Issue 37
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Christian Aid works with the world’s poorest people in more than 50 countries, regardless of race or faith. We tackle the causes and consequences of poverty and injustice. We are part of ACT International, the ecumenical relief network.
■ Cover Cut the Carbon marchers take their first steps in Troon: Christian Aid/Sue Osmond ■ Pictures Joseph Cabon, Brenda Hayward ■ Subeditors Martin Cottingham, Angela Burton ■ Circulation Ben Hayward ■ Design & production David Lloyd, Aynia Noever/Circle Publishing, 020 8332 2709 ■ Christian Aid head office 35 Lower Marsh, London SE1 7RL ■ Tel 020 7620 4444 ■ Fax 020 7620 0719 ■ Email info@christian-aid.org ■ Stay in touch with us online > News, campaigns and resources www.christianaid.org.uk ■ Christian and ethical service provider www.surefish.co.uk ■ Children and schools www.globalgang.org.uk ■ Our campaigning and student website www.pressureworks.org
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Marchers lobby bank ■ Honour for fund-raiser news christian aid
THREE VOLUNTEERS ON Christian Aid’s Cut the Carbon march to raise awareness about climate change have called on Britain’s second largest bank, the Royal Bank of Scotland, (RBS) to publish details of the carbon emissions it funds through loans it makes. Mohammed Adow (pictured right), Angela Rowe and Fraser Winterbottom met in Edinburgh with senior staff from the bank’s corporate responsibility team to urge RBS to cut not only its office and branch emissions in the UK, but to use its influence as a major global lender to trigger clean development worldwide. Mr Adow, who works for an organisation that helps cattle herders in Kenya adapt to the increasing droughts, told bank staff: ‘The decisions
Shop shape OTHER CHARITIES HAVE them on many a high street, but Christian Aid doesn’t do shops – except in Sedburgh. Every Christian Aid Week supporters in this small town in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, organised by Kath Hannam, set up the Christian Aid shop in the URC Rooms. This year visitors snapped up home-baked goodies, bric-a-brac, clothes, books and plants as the shop raised £2,000 towards an area total of £5,244. Maybe it’ll catch on.
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you make about where you lend money can affect how countries in Africa and elsewhere in the developing world expand their economies.’ RBS defended its record, saying it planned big emissions cuts in the UK by buying 100 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources. The company detailed how it had invested $2.6 billion in renewable energy and was funding research into carbon-capture technology. But it was unwilling to concede that it shares the responsibility for emissions from projects to which it lends money, such as fossil fuel extraction and coal, oil and gas-fired power plants. But Mr Winterbottom, a businessman from Buckingham, said a bank’s
lending portfolio was like a supermarket’s supply chain. ‘Supermarkets are already starting to report the carbon emissions that their suppliers produce when making goods for their stores. Banks should now work towards a new standard for disclosing how much carbon will result from the projects they fund.’ ‘As a customer of the RBS group, as well as a volunteer on the march, I want RBS to think seriously about its global impact as a company,’ said Angela Rowe, from Glasgow. ‘It is clearly already doing a lot at home, but climate change is a global problem and RBS is a global bank with global influence.’ Andrew Pendleton, Christian Aid’s senior policy adviser on climate change, also attended the meeting. ‘RBS clearly understands the
Pacemaker Press
Marchers press bank over carbon footprint
importance of cutting emissions and is taking some impressive steps to reduce its UK emissions,’ he said. ‘But for a bank, this is the tip of the iceberg. We are encouraging them, along with others in their industry, to disclose the full extent of the UK’s global carbon footprint through lending and investments throughout the world.’ ■ The longest march – see pages 8-15.
Fund-raising is just magic! CHRISTIAN AID IRELAND fundraiser Gerald Moore has won a top award for his magical achievements. Retired jeweller Gerald, who is involved in his church at Knock Presbyterian and in the wider community of North Down, received the Bryan Walliker Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year Award. Under the stage name Geraldo, Gerald (right) used his hobby as a magician to perform shows for a wide range of age groups, donating his fee to Christian Aid and other charities. In June he reached his target of £50,000. Deborah Doherty, church and community
manager for Christian Aid Ireland, paid tribute to Geraldo’s efforts, saying: ‘I cannot overstate his commitment to fundraising. He has achieved this single-handedly, producing his own flyers, contacting potentially interested groups, travelling the length and breadth of the country and even giving shows whilst on holiday. ‘He is a lovely, quietly spoken man with a great sensitivity to the needs of others, in particular those in the developing world. ‘It’s a unique way to raise funds and having seen his show many times, I know it is not as easy as he makes it look. Many hours are spent rehearsing new ideas before trying them out on his audiences.’
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A WORLD OF AID
■ Harry Potter’s girl backs our campaign
Snapshots of some of the work and issues facing organisations supported by Christian Aid GHANA As we went to press, staff from the Ghana Trade and Livelihoods Coalition were among one million people expected to attend a rally and concert to mark Ghana’s 50th anniversary of independence, which aimed to send a strong trade justice message to the EU, IMF and World Bank. ANGOLA A government official has accused two Christian Aid partners of using human rights claims as a cover for breaking the law. SOS Habitat protects poor people’s housing rights by opposing illegal evictions. The Association for Justice, Peace and Democracy (AJPD) works to protect the rights of prisoners, people living with HIV and other marginalised groups. Christian Aid is raising its concerns with the EU. MALI Flash floods in July devastated water and sanitation systems in the central region, and destroyed numerous small dams, built by Christian Aid’s partner Action for Human Promotion. These provided an essential water source for growing crops during the dry season in remote, drought-stricken villages. Christian Aid is supporting efforts to repair the damage.
CHRISTIAN AID’S CLIMATE CHANGED campaign has even reached the hallowed halls of Hogwarts Academy! Young actress Katie Leung, who plays Harry Potter’s girlfriend Cho Chang in the films based on J K Rowling’s books, gave her support to the campaign from the stage at Scotland’s T in the Park – the biggest carbon neutral music festival in the world – encouraging festival goers to sign up to the campaign and join Cut the Carbon marchers at the Edinburgh rally. Katie said: ‘The Cut the Carbon rally is doing something really important – highlighting what climate change is doing to the world’s poorest countries.’ Throughout the summer, thousands of festival goers across the UK have been given the chance to sign Christian Aid’s climate change petition. Festivals organiser Alisha Sanvicens said: ‘Despite some bad weather, the Climate Changed campaign has been well-received and hundreds of people have taken the time to support it.’
Christian Aid/Kieran Dodds
Potty about the climate
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO Christian Aid is pushing for justice in the case of Pascal Kubungulu Kibembi who was brutally murdered two years ago. Pascal was the general secretary of Héritiers de la Justice, a human rights organisation based in Bukavu. Paul Watson, Christian Aid’s regional manager said: ‘Only by having a truly fair trial can the government show that accountable governance has begun to take root in the country.’ SOUTH AFRICA A group of black farmers have won a landmark court ruling that acknowledges their right to land taken from them before and during the apartheid era, thanks to a ten-year legal campaign supported by The Nkuzi Development Association. The ruling will influence other similar cases and give hope to thousands of poor landless labourers who have faced the threat of eviction from land where their families have lived for generations. Christian Aid News
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■ Angola art exhibition ■ Survival kit for ministers ■ Bridge so far news christian aid
Portraits of a war-torn country RENOWNED WAR artist John Keane has produced a series of 11 new paintings on behalf of Christian Aid for a major new exhibition, Children in Conflict, at Wolverhampton Art Gallery in November. John travelled to Angola with Christian Aid to visit post-conflict projects and see the issues faced by millions of young people living in this war-torn country. He visited two partner organisations, SOS Habitat and Angolan Congregational Church (IECA), working in the capital Luanda and the remote southerly area of Mavinga in Kuando Kubango province. He spent time with children who had lost parents during the 27-year civil war, which ended in 2002, and saw how children and adults are working together to rebuild communities. He learnt that the spread of HIV is the next battle that Angola’s 15 million inhabitants face. John Keane said: ‘I met children who had endured horrific hardships, who had seen their parents murdered in front of them, had spent many years in Zambia as refugees; damaged children who have no choice but to hope the future will be better than their past.’ Many of John’s pieces for this exhibition are large-scale figurative paintings with elements of collage and pattern evoking the Angolan culture and depicting the individuals whose stories moved him. Almost half of Angola’s population is under the age of 15 and life expectancy is only 41 years. It has the third highest child mortality rate in the world with one in four children dying before their fifth birthday. Children in Conflict will run from 24 November tountil 16 February 2008 and will tour the UK next year.
Bridge walks top £1m
Visual aid for top team CHRISTIAN AID HAS issued ‘ministerial survival kits’ to Prime Minister Gordon Brown and five of his newly appointed secretaries of state in a bid to ensure that tackling world poverty is at the top of their agenda. The kits, created by Christian Aid’s policy and campaigns teams, contain a photograph and story of a person in the developing world who is suffering as a result of climate change or unfair trade rules. They also contain a bottle of water, mosquito net, condom, tin of tomatoes and a globe stress ball – visual reminders of Christian Aid’s messages on trade, climate change and HIV. Each item carries a label with startling facts and figures about global poverty. The kits have been sent to the prime minister, the foreign secretary, the environment secretary, the chancellor, the secretary of state for international development and the minister responsible for trade policy. Sally Golding, Christian Aid’s chief political advisor, says: ‘’While ministers take stock of the tasks ahead, the concerns of the poorest people in the world should be at the front of their minds.’
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MORE THAN 400 Christian Aid supporters who braved unseasonal summer weather to take part in the 35th anniversary Forth Bridge Cross in June raised £40,000, taking the 35-year total over the magical £1 million mark. The annual sponsored walk was the brainchild of the Rev John Carrie, who arrived as Minister of Queensferry parish church in 1971, and the first took place in 1972. ‘We are very grateful to everyone who turned out and we’re excited about the amount raised for Christian Aid,’ said organiser Mrs Gwenneth Williamson. ‘When you think that just £84 could pay the annual salary of a teacher in a Bangladesh school, it is really quite moving.’
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■ A family in grief ■ Plea for more volunteers
Volunteer teachers set to double
Family unites in grief IN THE LAST issue of Christian Aid News we reported the murder of William Garvia, 31, the brother-in-law and guardian of Chus, the young star of this year’s Christian Aid Week materials. Four days later, Christian Aid staff member Sian Curry, on a visit to El Salvador, went to meet Chus. She found a family deep in shock and sorrow. ‘William’s widow Domenica welcomed me with real kindness, but the tears never left her eyes,’ says Sian. William was shot twice as he walked the streets of San Salvador selling crabs, as he had done almost every day for 19 years. ‘Chus, now 17, was quiet and watchful,’ says Sian. ‘Domenica is proud of him. “I’m the man of the house now,” he’s told her. “I’ll always stay with you.” ‘ Christian Aid’s local partner Aprodenhi is stepping up its support for the family. ‘Even in the face of such a tragedy, they continue to be touched by Christian Aid’s interest and support,’ adds Sian.
CHRISTIAN AID PLANS to double the number of volunteer teachers it recruits over the next two years to help share stories about the work of its 700 partner organisations in 50 developing countries. We currently work with 150 volunteer teachers in 1,200 primary and secondary schools across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and want to increase that number to 300 by 2009. Volunteer teachers take assemblies, join citizenship days, share in leading lessons or class projects and provide teachers with information and resources on a range of topics including climate change, water, health and sanitation, trade justice and HIV. The number of visits depends on the individual but they are encouraged to aim for at least one a month. Training is provided by Christian Aid and all newcomers attend a one-day induction course. They are also given the chance to shadow an experienced volunteer teacher and will be supported by a local volunteer teacher network and local area office. Teaching resources and access to Christian Aid educational websites are provided free. Volunteer teachers will have expenses reimbursed. Christian Aid is keen to hear from anyone interested in becoming a volunteer teacher – from university students on PGCE or development courses, to retired or part-time teachers, or parents wishing to return to work. Lis Clugston, volunteer teacher said: ‘Most young people are aware of the bad things in this world and feel helpless about situations. Christian Aid offers them opportunities to do something. At every session at least one person will ask “how can I find out more?”’ People interested in becoming a Christian Aid volunteer teacher, as well as schools interested in arranging for one to visit them, should email: schools@christian-aid.org (for England), schoolsscotland@christian-aid.org (for Scotland), schoolscymru@christian-aid. org (for Wales), and schoolsireland@ christian-aid.org (for Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland). All volunteers are CRB checked before starting work.
TALK BACK THE THINGS THEY SAY ‘I grew up in a household that was at the heart of the local community, where people in need would come to the door – but my parents also had a global perspective and commitment to issues of international development. We had a Christian Aid poster in our kitchen which read “Live more simply so that others may simply live”.’ Douglas Alexander, Gordon Brown’s new secretary of state for international development ‘Real Trade would require rich countries to do five things: open their markets unilaterally to the products of all low-income countries; liberalise the “rules of origin” that result in 40 per cent of imports that should enter Europe tariff-free paying duties; give incentives to reduce the high tariff barriers between developing countries; abolish export subsidies that damage Third World agriculture; and give more Aid for Trade to help poor countries develop exports.’ Peter Lilley MP introduces the concept of ‘Real Trade’ – in the Conservative Party’s Globalisation and Global Poverty Group report
THE THINGS WE SAY ‘The call for Real Trade which gives poor countries access to rich markets while not demanding that they open their markets to the west in return, is an approach which has long been at the heart of Christian Aid’s campaign for trade justice and we welcome it.’ Charles Abugre, head of policy for Christian Aid
THE THINGS YOU SAY ‘Doing the Christian Aid Week collection did help me to take my mind off things. There is a lot of support for Christian Aid Week locally, it seems to be something that people are really willing to give to and we have a lot of support. It has been really amazing all the letters of support that we have received from everyone too, letters from our friends, from their children, from Alan’s friends. And also from our local Minister Jim McFarlane, who has been simply amazing.’ Margaret Johnston, mother of BBC correspondent Alan Johnston who was released after his kidnap ordeal in Gaza, on collecting for this year’s Christian Aid Week Christian Aid News
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London here we come! The Cut the Carbon march is the most ambitious protest event Christian Aid has attempted – and it’s happening on your doorstep (well, almost). As the marchers trek their way around the country, editor Roger Fulton looks back at the launch, and over the following pages marchers and supporters describe what the campaign means to them
BY THE TIME YOU read this, the 18 core marchers – ten from the UK and eight from Christian Aid partner organisations around the world – will be halfway through their 1,000-mile, 80-day odyssey to put pressure on the UK government and businesses to cut carbon emissions. They’ll have enjoyed the exhilaration of being cheered at
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rallies in Edinburgh, Newcastle and Leeds, and endured the misery of driving rain (a lot of driving rain), wind and blisters. Some have braved squalls and seasickness crossing the Irish Sea in a yacht. Chances are they’ll be exhausted, missing their homes and families, rarely having slept in the same bed twice. And they’ll still have around
500 miles to go before they can hang their boots up. From the start, there’s been intense media interest and coverage of the march. By the time they reach London on 2 October, the marchers will have given hundreds of interviews for national and regional newspapers, church press and radio. Some will have
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Christian Aid/Sian Curry
contributed online blogs, others will have featured on television news programmes. They’ll have met and talked to thousands of people at the rallies and at public meetings in dozens of towns along the route, debating the issues and building up support. Rarely will their words have fallen on deaf ears. Most of the time, they have been successfully
getting across the message that climate change is happening now, and that it’s people in the poorest nations – those least responsible for global warming – who are suffering first, and suffering the most. Make no mistake: this event has been a massive undertaking, both for Christian Aid and for the marchers themselves. Their
determination and commitment have been reinforced by the dedication of Christian Aid supporters who have been feeding them every day, giving them a bed every night, and generally urging them on. I joined the group for the launch in Northern Ireland on 14 July and a sailing boat crossing to Troon in Scotland Christian Aid News
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rising sea levels have already destroyed some villages and threaten many more. Brazilian Cassia Bechara, 35, raises many an eyebrow when she explains how small farmers are losing their land to multi-national agricultural companies that are planting vast swathes of eucalyptus and sugar cane. The irony: in many cases these environmentally damaging monocultures are being established with funding from the trade in carbon credits which are aimed at encouraging policymakers and businesses to adopt a more eco-friendly approach. The ten UK volunteers, representing all parts of the country, are walking to demonstrate a solidarity of purpose. As John Morlais Rowlands, 53, from Wales says: ‘By walking together we can show that countries and peoples should be able to work together to Cut the Carbon before it’s too late.’ They’re a great bunch. But don’t take my word. Join them en route and see for yourselves.
Voices from the march Margaret Boden, head of Christian Aid, Ireland: ‘Marching in Northern Ireland in July has only one reality – that of the Orange Lodge parades. Our challenge: how could we be part of the Cut the Carbon march without having to wade through the bureaucracy of the Parades Commission, not knowing if we would be given permission? Being surrounded by water was also a rather obvious drawback. Carbon-neutral sailing boats were the answer. ‘Launching’ the march by boat gave rise to a few quips – but it added to the sense of adventure as the walkers began their long journey. During the service of dedication held in the open air in Bangor, our walkers got to “meet and greet” the supporters and other bystanders. A line from one of the hymns sung that day – “I will hold your people in my heart” – fitted the occasion well.‘
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By walking together we can show that countries and peoples should be able to work together to cut the carbon before it’s too late
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where the marching began in earnest two days later. Belfast was where they all came together for the first time, to talk among themselves, to share stories and experiences, to start forging the bonds that will carry them through to London. Some of the international marchers had never seen the sea; others had never been to the UK before. But all have direct experience of the suffering caused by a changed climate in their countries – and how the poor are hardest hit. Mohammed Adow, from Kenya, has come to talk about the devastating droughts that have hit his country and how the organisation he works for – Northern Aid – is helping thousands of pastoralists adapt to the loss of their traditional way of life. Rosalia Soley, 22, has come from El Salvador to talk about how harvests are being lost, livelihoods ruined and communities damaged. Demosthenes Raynera, 39, from the Philippines, tells how Christian Aid News
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Demosthenes Raynera, 39, from the Philippines, is deputy coordinator at the Social Action Centre of Real, Infanta and Nakar, Quezon, a Christian Aid partner since 2004. He is responsible for relief and rehabilitation programmes that help people recover after heavy storms. During the march he had a call from his wife to say that he is to become a father for the second time. ‘I asked to come here to share my experiences on the carbon march. In the Philippines we are experiencing the effects of climate change because the weather is very abnormal now, with more typhoons. Some communities are experiencing the rise in sea level. There are areas where previously the seashore was 100 metres away. But now some of the buildings are very near the sea and when we have a storm surge during a typhoon, it destroys the houses and boats of the fishers. Many villagers have been forced to
leave the area, but when you are poor you cannot easily build another house. ‘The support we’ve been getting has been heartwarming. Most of the people we meet on the road are backing our call. And even though politicians we’ve met have also lent their support, it’s more important to me that the people are behind us because, in the end, it’s they who the politicos listen to.’ Risolat Said Muradova, 18, from Tajikistan, is the youngest marcher. She represents the Youth Eco centre, an environmental organisation based in the capital Dushanbe. ‘Our country has one of the lowest rates of carbon emissions in the world – 0.68 tonnes per person per year. Farmers make up the majority of the population; our future depends on them. But climate change is causing many to lose their harvests and is leading to increased migration. If
Royal message Prince Charles has sent a message of support to the Cut the Carbon march. Writing to Christian Aid director Dr Daleep Mukarji, he offered his ‘best wishes for the success of the campaign.’ they lose their harvest they lose everything and so the farmer has to migrate to find work, often going to Russia to work in construction. Also, the glaciers that make up a large part of our water resource are melting by up to 10-15 metres a year. If we lose our water we lose our electricity, because it is hydroelectricity.’ Rosalia Soley, 22, from El Salvador, is an economic science student. She works for the Network of
From left: Merryn’s hat was a big hit with the marchers preparing for the off in Bangor marina; sailing into Troon aboard the 56ft ketch of the Ocean Youth Trust Ireland; the tour t-shirt; a team photo (nearly): back row – Demosthenes, Rosie, Rachel, Simon. Middle row – Chira, John, Neil. Front row – Tim, Risolat, Stuart, Rosalia, Angela and Mohammed; Rosalia and Stuart tough it out at sea
Environmentalists in Action, coordinating local groups as part of an ecological risks team. ‘My country suffers a lot Christian Aid News
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Mohammed Adow from Kenya ‘My country has been ravaged by severe droughts over the past few years, which have had a particularly devastating impact on the pastoralist communities. During the last drought more than 70 per cent of livestock in northern Kenya died and more than a third of pastoralists have been forced to abandon their way of life as a result. They can’t support themselves and are relying on handouts from the United Nations World Food Programme. ‘Our CO2 emissions in Kenya are 0.2 tonnes per person a year. In Britain it’s 9.3 tonnes. It’s
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a cruel irony that the poorest people in the world, who emit the least carbon and who have lived in harmony with nature for the whole of their lives, are the ones falling prey to climate change. ‘Natural resources are becoming depleted. The dry spells are getting longer and access to water is getting very limited. The distance people have to walk just to get water is increasing. It is common for women and girls to walk 30km to get water. ‘The UK, as the country where the industrial revolution started, should assume responsibility for climate change and offer support for the poor to be able to adapt to cope with the extreme climate. ‘The international community as a whole is very interested in emergency responses to what’s happening, but that is not going to be the solution. It should lend its support by subsidising the clean development of poor countries to help regenerate the environment. I also implore Britain as a global leader to
influence the international community, to lead by example and cut its emissions by at least 80 per cent.’ Cassia Bechara, 35, from Brazil, works for MST, a Christian Aid partner supporting landless workers. ‘In Brazil, more small farmers are losing their land and becoming landless as a result of the impact of monoculture. Big agricultural companies take large areas of land to plant only products for export – eucalyptus for paper production, or sugar cane. And most of these companies are financed by carbon credits bought in the UK and other rich countries.’
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How ironic that the marchers started their protest walk just as floods hit many parts of the UK
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because the climate has changed. People are losing harvests and their livelihoods. It’s important that the British people know about our problems, because it’s not the fault of poor people in Central America, Africa, South America and Asia.’
Diane Green, area coordinator, Glasgow & West of Scotland, spent three days with the marchers during the first week. ‘Hosting the march in Troon, Kilmarnock and Glasgow was
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hard work but definitely worth it. Meeting people from so many different parts of the world has been really inspiring. I’ve always understood Christian Aid to be a movement of people young and old, rich and poor, north and south, working for justice and that’s been truly apparent – seeing Merryn, 68, from Hereford march with Rosalia, 22 from El Salvador, for example. ‘Local supporters have been fantastic too, opening up their churches for tea breaks, taking days off work to look after the marchers and lobby MSPs. Hearing different experiences of the destruction caused by climate change around the world has united us in our support of the Christian Aid campaign. How ironic that the marchers started their protest walk just as floods hit many parts of the UK. We all have to do something about climate change.’ Tricia, a trainee solicitor from Glasgow, listened to Mohammed Adow talking about climate
change at the Edinburgh rally. ‘I have to confess that I’m not really very into all this green stuff. But I have been converted by your man Mohammed. He was spot on.’ Laura Trevelyan of the campaigns team. ‘Word is spreading. I was on a train coming back from Edinburgh after a spell with the marchers and remarked to the lady sitting next to me that my feet were sore from marching.
She said: “Were you with the Christian Aid Cut the Carbon marchers?” When I said yes, she bought a pair of Cut the Carbon shoelaces.’ Liz Rhodes, one of two drivers for the back-up electric vans carrying the marchers’ luggage. ‘We were a little nervous about driving at 3mph for two weeks in our electric vans which are
This is what we’re marching for ■ To influence individuals, politicians and businesses to cut carbon emissions and to increase pressure on the UK government to act on climate change. ■ To persuade UK companies to publish their carbon emissions in their annual reports and to agree to cut their carbon emissions by five per cent each year. ■ To persuade the government that the UK should show leadership internationally by committing to a cut in carbon emissions of at least 80 per cent by the year 2050. This will set an example for other rich countries to follow when they meet at the UN conference on climate change in Bali in December.
From left: Fraser rallies the troops; Simon and Rachel spread the message in Edinburgh; despite pouring rain, singer Amy Macdonald performs at the rally in the city; single file is the approved way to march in the country; a foot massage for Rosalia; early warning for drivers; watery vision for Fraser
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Tim Jones, 25, from London, who works for the World Development Movement, is keeping a blog of his progress. ‘At one stop in Northumbria I was accosted by a local complaining about wind farm applications. He was scared about the damage wind farms in the countryside will have on the
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landscape and tourism. There is obviously a tension between local and global environmental damage. This is why the first thing we need to do as a society is limit the amount of energy we use as much as possible. The more energy we try to extract from the Earth, the more likely we are to damage it, whether through climate change, or through covering lots of land with wind turbines – if that can be seen as damage. ’As a non-Northumbrian I couldn’t argue for wind farms in Northumbria. I won’t be living near them. However, I did tell the local man that, as a child, I spent several years living next to Didcot coal-fired power station, and wished it had been a wind farm.’ Christian Aid volunteer Sue Burston, from Wooler in Northumberland: ‘We are very fortunate to have the marchers come through our area. It is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the issue of climate change and our response to it as Christians.’
Paul Brannen, head of campaigns: ‘Most people get most of their information from the media, so if Christian Aid has things it wants to say then it has to be on television and radio and in the newspapers. ‘Hence the raison d’être for organising the Cut the Carbon march; get Christian Aid’s message about climate change into the local and regional media across the country by organising a march across the country. Given people trust their local media more than the national media, it is a strategy worth pursuing – and it’s working. ‘As each day of the march passes the media cuttings file grows longer, and in so doing, the return on Christian Aid’s investment in the march becomes more evident. Not only is it enabling media coverage for the campaign and its aims, but the marchers are hard at work recruiting new supporters to the work of Christian Aid. We are also
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Thousands of poor are already becoming climate refugees in Bangladesh and living in city slums in inhuman conditions
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being used as a back up for the marchers. We took them for a practice drive around the car park in Troon. They looked as if they had shrunk in the wash! We fitted our roof racks onto them with the background sound of bagpipes tuning up for the Sunday walk. But driving them turned out to be less scary than the midges! ‘So far the vans have coped well and I’ve only had to beg a free charge for the van from one member of the public. Overall my memories will be of awesome commitment by the marchers and incredible hospitality from our hosts.’
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acting as highly visible witnesses for an interpretation of the Gospel which says loudly and clearly “We believe in life before death”.’
Last chance to march The Cut the Carbon march reaches its climax in London on 2 October, with a final rally and a service at St Paul’s. Thousands of supporters are expected to walk the final miles with the weary marchers – across the Thames and around the London Stock Exchange – to celebrate their achievement and thank the thousands of campaigners who have made the march possible. It’ll be a chance to hear about the response we’ve had from MPs and companies and find out how the shoelace petition has gone. Along the route, supporters are being encouraged to hand in old laces in exchange for Cut the Carbon ones. All the old ones will
be tied together and handed in to Prime Minister Gordon Brown as a form of petition. The final leg of the march in London starts at 11am in Potters Fields Park, SE1. More information on the event will be available at www.christianaid. org.uk nearer the time. The service in St Paul’s is free but you will need a ticket to get in. Call 020 7523 2258 to book your place. TV impressionist and climate campaigner Alistair McGowan will be among those speaking.
From left: Dancing across the ScotlandEngland border; the end of another tiring day; one for the march album
Climate vote Christian Aid is preparing a big drive this autumn to get MPs to vote for a more ambitious Climate Change Bill. A commitment to at least an 80 per cent cut in UK carbon emissions by 2050 is necessary if the UK is to play its part in preventing a level of global warming that would be cataclysmic for everyone, but especially for poor and vulnerable people. Please support us by sending a ‘Climate Bill Vote’ postcard or coupon to your MP. You can order the postcards from Christian Aid (code F1454) from mid-September. Call 08700 787788 or find them inserted in the Independent and the Guardian on 29 September.
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March pictures: Pacemaker Press; Christian Aid/Sue Osmond, Roger Fulton, Fraser Stuart, Claire Shelley
Dwijen Mallick, who works for Christian Aid partner the Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies, will be joining the march this month (August). ‘Salinity intrusion in the coastal areas and river bank erosion are already affecting the lives of millions of poor people in Bangladesh. It is predicted that a 45cm rise in sea level will inundate 10-15 per cent of the country by 2050 and may displace 35 million people from coastal districts. Bangladesh is already a highly densely populated country. Where will those people go? ‘Thousands of poor are already becoming environmental and climate refugees in Bangladesh, and living in city slums in inhuman conditions without basic amenities. They are also putting
enormous pressures on urban infrastructure, economy and service delivery systems. ‘It is the rich and developed countries who have to take major responsibility to stop dangerous climate change by cutting carbon emissions, and helping poor countries such as Bangladesh to address the negative impacts.’
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Aid: challenge for the future Humanitarian aid (hjumani’te:rian eid) n. Assistance that goes to people suffering in an emergency or a crisis, and which is provided entirely on the basis of greatest need, regardless of religion, ethnicity, or politics.
Why aid must be seen to be impartial Nick Guttmann, head of Christian Aid’s humanitarian division, warns that the battle for hearts and minds in high-profile conflicts is undermining aid workers’ traditional neutrality IMPARTIALITY IS the key to how Christian Aid and other humanitarian relief agencies work – but these days it’s not as easy to achieve as it used to be. Impartiality is not a problem if you’re working in a natural disaster such as a flood or earthquake. There may be huge logistical problems, but no one doubts that relief agencies are there to provide assistance based entirely on need. We can work with local communities to identify the people in greatest need and provide assistance to them. However, ensuring that the most vulnerable get the assistance that they are entitled to in conflict zones is far more difficult. Not only do we experience the strongest trying to grab what they can but, increasingly, the authorities and warring parties are using humanitarian assistance as a weapon in their armoury. In countries such as Sudan, Afghanistan and Iraq, our partners face these problems on a regular basis. In addition, in war zones, whatever you are doing may be perceived by either side as providing support to the other. So you have to be squeaky clean in ensuring that assistance is being given impartially based only on the needs of vulnerable communities regardless of where they live, their religion, political persuasion or ethnicity. In the past, aid was seen in a
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different light. Whilst abuse by governments and rebels is not new, by and large aid agencies were perceived as impartial, providing assistance to the ‘innocent victims’ of the conflict. You’d go into a conflict zone with your flag on your vehicle and people would respect that you were there to help, to provide impartial aid. Increasingly, especially since Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq, where international forces involved in the conflict are taking a bigger role in delivering assistance, the lines between military and humanitarian objectives have become blurred This makes our work more difficult and more dangerous. On average violent attacks on aid workers have nearly doubled between 1997 to 2001 and 2002 to 2005. In 1991 there were 77 violent attacks on aid workers with 47 killed or injured. In 2005 there were 174 incidents, of which 156 were killed or injured. In a conflict, the military want to win and see providing assistance as a way of achieving that. Our objective is to provide impartial humanitarian assistance to reduce suffering and support the reconstruction effort. Where there is no alternative because of conflict, the military does have an obligation under international humanitarian law to provide emergency, life-saving assistance to affected
communities when civilian authorities or aid agencies are unable to. But as soon as it is possible, the military should hand over to civilian groups to ensure that assistance is provided impartially. In Afghanistan the NATO forces are using Provincial Reconstruction Teams, (PRTs) to provide assistance and deliver reconstruction projects. Their aim is to win the hearts and minds of the population and thus ultimately secure their military objectives. But the projects that they are involved with, such as the building of bridges, schools and clinics should be the responsibility of the national or regional government or non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working in the country. Indeed much of this work is being carried out by NGOs already. But having armed soldiers doing this work in civilian clothes, using vehicles similar to those used by aid agencies, results in the NGO workers being seen in the same light as the military. They thus become targets of the insurgents fighting against the NATO forces. So how do we overcome this? First, we must engage directly with governments to explain the consequences of using aid, especially humanitarian aid as a weapon in the armoury of the military. Then, as aid agencies we must be very clear about what we are doing and why. We need to
Above: queuing for water at one of the many African refugee camps relying on humanitarian aid
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We have to keep pushing the message that our assistance is for the most vulnerable and those in greatest need
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make it explicit that our agenda is very different from that of the military. We have to keep pushing the message that our assistance is for the most vulnerable and those in greatest need. We must show that we are giving aid in an impartial manner. We cannot have hidden agendas. We cannot use our assistance as a front for political activity or for proselytising. We must work in a professional manner and ensure that all other actors in a conflict area are clear about our motives. It can and does work, but it’s difficult and as insecurity grows, it gets even harder.
Concern over peacekeeping force CHRISTIAN AID HAS expressed concern over the time it would take to get a 20,000-strong joint African Union/UN peacekeeping force deployed in Darfur. The proposal – which came on the eve of new peace talks in the region – came from new Prime Minister Gordon Brown, on a visit to the United Nations in July and won security council backing. It called for the creation of the world’s largest peace-keeping force to end the carnage and mayhem in Darfur which has claimed 200,000 lives and created two million refugees. Commenting on the plan, Christian Aid’s international editor Judith Melby emphasised that the international community still had to focus on achieving a political solution to the crisis. ‘The UK and France should use what ever leverage they have over Chad and Eritrea to encourage them to help build a consensus among the Darfur rebels,’ said Ms Melby.
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Urban poverty: taking on the guns Working in some of the poorest urban areas of the world is becoming increasingly challenging for Christian Aid. Violence is getting worse and working there means addressing that violence in order to improve people’s health and education and help them to earn a living. Three stories from Jamaica and Guatemala show how Christian Aid partners are successfully responding to the challenge
Guatemala
Walking tall in the fight for peace Sian Curry discovers a partner organisation that is helping deprived Guatemalan teenagers to rise above the cycle of violence WHEN THE bullets are flying in Guatemala City’s most notorious slums, it is hard to imagine how a teenager on stilts could help stop the shooting. But spending a couple of days with the buoyant young people at Caja Lúdica is a real eye-opener. This dynamic arts collective is playing a leading role in transforming some of the most dangerous streets in the world. Guatemala has the highest murder rate in Latin America. In deprived neighbourhoods ruled by brutal youth gangs, violent death, rape, kidnapping and extortion are daily occurrences. If the UK and Ireland had the same murder rate, we’d have 125 new victims every 24 hours. With body bags piling up that fast, it’s clear that something drastic has to be done. Step forward the stilt-walkers of Caja Lúdica. And the jugglers, dancers, musicians, poets, mono-cyclists, artists, acrobats and actors. When the Caja Lúdica youngsters line up to parade, they are – as one young dancer
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puts it – ‘fighting for peace’. Their chosen weapons are music, dance and carnival. Their battle plan is to recapture public spaces for enjoyment and togetherness. This they do despite death threats, and in defiance of continued killings. Mariela, 24, has lost eight of her friends to gang violence, but remains certain of the path she has chosen. ‘In the midst of violence and the shadow of war, Caja Lúdica offers young people a way to heal the wounds and find another way forward,’ she explains. Caja Lúdica’s approach is simple. They kick start their work in a particular school or neighbourhood with a spectacular carnival parade. After wowing the locals with their dexterity, they soon return to hold free workshops for youngsters who want to learn stilt-walking, juggling and other parade skills. There’s a lot of interest. Entertainment options are limited in these slum communities. And nobody is turned away – gang
members are welcomed along with everybody else. And so begins a process Caja Lúdica staff call ‘sensitisation’. Those who join the workshops learn teamwork, breathing and relaxation techniques alongside technical skills such as acrobatics or playing a musical instrument. The idea is to reconnect brutalised young people with their sense of humanity through activities ranging from quiet meditation to deafening drum-beats, from personal reflection to public performance. Within about 18 months, those who stay the course are ready to branch out into a new community, putting on a carnival parade of their own and sparking
Above: A carnival parade winds its way through the notorious slum of Mezquital
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Guatemala: Christian Aid/Sian Curry
Meet the performers… Luis, 18 wrath of the police, the mayor and the local gangs. The group were even mistaken for a gang themselves. On one occasion, mid-performance, Rhoje were told they had ten minutes to leave the area, or face execution. They decided, as one, to stand their ground. Mercifullly, the bullets never came. Just two years after Rhoje began their work they discovered, with great pride, that Mezquital, had been removed from the national list of red zones.
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In the midst of violence and the shadow of war, Caja Ludica offers young people a way to heal the wounds
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a fresh wave of workshops that they lead themselves. Just seven years after starting out, Caja Lúdica-supported youth groups are now active in 26 schools or communities, in many of the most deprived and dangerous neighbourhoods in the country. One such area, the notorious slum of Mezquital, was long classified among the country’s most violent ‘red zones’. That was before Caja Lúdica inspired young people here to set up their own arts group, Rhoje. With Caja Lúdica’s training and support, Rhoje began reclaiming Mezquital’s outdoor spaces, through festivals, street theatre and roadside poetry readings. It took real courage to risk the
Luis has been involved in Caja Lúdica since he was 11, when he was living on the streets, taking drugs and sniffing glue. He had no home, and used to wash in puddles and city streams. He would arrive at Caja Lúdica high and filthy. Now Luis is drug-free and an accomplished carnival performer. He earns his living by making balloon animals on the street, a skill he learned from Caja Lúdica.
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Urban poverty: taking on the guns Guatemala continued
Marlon, 22 Marlon joined a local gang while still a schoolboy, spending his evenings drinking and streetfighting. Caja Lúdica has changed his life. He’s now a poet and juggler, and has set up his own arts group to reach out to and entertain other young people. ‘Instead of beating people up and smashing glass you’re stiltwalking and making people laugh,’ he says. ‘Outside you’re still the same, but inside you’re totally different.
Sweet smell of success
Mariela, 24 Inspired by Caja Lúdica, Mariela and her friends set up an arts group in the gang-ridden neighbourhood of Ciudad Quetzal. But soon the group itself became a target. One by one, eight of Mariela’s friends were murdered. Eventually she had to flee her home, and the group was abandoned. But Mariela was determined to keep fighting for peace. She is now a Caja Lúdica youth leader, organising parades and workshops across the country.
Jamaica
Hannah Morley reports from Jamaica on how two organisations are tackling poverty and deprivation by taking on the problem of gangs and gun culture ‘HEARING OUR name, people wonder what the S stands for,’ says Angela Stultz, director of the S-Corner clinic and development centre in Kingston, Jamaica. ‘We tell them it stands for success.’ In fact, the ‘S’ comes from the centre’s home, on an S-bend in the road. The bright-blue building has become the focal point of the inner city community of Bennetland, home to 10,000 people and an area notorious for its poverty and gun violence. It’s the kind of area taxi drivers
don’t want to take you to. People won’t give you a job if you give an address here. Unemployment and teenage pregnancies are high, and levels of education are low. The roads are narrow with high corrugated iron fences, hiding the ‘yards’ where families live in board houses. Much of S-Corner’s work has been revolutionary. Its early projects tackling poor sanitation and access to running water not only improved health, they brought pride and employment to the community. It also broke new ground for organisations tackling poverty and deprivation in Jamaica. Before S-Corner
A cut above the gunmen Learning life skills is helping young men turn away from a life of violence SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD Occardo is quiet and shy. He moves gracefully with a considered air. Watching him trim a fellow student’s hair, you can see how seriously he takes his barbering. Seeing him now, it’s surprising to think of how he used to be – quick to turn violent and failing in school. But Occardo grew up in the volatile communities of
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Spanishtown, Jamaica, where violence can erupt at anytime. Here it is the men with guns, who call the tune. They are the ones who have enough to eat. Though it is largely poorly educated young men with few employment opportunities who end up getting involved in violent crime, they are often ignored by aid agencies, community
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was established many children had worms, diarrhoea and other avoidable water-borne health problems. Lots of families had no toilet facilities at all, and it was common to find human waste all around the community. ‘You could smell that there was the absence of proper sanitary amenities,’ says Angela. S-corner began by helping to build latrines and bring running water to around 100 families. The impact on people’s health was immediate. Local women were trained in masonry skills so that they could benefit from the employment generated by the building work involved. Thirteen
to go to school, parents who couldn’t go out to work. ‘Me remember many nights me a say me a can’t sleep, me afraid for sleep and not wake up the next morning.’ Annette’s daughter was shot dead by police in 2005, but instead of giving up hope, she has worked ceaselessly as a community leader with S-Corner to bring peace to Bennetlands. Peace talks have been held outside the community, making it easier to break down barriers and find ways of resolving problems before they escalate. ‘I went there to see the different community leaders that was warring together before, shaking hands, talking together and hugging up talking and laughing,’ says Annette. A measure of S-Corner’s success is its impact on all sections of the community. You can ask the young people about how they have set up their own businesses, the mothers about having healthy children, or the elderly about getting a hot meal every day. Most important of all, however, you can ask anyone how it feels to no longer hear the daily sound of gun shots. S-Corner has been a Christian Aid partner since 1995. In 2006-7 Christian Aid gave a grant of £25,568 to support all its work on health, education, income generation and conflict resolution.
Above left: Angela Stulz, director of the S-Corner clinic Below: learning barbering skills has given Occardo, 17, a new sense of self-respect
barbering licence and hopes to earn a living from it when he finishes school. ‘It’s a nice trade to learn. I love it. I like to trim a man, make him look like somebody. MAN shows us the right way to become someone in life, and not to turn into a gunman.’
Jamaica: Christian Aid/Hannah Morley
groups and the state. Children First, a Christian Aid partner, is determined to change this. By working exclusively with young men aged between 10 and 24, it hopes to show them that there are alternatives to violence. Occardo is one of 100 young men who come once a week to Children First’s Male Awareness Now project (MAN). They receive vocational training such as cutting hair or IT, and learn about conflict resolution, sexual health and gender issues. Through MAN Occardo has gained a provisional
years later the latrines and taps are still in working order. Successful lobbying of the national water board made this the first community in Jamaica without official land ownership papers to have water installed in people’s homes. ‘We challenged government policy and now they’re working in so-called squatter community settlements,’ says Angela Stulz. ‘That was because of S-Corner’s work. It was a milestone achievement.’ But none of this development work could have had a lasting impact without the lead role played by the group in defusing the kind of tensions that have ignited gang war in the community. At one stage there was an average of two killings a month; people stayed indoors for fear of being caught in the crossfire or crossing the invisible borders drawn up by the gangs. S-Corner found itself in a unique position to bring about peace because it is an organisation trusted by both the community and the gangs. It has achieved dramatic results through a combination of informal mediation and the formation of peace committees involving Jamaican reggae artists, gang members and community leaders. ‘The hardest moment was the war,’ recalls Annette, who lives in Bennetlands. ‘We had children crying, children in fear, afraid
Christian Aid started supporting the Children First Agency in 2006 when it set up the Male Awareness Now programme. In 2006-07 Christian Aid gave them a grant of £17,045.
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What do we mean by… conditionality?
You can have the money on one condition… THIS AUTUMN, Christian Aid will once again be calling upon its campaigning supporters to help persuade the World Bank to stop imposing free-trade conditions on cash-strapped borrower nations. This process is, prosaically, known as ‘conditionality’, and the struggle over it has been a long one. Many readers will remember the short-lived celebrations after last September’s trade justice march on the Treasury in London, when we were told that the UK government was withholding £50 million of taxpayers’ money from the World Bank. Short-lived because late last year the money was released. But the problems caused by inappropriate conditions being forced on poor countries have not ended. On the contrary, the World Bank continues to promote reforms such as privatisations – a problem highlighted by events in Nicaragua. Nicaragua is among the poor countries that have seen some of their debts written off by poorer nations. But debt relief is never provided without strings attached. In Nicaragua’s case one of the central conditions was to fully privatise the electricity sector – a process which had started in 1998 under previous loan conditions imposed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Privatisation was rushed through. Instead of a serious debate about what form it should take, the World Bank advised the country to ensure it made the
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sector ‘as attractive as possible to foreign investors’. As a result, the Nicaraguan government ended up selling off its assets on the cheap, granting a monopoly over electricity distribution to a Spanish multinational and signing a contract heavily weighted in favour of the Spanish company. Meanwhile, no attention was paid to how the regulator might ensure efficiency, discipline the companies or champion the interests of consumers. The results of this mismanagement are all too evident in Nicaragua. Since 2006 the country has been in the grip of a severe energy crisis. Blackouts are common, often with daily 12-hour power cuts. The generators blame the distributor for not paying them on time. The distributor says it can’t pay as it is making a loss. Even the World Bank concedes that the arrival of private companies has not brought any significant investment to Nicaragua. While the blame game continues, ordinary Nicaraguans suffer. The blackouts have a huge impact on homes, businesses and the day-to-day running of essential services such as hospitals. Douglas Borjorge ran a small photocopying business in a poor neighbourhood. He says: ‘There was a power cut in September last year followed by a high voltage surge. Three of my machines were burnt
out. I lost thousands of dollars of machinery and 11 months of earnings as I haven’t opened since. I had to lay off my young employees. The bank now calls eight times a day saying they want their money. ‘I had taken out a loan for $6,500 to start the business. I always used to pay it on time but now I just can’t afford it. The debt is growing - I am scared to even find out how much I owe. As a result of the stress I suffered a small stroke. I don’t know what my family is going to do.’ Francisco Carvajal, a bakery owner employing 30 people in one of Managua’s poorest neighbourhoods, says losses mounted as power cuts interrupted production. So far Francisco has avoided laying off his workers but fears he may not be able to hold out much longer. Ironically, as services worsen prices rise. Governmentsanctioned increases have been accompanied by arbitrary charging practices, resulting in customers being over-billed or paying for services – such as street lighting – which are not being provided. This has taken a huge toll on poor customers who are confronted with spiralling bills which they often feel unable to contest. The National Consumer Defence Network – a small non-profit organisation operating in Managua, and a member of the Global Action Committee supported by Christian Aid – says that 76 per
Christian Aid/Matthew Gonzalez-Noda
Advocacy officer Claire McGuigan explains how privatisation demands imposed on Nicaragua in return for World Bank money have had a devastating effect on the country’s poor
Above: Campaigning against free-trade conditions being imposed by the World Bank
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learning from experience. A package of privatisations is now on the table for Afghanistan. The Afghan Ministry of Finance recently estimated that 14,550 employees – about half of the total – will be laid off in the imminent privatisation of state-owned enterprises. Given the level of instability in the country, this seems a dangerous moment to undertake controversial, potentially damaging reforms. What is the likelihood that the privatisations will be well designed and well regulated by the Afghan state? Ahead of the autumn meetings of the World Bank and IMF, Christian Aid is calling on the
UK government to ensure the practice of conditionality is finally brought to an end. For details of how you can get involved, go to www.christianaid.org.uk/stop poverty or phone 020 7523 2225.
Below: Baker Francisco Carvajal’s business has been badly affected by power cuts
Christian Aid/Claire McGuigan
cent of its cases are related to over-billing for electricity. While customers – particularly the poor – suffer, the companies point to their losses and receive hefty government subsidies. Christian Aid believes that the electricity sector simply cannot be run on a commercial basis in Nicaragua because the country’s people cannot afford to cover the costs of making it a profit-making enterprise. Even a cursory investigation by the World Bank should have revealed this before privatisation. The Nicaragua experience shows the damage that ill-advised privatisations can cause. The World Bank, however, is not
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Reflection
Christian Aid produces a wide range of resources for prayer and reflection. Call 020 7523 2225 or visit www.christianaid.org.uk
A living gospel of justice The Rev Joel Edwards, director general of the Evangelical Alliance, travelled to Peru with Christian Aid to learn more about our work. Here Joel reflects on his ‘eye-opening’ visit
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Christian Aid/Matthew Reed
IT SEEMED LIKE the perfect adventure: an exploration of the beautiful Peruvian Andes to see the love of the gospel being put into action. I am passionate about Christians making the gospel links between knowing they are loved by God and putting that love into action by loving others. Through my chairmanship of the Micah Challenge – an international alliance of churches campaigning in support of the Millennium Development Goals to cut poverty – I am committed to helping evangelical and Pentecostal Christians engage in justice issues. I was looking forward to seeing how Christian Aid is doing this kind of work. But I wasn’t prepared for the torture of 30 kilometres of dirt track which took me to Chuschi, a remote community of 1,500 people where poverty and beauty live in constant contradiction. Yet how else would I have understood the reality of so many people’s struggles? As I watched a group of men and women digging dirt to repair the uneven road, one young man explained that this was their small but crucial contribution to maintaining transport links and combating the terrible soil erosion that threatens their communities. Frankly, they were embarrassed to be doing this while we were there. But if you are fighting to stay alive at 3,800 metres, then tasks such as this are a vital part of the struggle. Without that uncomfortable trip, how else would I have understood the incredible efforts of Christian Aid’s partners, who often travel nine hours over dirt tracks to nudge poor people into a quality of life that’s only a little bit better? Poverty is one tale with many
texts, a ‘fishbone structure’ of dehumanisation, sustained by a denial of economic and social human rights, inequality, corruption and climate change. On my brief eye-opening visit to Peru I saw it as clearly as the Andean mountain range: the economic exploitation of poor asparagus workers; a farmer who couldn’t feed his family because the water he needed was extracted to produce commercial crops for export; people living with TB and HIV who salvage a living by breeding guinea-pigs, and the migrants who build their straw houses on the desert sands. I would love to meet the people in power – the asparagus exporters and politicians whose phobia about justice was condemned by everyone I met. I have many questions and challenges for church leaders as well. Sadly we cannot all go and visit the people and programmes that
Christian Aid supports. But my week was valuable. I’d gone to find out what a living gospel of justice looks like. As I watched poor people dig dirt on the mountainside it seemed to me that every stroke of the pickaxe was a desperate act of solidarity with those of us who can do so much more with much less effort. I saw clearly how much of this ministry is about human rights; not least the right to grow in the fullness of who we are all created to be. I rejoice in all that Christian Aid is doing to make this happen.
Above: Repairs to a mountain road help maintain a vital lifeline for a remote Peruvian community
Joel visited two partner organisations in Peru: ■ The Spanish Institute of Foreign Missions runs
three Catholic parishes in the coastal and desert town of Ica, supporting primary healthcare centres, HIV and TB prevention and treatment, and helping small farmers struggling to survive. ■ The Centre for Agricultural Development runs projects tackling rural poverty in the remote and mountainous Ayacucho region in the Andes.
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Events ■ 2 September Stoke Festival Stoke-on-Trent Come and support the Christian Aid Climate Changed campaign and meet some of the members of the unit team. Contact Abi Pattison by email, APattison@christian-aid.org
Cut the Carbon March
■ 2 September 5-a-side football tournament 7pm Goals Soccer Centre, Beckenham We’d love to have a team from your church take part in our tournament. Contact London unit for full details on london@christian-aid.org. ■ 3-4 September Walk the Line 1:30pm Aberdeen Sponsored walk along the Old Deeside Railway Line, an annual fundraising event organised by Aberdeen Christian Aid Committee. Contact Jean Rutherford on 01224 480654 ■ 15 September Take a Day Out with Christian Aid 10am-4pm The Nightingale Centre Great Hucklow, Derbyshire Spend the day reflecting on stories from around the world. The event is costing Christian Aid £15 per person, so donations are welcome to help cover this cost. Contact Mark Vyner on 01530 417522 ■ 21 September Tea Time 6-10pm Venue: all over the world Hold your own fund-raising event and ask your friends to give you a donation to Christian Aid in return for a cup of tea or piece of cake. Contact www.christianaid.org/teatime ■ 22 September Autumn coffee morning for Christian Aid 10:30am-12noon St Andrew’s Church Hall, Longton, Preston To be opened by the Bishop of Blackburn. Cakes, plants, Christmas cards, gifts, fairtrade stall. Contact Cath Greenlees on 01772 613500 ■ 1 October Climate Change Debate 6-10pm Staffordshire University’s Film Theatre. Panellists include Joan Walley, MP for Stoke North, and representatives from Christian Aid. Contact Charlotte Marshall on 0121 200 2283
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■ 13 October Indoor Market 10-11:30am St Paul’s Church, Wilmslow Road Withington Indoor market, cafe and cake stall arranged by the churches of Fallowfield and Withington. Contact Helen MacDonald on 0161 432 3377. ■ 13 October Harvest of Hope 7pm, St Matthew’s Church Sherford Road, Elburton Powerful songs, moving images and
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(afternoon rally in Cooper’s Field)
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Pacemaker Press
Christian Aid’s protest march, calling for action on climate change, continues to wind its way around the UK. If you haven’t caught up with them already, here’s where the marchers will be during September, ending on 2 October with the final rally at the Stock Exchange in London and a service at St Paul’s Cathedral. For more details, visit www.christianaid.org. uk/climate or contact your local Christian Aid office. Tickets for the service, which are free, will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis after the closing date of 6 September. To apply, phone 020 7523 2258.
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real-life stories, inspired by recent encounters visiting Christian Aid partners in Senegal. Contact Penny Haynes on 01202 840764
rising temperatures. Cost £3. To book, email your name, your church, and phone number to: london@christian-aid.org or tel: 020 7654 5332.
■ 2 November Faithworks Conference 2007 8-9am City Temple, Holborn, London A breakfast to hear Europe’s leading futurist, Dr Patrick Dixon, together with Christian Aid staff, explain what we can do to help people in poor countries, who are paying the price of a problem they did little to create –
■ 9 November Sing for your Supper Holy Cross Church Timperley An evening of entertainment and supper. Collection in support of Christian Aid. Free entry but booking essential. Contact Doris Robinson on 0161 973 2882. Christian Aid News
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Do theing right th
Climate SOS on the march If you go down to Christian Aid’s Cut the Carbon march, you may see our new exhibition showing the kind of work being done to help people cope with the impact of climate change. PR manager Kate Wills reports WHEN IT COMES to climate change, the harsh reality for the many thousands of people Christian Aid works with is that they need to adapt to survive. Many have started to do this, supported by our partner organisations around the world. Christian Aid’s Climate SOS exhibition, which is accompanying many sections of the Cut the Carbon march, will give people across the UK
the chance to walk into three ‘villages’ in Africa, Asia and Latin America and see for themselves some of the amazing and innovative ways in which communities are starting to adapt to the changing climate. The projects are often simple ones, such as disaster mapping. Communities in Asia and Latin America, in particular, are taught to map out the
NOW IS THE TIME… …TO MAKE SURE you’re booked in for Christian Aid’s supporters’ weekend from 19 to 21 October at the Hayes conference centre, near Swanwick, Derbyshire. We’re offering a host of sessions in which you can learn about the global issues on which Christian Aid and its partners are taking a stand – especially climate change, trade justice and HIV. Find out how and why Christian Aid works with partners – and where – and what we do in response to emergencies. Hear how we’ve helped half a million people return to normal life after the 2004 tsunami; and find out how we’re connecting with other faiths to help people in need. Through a range of workshops, you can brush up your lobbying skills with insider info from Loughborough MP Andy Reed; find out how to interact with the media from an Oxford
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hazard points in their areas, and plan evacuation routes that could save many lives in the event of a disaster. The fuel-efficient stove that features in Africa crucially cuts down on the amount of wood – and time – needed for cooking. Meanwhile, building homes on stilts in Indonesia is lifting people and their belongings out of flood risk. Sadly there is not one village in the three continents
that has all these measures in place, but Christian Aid’s disaster risk reduction programme is running workshops around the world aimed at helping communities share their experiences and knowledge. The last ‘village’ you can visit is one much closer to home. It’s a typical house in the UK or Ireland that shows how you, your family, friends and community can
PR firm; get tips on teaming up with other supporters to plan a sponsored walk; or figure out how to recruit more Christian Aid Week collectors and increase collections! Now is the Time is also about having fun – with art, music and sporting activities for all the family. Plus, entertainment: African reggae from ex-child soldier Ben Okfar, comedy with Simon Lilley, folk, jazz and even a fun quiz. There’s worship, too, ranging from contemplative Taize to a family service. This inspiring and challenging weekend is open to all ages and all levels of involvement with Christian Aid. Tickets for the weekend (including two nights’ accommodation and all meals from Friday evening until Sunday lunchtime) range from £90 for a single adult to £160 for a family. For full details and to book your place, phone 020 7523 2248, email active@christian-aid.org, or write to Christian Aid, PO Box 100, London SE1 7RT.
Christian Aid News
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THE FIVE WINNERS of the Freeloader Solar Charger competition in our summer issue are: Martin Platt, from East Finchley, London; John Yates, Dunnington, York; A Hibbett, London; Mrs J Roberts, Llanllechild, Bangor; Philippa Shelton, Talybont-on-Usk, Powys
cut the carbon. It’s hoped that having seen what some of the poorest people around the world are doing, visitors will rise to the challenge of doing their bit to combat climate change. The eco villages exhibition will also be visiting some of the party conferences in the autumn and will then move up to Scotland over Christmas. We hope thousands of people will be inspired to sign up to Christian Aid’s Climate Changed campaign and perhaps also make a donation towards our work. The exhibition is extremely easy to host, fits on the backseat or in the boot of a car and is accompanied by a Guide to Eco Living leaflet. If you are interested in hosting it after January 2008 please contact your local area office.
TALK IS CHEAPER GOOD CALL is a new mobile and landline service that raises money for Christian Aid. Calls made between Good Call landlines are free, as are calls between mobiles. Joining Good Call gives you 13 per cent off line rental. An unlimited local and national calls package costs just £7.95 a month, and six per cent of the value of your bill goes to Christian Aid. Call 0845 233 0000 or visit www.christianaid.org.uk/ goodcall
Go online and add your voice Christian Aid’s new website is showing supporters exciting new ways to get involved in our work. Head of Editorial Sarah Stewart explains how it all comes together AT LAST OUR new website is finally here. It was launched in July, and we’re delighted with it. We hope you are, too. With this new website, we have the foundation for a really creative, effective voice for Christian Aid, for our partners, and for you – our supporters. It gives you all sorts of opportunities that you never had before. You can sign up for emails, manage your account and ‘have your say’ on topics. You can view video in a new way that makes it much more engaging. Most of all, you can do something. Cake not spinach We don’t want a visit to our website to be like eating your greens – you know it’s good for you, but it’s not really very exciting. We’re aiming for a style of writing and approach that makes it all much more engaging, even fun. We want to be a tantalising piece of cake – still containing wholesome ingredients, of course – not a plate of spinach. We want our articles, videos and slide shows to be so powerful that you’ll want to make a donation, or send an email to your MP, or join an online discussion. Benefits A new and better website offers us huge benefits. We save money – and paper – by publishing online. We give a direct voice to our partners, as you can see in our new stories direct from Zimbabwe, in which partners tell us the unfolding story of a country on the brink of collapse. We can report back to you on how your donations have helped people in real, measurable ways. We believe that we’ll raise more money, and
therefore be more effective on the ground, by speaking more clearly. And we’ll have more impact with governments and companies in our campaigns. Have a look at the climate march blog from our intrepid marchers! So what’s new? In a word – everything. Check out our new national websites for Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Have a look at the stories: ■ Dictators’ wives – the inside scoop ■ The powerful images from photographer Paul Lowe of the separation barrier in the West Bank ■ Why goats aren’t always enough to solve the problems of development ■ A personal view from Darfur by one of our emergency staff. This is just the beginning. You can also log on to see our interactive maps, a quiz on HIV and our blogs. You’ll be able to join events, sign up to run the London Marathon for Christian Aid, and see who’s the volunteer of the month. Like it? Let us know what you think. You can always contact us at info@christian-aid.org We look forward to hearing from you.
THAT’S A WRAP THANKS TO READER the Rev Chris Stafford, for pointing out that polywrap, such as that surrounding your copy of Christian Aid News can actually be recycled. You can send it to: Polyprint Mailing Films Ltd, Unit 21a Mackintosh Road, Rackheath Estate, Rackheath, Norwich NR13 6LJ Tel. 01603 721807. Polyprint can recycle high-density (HDPE) or low-density polythene (LDPE). You can recognise these, because they can be stretched. If the material snaps it is probably cellophane or PVC which cannot be recycled by this company. Christian Aid News
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Inpuatil your m
Climate Changed: your views No prizes for guessing what’s dominating our mailbag this issue: Christian Aid’s Climate Changed campaign, with a number of readers responding to the letters in our summer edition, and the reply by Head of Campaigns Paul Brannen. Here’s another selection of your views, along with one or two other issues that have got you writing.
Face the facts Please keep going with your climate change campaign. As an environmentalist, I am familiar with people’s reluctance to face the facts, so clearly demonstrated by the letters page in Issue 36 of Christian Aid News. I am encouraged that in his reply, Paul Brannen referred to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), as it shows that you are aware of the vast scientific consensus on the causes and effects of global warming. I am doubly pleased to see an aid organisation based on Christian values throwing its weight behind environmental organisations, national and local government and others doing their best to mobilise public opinion and behaviour towards lower carbon lifestyles. Your stance has convinced me (again) that supporting Christian Aid is the right thing to do. Keep going, keep telling the truth, keep striving for environmental justice along with social and economic justice. Miles Sibley via email
Bearing witness I was saddened to see the letters arguing against Christian Aid’s campaign on climate change. I feel we are in a unique position to convey the testimony and suffering as a result of environmental problems. To give a voice to the voiceless and hear what they say is a great Christian
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mission of bearing witness. I was in Gambia in February and the locals were telling me of the massive wave of migration of peoples who had been forced to the Gambia by the loss of land to support them due to a lack of rainfall and fertility. This can only get worse. As pressures increase so does conflict and all the horrors this entails. As Christians we must draw on our traditions to help, campaign and effect real changes for the better. Craig Howat via email
Our special role The report by the IPCC was the outcome of the work of thousands of scientists and can be seen at www.ipcc.ch, for anyone wishing to check the data and theories for themselves. The questions are what should people do about it and how should Christian Aid deal with this threat. While I wouldn’t want Christian Aid to focus solely on climate change per se, I think it vital that we link with other organisations on this issue. Our special role is to continue to highlight how climate change affects poorer communities and what we can do about this. We should also show how other global inequalities in trade, access to resources, poverty and human rights are linked to climate change. They cannot be dealt with piecemeal. Eddy Richards Manchester
Recognition We are relieved that Christian Aid has finally recognised that the harm being done to the environment would make trade justice and Make Poverty History increasingly unlikely to be achieved. The Stern review has shown the soaring economic costs if we continue with ‘business as usual’. Treating nature as just an exploitable resource in pursuit of limitless economic growth is a Faustian bargain. Surely Christians cannot approve of this – in effect, choosing Mammon’s ways rather than respect and care of God’s creation. Dr M and Mrs M Watson Silverdale, Lancs
People in denial I find it incredible that there are still so many folk out there doubting that climate change exists. Since 1990 the IPCC has been scrutinising all scientific evidence that has been produced, checking it and publishing a detailed report on the sound evidence. Previous reports have erred on the side of caution. Their latest report, in May of this year, was absolutely conclusive – climate change exists, global warming exists, and it is 99 per cent certain that it is caused by human activity. They were equally conclusive that a major shift in attitude and lifestyle in the rich countries of the world is essential if there is to be any future for the human race. Keep up the good work,
Christian Aid. And to all those in denial, be ostriches if you like but let those of us who care get on with what needs to be done. Pete Redwood Scarborough
Eco-theology Correspondent Matthew Lee (Input, issue 36) says that as climate change has such a high profile in the media, Christian Aid should not be concerned about making the effects known. I would like to point out that several Christian leaders have said that as Christians we need to recover an eco-theology which sees value in God’s creation. If this is the message we can put across, and the attitude we can encourage, Christianity will be seen to be very relevant in society. The Church of England launched its own Shrinking the Footprint campaign in 2005. All parish churches, diocesan offices, bishop’s houses and cathedrals were invited to carry out an energy audit during 2005 to establish a baseline against which to measure any future reduction. Churches will be encouraged to shrink their own carbon footprint by the end of 2008. So other Christian organisations are also taking action on climate change. Rev Chris Stafford Warrington
It’s about justice Global warming is a development issue. It is about making poverty history because if left unchecked the opposite will happen. It is also about justice in trade. Where’s the justice if our neighbour’s fields are flooded or stricken by drought? It’s therefore about more than whose fault it is and who should cut back. We should perhaps lead by example but at the same time encourage developing
Christian Aid News
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Inspired? Enraged? Send your views to the editor. Christian Aid News, PO Box 100, London SE1 7RT or email canews@christian-aid.org Enquiries or requests for information should be sent to Supporter Relations at the address on page 3 countries not to make the same mistakes we did. Alyson Hogarth Middlesbrough
It’s about numbers Concern about greenhouse gases is diverting attention from the potentially much more serious problem of population increase. The 1984-85 famine in Ethiopia is estimated to have killed more than one million people, out of a population of 42 million. The population in 2015 has been variously estimated to reach between 93 million and 115 million. With the same agricultural land area, but even further degraded, and the same water supplies, a repeat drought of that magnitude would kill tens of millions of people. In Bangladesh there have been repeated flood disasters. The amount of habitable land has decreased, forcing the settlement of hazard-prone marginal lands. The country’s population is now over 110 million and is expected to double by 2030, a huge increase in the number of people at risk, whatever we do about man’s influence on the climate. Dr Peter Waister Invergowrie, Dundee
Re-evaluating My wife and I have followed with interest the exchange of views (Input, Issue 36), over Christian Aid’s Climate Changed campaign. We both accept that climate change is an issue of major importance and that its effects will be felt heavily by poor communities. Yet we struggle to see how Christian Aid is best-placed to fight against it. It is not your core business. Our feeling is that you should not be spending significant amounts of money in organising another campaign in this area. As a result, our view is
that our donations, which are given for poverty relief, might be better placed with other organisations, which are not diverting a proportion of the money into non-core activity. We (and I guess, many like us) are going through this process of re-evaluation, as a direct result of the campaign Colin and Val Weedon Wokingham, Berks
Look at the data Your response to the intelligent letters (Input, Issue 36) from supporters (whose concerns I share) shows that, far from being objective in your approach to the subject, you have bought wholeheartedly into the farfrom-proven theory that mankind is responsible for global warming. There is a vast amount of information out there which gives a very different interpretation of the data if you are willing to take the time to look. Ruth Kirkland, via email
Biased view I appreciate and support the work of Christian Aid, and share your distress at the situation in Israel. I was nevertheless shocked to read the biased view expressed in the Divided they Stand article in your summer issue. The author wrote: ‘This year marks the 40th year that the Palestinians have endured occupation by Israel’, clearly implying that Israel is the oppressor! The opposite is true. Israel has to suffer and fight year after year to retain its own country, constantly under attack by those who intend to wipe it off the map. As a Christian organisation, you should be more aware of the Biblical prophecies and the spiritual battle that is being waged here. Moreover,
Some people Some people will always ignore the preponderance of science, and even the evidence of their own senses, clinging like death to the one voice that tells them what they want to hear. Patrick Hanley Warrington
The first question When it comes to the science of climate change and its likely impact on the poorest people on the planet, your readers are right to ask some important questions. But surely the first of these should be: do I believe a) the overwhelming weight of serious scientific opinion across the world, or b) a discredited Channel 4 documentary? Patrick Little, Reading.
Talking of which… Paul Brannen dismisses the argument of my film The Great Global Warming
the history of Israel over the past 60 or so years provides ample reason why we should be especially concerned for that nation. Britain has failed to support Israel many times, and our media is often biased against it – but not Christian Aid, surely! Please may we show more concern for the oppressed and suffering citizens of Israel. Philip Moore via email Editor’s note: this was one of several letters received expressing similar views
Small is good, too Another Christian Aid Week gone, another £15 million raised for vital work around the world. So often, it is the eye-catching activities that grab the headlines. But here
Swindle by quoting Sir John Houghton of the IPCC. But we found it easy to find many scientists from within the IPCC who disagree strongly with Sir John. Who to believe? Mr Brannen repeats the mantra that there is a scientific consensus around global warming. But as I discovered, the claim is bogus. I suspect it is designed to forestall any critical scrutiny of the theory. There is no alternative but for readers to get their hands dirty and look at the evidence. The enormous influence of global warming as an idea comes not from science, but from ideology. It fits a fashionable world-view which disparages industrial progress and regards humans as a problem, rather than a blessing. It’s a very un-Christian world-view and I find it deeply depressing that Christian Aid seems to have embraced it. Martin Durkin via email
in South Cumbria, with few residents living in small communities far-spaced from one another, we have to rely on the basics and find them to still be very effective. In Coniston, with a population under a thousand, 18 people gave their time to go round the streets and far-spread dwellings knocking on doors. The result? We passed the £1,000 mark for the first time. Small communities, working hard and often unnoticed are just as important as the big, spectacular occasions in delivering the goods. Dare Holland Coniston Editor’s reply: This year’s Christian Aid Week total is forecast to reach £14.7m – an increase of nearly three per cent on last year.
Christian Aid News
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Final Word
Look who’s talking Doctor Who actress and keen Christian Aid supporter Adjoa Andoh delivers her lines to Christian Aid News What would you save if your house were on fire? My three children, I expect.
What’s your favourite food? Sherry trifle.
What makes you cry? Anything from Mary Poppins upwards.
Which living person inspires you most? I saw a documentary about an eight year-old AIDS orphan bringing up her two younger siblings, aged seven and five, in South Africa. That takes some beating.
Where is the most remarkable place you have ever visited? Anywhere with Africa’s red earth. Which book or song do you most wish you’d written? Song – Lucky by Radiohead. Book – 1984 by George Orwell.
If you ruled the world, what is the first law you’d introduce? Do unto others as you would have done unto yourself.
What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done – and would you do it again? The scariest thing I have ever done was when I appeared in His Dark Materials and I had to stand on a giant plinth to deliver a speech. I was terrified I was going to fluff my speech. My legs were shaking so bad that, towards the end of the seven-month run they built a stool behind me that I could lean on.
What’s made you laugh today? My ten year-old child was trying to explain to me the whole plot of the film Rat Race. It took her nearly an hour. I can now comfortably say I will never ever see it. Ever.
What talent do you have, or think you have, which has so far been hidden from the general public? I’m really good at packing things. I can put big things into the right spaces….does that count?
Christian Aid/C J Clarke
Who would you choose to be shipwrecked with? Baden-Powell.
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Who would play you in a film of your life? Oprah!
Adjoa Andoh is constantly working on stage and in film and TV. Having been a regular character in both EastEnders and Casualty, she recently appeared in Doctor Who as the mother of the time lord’s latest sidekick, Martha Jones. She has recently been in several hugely successful plays, from the National Theatre’s adaptation of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials to Blood Wedding at the Almeida with Gael Garcia Bernal and David Hare’s play about the Iraq war, Stuff Happens, in which she played Condoleeza Rice. She is a keen supporter of Christian Aid’s work and spokeå at two trade justice events including the late-night vigil at Westminster Abbey.
DIVINE SUCCESS FOR FARMERS Fair trade chocolate brand pays dividend GHANAIAN COCOA FARMERS – and Christian Aid – celebrated World Fair Trade Day in May with the announcement of the first Divine Chocolate dividend. The largest dividend, £47,352, went to Kuapa Kokoo – Divine Chocolate Ltd’s largest shareholder. Kuapa Kokoo is the Ghanaian farmers’ cooperative from which the company buys all its cocoa. Christian Aid received a dividend of £10,000. For everyone involved in Divine’s mission to create a dynamic business in the UK which brings direct benefits to cocoa farmers in West Africa, this is a significant moment. It is the latest step in the Divine story that began in 1993 with the liberalisation of the Ghanaian economy and the setting up of the Kuapa Kokoo cooperative. With the help of international trade organisation Twin Trading, and Body Shop, plus the support of Comic Relief and Christian Aid, Divine Chocolate Ltd was launched in the UK in 1998. Managing director Sophi Tranchell says: ‘For many start-up companies, announcing the first dividend is a welcome stage of the company’s growth. For Divine Chocolate it is a momentous occasion as it proves that, with the support of UK chocolate lovers, we have created a successful and profitable business which directly benefits cocoa farmers in West Africa.’
Christian Aid News
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Make Ecotricity your energy supplier. Help make the world better. By switching to Ecotricity you’re helping to fight climate change. You get a supplier that continually invests in building new renewable energy. Plus, for every household that switches, Christian Aid receives £15 that goes towards things such as skills training, health and agricultural projects in developing countries. Basically, things that can help people adapt to the challenges of climate change. And, if your business, school or church switches, we could receive up to £100. Now, why would you not switch? Visit www.ecotricity.co.uk/christianaid or call 0800 0326 100.
Water is water. One bottled brand is as good for you as the next, isn’t it? Wrong. There is one brand that makes for a much healthier world: AquAid. The money it raises goes towards Christian Aid’s work in improving the lives of people in the developing world. Just 15 AquAid water coolers used for a year would raise £235: enough to pay for a well in Bangladesh. A well that will provide safe water and could save hundreds of lives for years to come. Please, use whatever influence you have to put AquAid in your office, school, church, or home. It makes no difference to you which brand you drink. But we know which brand the poor of Bangladesh are rooting for. To find out more, please call AquAid on 01223 508 109
CLIENT JOB NUMBER STUDIO NUMBER DATE DESCRIPTION SIZE PAGE PROOF NUMBER
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The difference? Hundreds of Bangladeshi lives.
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CAxxxx 002590 3 August 2007
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SPELL CHECK
It’s nearly Tea Time.
There’s still time to organise a Tea Time event for Christian Aid. Simply invite your friends or colleagues for a cup of tea on 21 September and you’ll be helping some of the world’s poorest communities work their way out of poverty.
Register for your FREE event pack by calling 0870 076 7766 or visiting www.christianaid.org.uk/teatime. Tea Time 4pm Friday 21 September 2007