UK global development minister meets with Scottish faith groups

-12/06/06

Hilary Benn,


UK global development minister meets with Scottish faith groups

-12/06/06

Hilary Benn, the UK Secretary of State for International Development, is today (12 June 2006) meeting with Scottish Catholics in Glasgow to debate development issues and to discuss common concerns.

Afterwards the minister will meet with Scottish community representatives from other Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Jewish and Buddhist organisations. The discussions are part of a series the Secretary of State is holding with faith groups around the country.

The Department for International Development is also involved in on-going dialogue with secular development groups like Oxfam, whose criticisms of British aid policy have galvanised the government over the past few days.

Mr Benn asked leading aid agency the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund to organise the meeting in recognition of the importance of faith in inspiring people to become involved in politics and campaigning, says SCIAF.

Some 50 members of the Catholic community from across the central belt of Scotland have been invited to discuss important development issues including aid, debt; climate change, Fair Trade, and the role of Catholic Social Teaching and church-based organisations in development.

Members of SCIAF staff will lead small group discussions with Mr Benn. Some will consider the best methods of delivering aid and what strings if any should be attached to debt relief. Others will investigate how to combat the problem of climate change which is estimated to cause the deaths of 150,000 people each year.

The growing importance of Fair Trade and the issues facing faith-based groups working in development will also be discussed.

Mr Benn welcomed the role faith groups play in supporting the developing world: ìAs I visit communities around the world, I am always struck by the extent to which faith inspires people to help others. Faith groups are often the institutions most trusted by poor people and the ones to whom they turn in times of need.î

He continued: ìFaith groups are close to poor communities and above all give them a voice. By working together we can look forward to changing the world for the better.î

Paul Chitnis, the chief executive of SCIAF, commented: ìFaith-based groups overseas are some of the largest and most important providers of healthcare and education for the poorest people in the world.î

ìSCIAF and other faith-based organisations played a key role in the Make Poverty History campaign, mobilising thousands to attend rallies across the UK,î he declared.

Concluded Chitnis: ìWe are motivated by a strong commitment to eradicating poverty and bringing about an end to injustice and we welcome the opportunity to share our concerns with Hilary Benn.î

SCIAF is the official overseas development fund of the Scottish Catholic Bishops’ Conference.

[Also on Ekklesia: Grant trade justice, aid and church groups tell Peter Mandelson; Soccer fans and foes asked to Give Injustice the Red Card; Massive church response to one of the world’s worst disasters; Listen to the South Christians urged; Fair trade clothes for him and her; Fairtrade football – fair trade football gift ideas; Fairtrade chocolate gifts; Fairtrade baby clothes; Fairtrade wine; Become a fairtrade activist! – ethical lifestyle ideas from Ekklesia; Cafe Direct fairtrade coffee; Fair trade goods from Tearcraft reach landmark]


UK global development minister meets with Scottish faith groups

-12/06/06

Hilary Benn, the UK Secretary of State for International Development, is today (12 June 2006) meeting with Scottish Catholics in Glasgow to debate development issues and to discuss common concerns.

Afterwards the minister will meet with Scottish community representatives from other Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Jewish and Buddhist organisations. The discussions are part of a series the Secretary of State is holding with faith groups around the country.

The Department for International Development is also involved in on-going dialogue with secular development groups like Oxfam, whose criticisms of British aid policy have galvanised the government over the past few days.

Mr Benn asked leading aid agency the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund to organise the meeting in recognition of the importance of faith in inspiring people to become involved in politics and campaigning, says SCIAF.

Some 50 members of the Catholic community from across the central belt of Scotland have been invited to discuss important development issues including aid, debt; climate change, Fair Trade, and the role of Catholic Social Teaching and church-based organisations in development.

Members of SCIAF staff will lead small group discussions with Mr Benn. Some will consider the best methods of delivering aid and what strings if any should be attached to debt relief. Others will investigate how to combat the problem of climate change which is estimated to cause the deaths of 150,000 people each year.

The growing importance of Fair Trade and the issues facing faith-based groups working in development will also be discussed.

Mr Benn welcomed the role faith groups play in supporting the developing world: ìAs I visit communities around the world, I am always struck by the extent to which faith inspires people to help others. Faith groups are often the institutions most trusted by poor people and the ones to whom they turn in times of need.î

He continued: ìFaith groups are close to poor communities and above all give them a voice. By working together we can look forward to changing the world for the better.î

Paul Chitnis, the chief executive of SCIAF, commented: ìFaith-based groups overseas are some of the largest and most important providers of healthcare and education for the poorest people in the world.î

ìSCIAF and other faith-based organisations played a key role in the Make Poverty History campaign, mobilising thousands to attend rallies across the UK,î he declared.

Concluded Chitnis: ìWe are motivated by a strong commitment to eradicating poverty and bringing about an end to injustice and we welcome the opportunity to share our concerns with Hilary Benn.î

SCIAF is the official overseas development fund of the Scottish Catholic Bishops’ Conference.

[Also on Ekklesia: Grant trade justice, aid and church groups tell Peter Mandelson; Soccer fans and foes asked to Give Injustice the Red Card; Massive church response to one of the world’s worst disasters; Listen to the South Christians urged; Fair trade clothes for him and her; Fairtrade football – fair trade football gift ideas; Fairtrade chocolate gifts; Fairtrade baby clothes; Fairtrade wine; Become a fairtrade activist! – ethical lifestyle ideas from Ekklesia; Cafe Direct fairtrade coffee; Fair trade goods from Tearcraft reach landmark]