Push on poverty

By Kelly Yates
A BERWICK woman met with federal politicians during a recent visit to Parliament House to raise awareness about global poverty and injustice.
Fiona Grech met with a number of MPs in Canberra from Saturday 12 September to Tuesday 15 September as part of Voices for Justice, a gathering of supporters of the Micah Challenge campaign.
This is a global movement of aid and development agencies, churches, school groups and individuals who want to deepen their engagement with poor communities and influence world leaders.
This month’s event attracted 270 participants, aged from 13 to 71, all wanting to see the Australian Government act on issues of extreme poverty.
Ms Grech described the event as exciting. “The purpose of the trip was to put pressure on the Government and speak out about poverty and injustice,” she said. Ms Grech said she joined the movement, as she was passionate about the issues.
She said in times of economic uncertainty, the community needed to remember that it was the poorest of the poor who would be worst affected.
“The World Bank now estimates that more than 300,000 more children will die each year if the Global Financial Crisis continues,” she said.
Ms Grech helped deliver 6000 letters to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd while in Canberra and spent more than two days having private meetings with 129 federal politicians.
“I was so nervous, but my group were extremely supportive. We gelled quickly. The MPs were very responsive,” she said.
“You really experience the power of being an active constituent and know that you can be a part of making a difference.” For details check out the www.michachallenge.org.au website.