Justice - can we really change the world?

Justice – can we really change the world?

A couple of months ago my answer would have been a definite ‘yes’, encouraging as many people as possible to ‘just do it’.  But I have a confession; in all honestly inside the answer was slightly more tentative and sceptical.  Can we really affect change on a global scale?  Aren’t things just getting worse not better?  Is there really any point in trying?

I recently left schoolswork for an internship with an organisation called Micah Challenge which is a coalition of Christian organisations and churches in Britain, united in their concern to fight global poverty.  On one of my first days I found myself surrounded by hundreds of purpley clad bishops listening to Gordon Brown speak passionately on ending poverty and praising the church around the world in using its voice against injustice.  In that moment I learned something, that for the first time in history we’re living in a time where change is possible.  We just need to grasp the opportunity. 

Did you know that in 2000 we made a commitment to the poor? All the world’s countries and leading development institutions united to end poverty and signed up to the Millennium Development Goals – 8 measurable goals to halve poverty by 2015, ranging from halving extreme poverty to halting the spread of HIV/Aids and providing universal education.  Those same leaders are making decisions right now which determine whether these goals will be met and we need to hold them to account.  On October 19 (or anytime this autumn) stand together with thousands of churches/youth groups worldwide in prayer that the firm commitments we’ve made won’t become broken promises.  We will provide resources and you can also be a part of the world wide ‘Stand Up’ campaign, which last year saw a record 43.7 million people standing up against poverty.  Be part of Micah Sunday (or anyday).