Monday, September 21, 2009

Not many Australians have the chance to walk the Nation’s corridors of power, but Sandy Chockman, Vikki Howorth and Jim Goddard from Manly-Manado met with MPs in Parliament House Canberra last week to share their concerns about global poverty.

They were in Canberra as part of ‘Voices for Justice’, a gathering of supporters of the Micah Challenge campaign.  The event brought together hundreds of campaigners of all ages, from around Australia, who want to see the Australian Government act on issues of extreme poverty, in particular to fulfil its commitment to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The group with other member of the Warringah electorate met with Federal Member for Warringah, The Hon Tony Abbott MP, who expressed interest in the issues: "As Australians we are often thought of as the lucky country but we have also worked hard to achieve what we have.  It is important however that Australia is a good international citizen and that we do the right thing to reach out to others in need.”


It’s great that we have the opportunity to have an impact on politics.  The group got to speak out for those who never usually have their voices heard.  They also talked to Mr Abbott about Manly-Manado, the community partnership that is enabling people in his very own electorate to take action against poverty.  Tony was encouraged to hear how local schools, churches, residents and businesses in Manly have engaged with this movement which has benefited some 6,000 people in Manado.