01/09/04

The Micah Challenge

"For the first time the United Nations has unanimously agreed to tackle issues of world poverty. As New Zealanders we must not miss this opportunity to advocate for marginalized peoples," says TEAR Fund Executive Director Stephen Tollestrup.

A new initiative, The MICAH Challenge, has been launched to increases New Zealanders involvement in advocacy issues and address world poverty.

The MICAH Challenge has two crucial and mutually dependent objectives. The first is to encourage world leaders to fulfill the responsibilities of the Millennium Goals. The eight Millennium Goals were ratified by all 191 member states of the United Nations in September 2000. They aim to half world poverty by 2015.

The goals include measurable, time-bound targets addressing poverty and hunger, education, maternal and child health, the prevalence of diseases including HIV/AIDs, gender equality, the environment, debt, trade justice and aid.

Secondly, the MICAH Challenge aims to empower New Zealanders as advocates of marginalized populations.

TEAR Fund will soon be hosting a series of free forums. The intention is to establish an independent New Zealand MICAH Challenge Committee.

Meetings will be presented by Steve Bradbury, the Chairperson of the International MICAH Challenge.

Meeting venues and dates are: Christchurch, September 7th, Wellington, September 8th, Auckland, September 9th.

For more information please contact TEAR Fund on 0800 800 777.

ENDS

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