Oxfam Foreign Affairs Election Debate

It’s just over a month until Election Day - are key election issues like foreign affairs and climate change getting the attention they deserve? To see where parties stand, Oxfam is hosting two election debates and the first, on foreign affairs and aid, will be in Wellington next week. With representatives from National, Labour, Greens, NZ First and the Maori Parties, this is a fantastic opportunity to actively engage with policy makers.

Participants:
David Shearer – Labour Party
Barry Coates – Green Party
Chris McKenzie – Maori Party
Brent Pierson – NZ First
TBC – National Party

Chairperson: Rachael Le Mesurier – Executive Director, Oxfam NZ

WHEN: Tuesday, 19 August, 6:00-7:30pm
WHERE: Victoria University Pipitea Campus, Old Government Buildings Lecture Theatre 1.

BACKGROUND
Over seven billion people share our earth, but 1.2 billion of those are living in severe poverty. That’s 1/7th of the world’s population in urgent need. International aid is vital, yet New Zealand commits less than half (0.26%) the longstanding target of the world’s rich countries to contribute 0.7 per cent GNI.

Over the next decade, action from all countries is needed to tackle global challenges that threaten to reverse progress in poverty reduction over the past half century. The poorest countries and poorest people face financial instability, climate change, rising food prices, water scarcity and widening inequalities. What importance will the parties give to these issues?

Oxfam's 2014 foreign affairs election debate is an opportunity for the public to engage with representatives from our largest parties on their vision for the future.

The debate will feature interactive software allowing the audience to vote in real time on responses by each candidate. There will be time for questions from the audience during the debate.

ENDS

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