Tomorrow

Being a Scot I'm fixated by the weather - the good new is that it's forecast to be dry in Edinburgh tomorrow for the Make Poverty History march.

We finally decided to take our boys with us - so no doubt you'll find us near the dinosaur in the meadows. Alison and the kids will head off home on the bus from our church. I plan to hang around and try and catch up with whoever is still around - Andy & Si will both be about so I hope to track them down. Given I've never met Andy this may prove difficult.

So here's the question - do I think that my being there will help end poverty? The simple answer is no - "the poor you will always have with you" (Matt 26:11). This statement of Jesus is not a reason do then do nothing about poverty, but rather was recognition that until he returns and heaven and earth collide (Rev 21), there will always be those who by their greed, corruption and selfishness will condemn others to poverty. We do however have our part to play, we need to "act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God" (Micah 6:8). We also need to encourage our governments to act justly and love mercy. PM Blair certainly seems to by saying the right things with regards to improving trade justice - but what of the other leaders?

I do however hope that by being in Edinburgh we will help maintain pressure on world leaders to more than they so far have regarding poverty and the structures that help maintain it. Yet, it's going to take more than a one off march, or a number of rock concerts. Pressure will need to be maintained, awareness will need to be kept fresh, otherwise marching in Edinburgh will only be an exercise in salving our own consciousnesses.

I'd be interested to know from those outside the UK - is the Make Poverty History movement significant where you are? If not why not?

Comments

[Dougie Lochhead]

I have a "Make Poverty History" band and wear it in the bakery at a camp in Canada and it's always a discussion starter. Make Povery History and the G8 summit seem to be very irrelevant to Canadians.

I'm not sure why this would be?

[Dougie Lochhead]

I've also just found out that Make Poverty History is also in Canada see www.makepovertyhistory.ca but it's not been as highly publicised as the UK Campaign.