The World Development Committee

Welcome

The World Development Committee of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland has been in existence since July 1980. It gives our church members the opportunity to respond to the needs of the poorest and most marginalised of the world's people. We work in long term partnership with the poor, changing lives and communities for the better.

In the autumn each year we launch an appeal and over the Christmas period aim to raise approximately Ł500,000 for development projects. Funding is channelled through the churches own aid agencies - Christian Aid and Tearfund.

World Development not only aims to raise money but also to raise awareness.

World Development supports the continuing campaign to cancel the debt of poor countries.

World Development supports the Trade and Justice Movement which is working for fairer world trade rules.

In 2002 the General Assembly passed the following Resolution: "That The General Assembly encourage the use of fairly traded products within the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and advocate the use of fairly traded tea, coffee, and other products within Church House and also at presbytery and congregational events."

Photo of Mark Gray
Rev. Mark Gray
Convener, World Development Committee

To contact the Committee write to:
Convener,
World Development Committee,
Church House,
Belfast BT1 6DW.
Tel: (028) 9032 2284
Fax: (028) 9023 6605

Whose Earth? Seeds for Change

This is the second of a three year series of appeals under the general title Whose Earth? The strap-line for the appeal this year will be Seeds for Change. The heart of the appeal over the three-year period draws attention to the interface of authentic sustainable development and sound ecological stewardship. The projects we will be highlighting this Advent and Christmas are in Zimbabwe, Zambia, India and Mexico. In the World Development Committee we believe that the story lines we have from the Southern African countries of Zimbabwe and Zambia are particularly strong and compelling.

We also believe that the impact of climate change is a vital factor in our understanding of development today. Awareness of climate change is particularly pressing given the emerging consensus that even if the targets set by governments for the reduction of CO₂/greenhouse gas emissions are met they will be insufficient to forestall significant climactic chaos. It is by no means assured that these inadequate targets will be met. It is assured that natural disasters arising as a result of climate change will affect the poor most.

The situation is serious, but as the projects we highlight this year demonstrate there is much that can be done. We can play our part by reducing CO₂ emissions. Therefore as part of this year's World Development Appeal we have included some suggestions about how this might be taken forward by congregations, as an act of solidarity with the world's poor.

Last year, our folk again gave generously to the World Development Appeal; it was the best supported ever, raising more than Ł650,000. This happened because of your crucial involvement in highlighting the appeal - a huge thanks to you. The Committee encourage you in continuing to make the World Development Appeal a success. In addition to the print materials you have received, which include a letter of thanks to your congregation to read out and display, a power-point presentation and other photographs are also available on the World Development Committee website.

All good things in the Christ who calls us to lives of solidarity and self-giving.

Click on the image to download a copy of the poster