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 £500,000 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? Cut the Carbon

This is the third and concluding year of a series of appeals under the general title Whose Earth? The strap-line for the appeal this year is 'Cut the Carbon'. The heart of the appeal over the three-year period consists of drawing attention to the interface of authentic sustainable development and sound ecological stewardship. The projects we will be highlighting this Advent and Christmas are in Honduras (one Christian Aid, one Tearfund), the Philippines (Christian Aid) and Ethiopia (Tearfund). In the World Development Committee we believe that the story lines we have from Honduras strongly underline the benefits in a development perspective of cutting carbon use. They also challenge us to adopt more sustainable, less carbon dependent lifestyles.

Last year, our folk again gave generously to the World Development Appeal; it was the best supported ever, raising more than £730,000. 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. We understand that this year many of our folk will be feeling the economic pinch and have therefore provided you with a range of materials so that you can present the appeal in the best way possible for your congregation. In addition to the usual resources, we have provided a Biblical reflection, two songs, and have updated the eco ideas. This year, materials that can be are being sent to you on a CD as a way of reducing use of paper. These materials will also be available on the World Development website, along with photographs and power point presentations of projects supported.

All good things to you in the name of the God who calls us to lives of responsible stewardship.

Click on the image to download a copy of the poster