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"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." Proverbs 31: 8-9
Micah Challenge Action Toolkit
Raising Awareness about poverty and justice...
...for THE WORLD WE WANT TO SEE.
Our Invitation to you...
At Micah Challenge we are continually asking ourselves the question posed by the prophet Micah almost 3000 years ago - 'What does the Lord require of us?' In a world where almost a billion people go hungry and where a child still dies every three seconds, we invite you to ask the same question.
In the year 2000, the governments of the world, including the Australia Government, committed to meet eight bold but achievable Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and pledged to halve global poverty by 2015. As we look back there is much to celebrate. We are seeing change in our world. For example, this year an extra two million children will survive to see their 5th birthday, and nine out of ten children now complete a primary education.
We have the resources to meet these goals, yet we are dangerously behind schedule in many areas. I use the word 'dangerous' because we are talking about life and death situations.
But our God is a God of justice, love and hope. Christians are called to be people who 'act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with our God' (Micah 6:8). This is what God requires of us. We hope and pray that this kit will inspire you to do just that.
Let's join together in raising our collective voices to encourage our communities, our nation and world leaders to act for justice for the global poor...
...for THE WORLD WE WANT TO SEE.
- John Beckett
National Coordinator, Micah Challenge Australia
How to use the Micah Challenge Action Toolkit
The Micah Challenge Action Toolkit is a resource for Christians who want to raise awareness about poverty, and engage in dialogue and action at several different levels:
- In your own church or faith group;
- In your wider community;
- Nationally through the political process.
>> We encourage you order the Micah Challenge Action Toolkit in hardcopy, which includes the brand new 'World we want to see' DVD with campaign videos to inspire you to take action.
Contact info@micahchallenge.org.au to place an order. Please note: Micah Challenge suggests a donation of $8 per hardcopy kit towards production costs. Click here to make a donation.
There are a few resources which we particularly encourage to use:
1. Reflect on your own personal response to poverty by taking part in the '40 Day Fast' or by running the 'MDG Prayer Stations' action.
2. Coordinate a 'Survive Past Five' 5th Birthday Party or other creative event in your community.
We also encourage you to:
- Use the DVD and written resources together.
- Let us know what you are doing and the impact it is making, so we can put it up in the feedback section of our website. We love to hear action stories and so do other campaign supporters. Your story could be just the encouragement another campaigner on community needs to get started. Send your stories and photos to info@micahchallenge.org.au.
Remember; all action makes a difference. Use all the resources in the Toolkit, or make a start with just a few. Individual resources can be ordered separately from Micah Challenge or downloaded in soft copy below.
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FAITH and LEARNING... for the world we want to see
- 40 day fast (PDF)
- Bible Study - Introducing Advocacy (PDF)
- More Bible studies
- Introduction to the MDGs and Five Key Asks (PDF)
- More on the Millennium Development Goals
- MDG Prayer Stations (PDF)
- More prayer resources
ACTION... for the world we want to see
- Run a 'Survive Past Five' 5th Birthday Party action
- Send a 5th Birthday e-card to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, asking him to commit more aid dollars towards ensuring more children reach their 5th birthday
- Visit your Politician (PDF)
- More on contacting your politician including the latest MP briefing sheet
- Run an MDG forum (PDF) in the lead up to the 2010 federal election
- Contact your local media (PDF) to let them know about your involvement in an event or action, and maximise your campaigning efforts
- Make an Offering of Letters - Write a letter to the PM as an important pre-election action
- Run a Create to Advocate art exhibition
VIDEOS... about the world we want to see
The brand new 'World we want to see' DVD can can be ordered from the Micah Challenge office. Contact info@micahchallenge.org.au to order your Micah Challenge Action Toolkit including the new DVD (we suggest a donation of $8 per Toolkit ). The DVD includes heaps of videos to inspire you to take action including:
Main Clips:
- Feature video: 'The world we want to see' - show this short clip to introduce your church, school or group to Micah Challenge and inspire them to speak up for justice for the poor
- 'Visit your Politician' - Hear from politicians and ordinary Christians talk about the power of engaging with our elected representatives
- 'Take action in your community' - hear the stories of two groups groups who have taken action in their churches and with the wider community, and be inspired to get creative
Extra clips:
- Child and Maternal Health - learn more about MDGs 4 and 5
- Ursula's Story - learn about how climate change is impacting our neighbours in the Pacific
- Interview with Rev Dr Joel Edwards - hear from the Director of Micah Challenge International about being part of a global movement
- Heart Life VOICE - a clip about the Micah Challenge music project; about the link between worship and action
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