The Politics of Poverty - be part of the debate
Tuesday 9th November at 19.45-22.00pm at the House of Commons
If you’re passionate about international development then this is your chance to ask your questions to decision-makers and leaders of the sector. 75 young people of faith (aged 18-30) will have the chance to be part of a Question Time format event chaired by Channel 4 News presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy. You will be able to put your questions on Climate Change and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to a panel of MPs and NGO representatives which will include:
- Stephen O’Brien, Conservative MP, the Under-Secretary of State for International Development
- Mark Lazarowicz, Labour MP, the Junior Shadow Spokesman of International Development
- Daniel Vockins, Campaign Manager for 10:10
- Deborah Doane, Director of the World Development Movement
The International Year of Youth which has just started is the ideal time for young people to learn more about our government’s plans on these key issues and make your opinions on our progress known at the highest levels. In the words of the UN Secretary General, we want:
“To include young people in policies, programmes and decision-making processes that benefit their futures and ours.”
Want to make your voice heard where it matters? Join MADE in Europe, Platform 2 (Christian Aid) and Tzedek in Westminster on Tuesday 9th November 2010 at 7.45pm.
If you are between 18 and 30 and would like the chance to attend this event, please complete this form and return it to leah, by the Sunday 31st of October, please email as soon as possible as the last few places are available. We want to make sure that we can represent the widest possible range of young people.
About the Issues
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
The MDGs are eight international development targets that aim to make a serious impact on alleviating global poverty. Members of the United Nations agreed in 2000 to achieve the MDGs by 2015. There are now just 5 years left to achieve the MDGs. The UN Summit to review MDG progress has just taken place in New York in September 2010 with the majority of aid groups and activists criticising the lack of concrete plans to tackle global poverty. Take a look at what Nick Clegg and other leaders discussed here.
The earth’s temperature is rising and there are increasing signs of its devastating effects. By 2020, some 75 to 250 million people in Africa will face increased water shortages, whilst more than 20 million people were displaced by sudden climate-related disasters in 2008 alone.The upcoming UN Climate Change conference in Mexico in December this year will present another opportunity for world leaders to take decisive action to confront the climate challenge. Will our leaders rise to the challenge? Check out recent comments by new Labour Leader Ed Miliband and UNFCCC Executive Secretary Christiana Figueres.
About the panelists
Stephen O’Brien MP, Under Secretary of State for International Development
Stephen O’Brien has a strong, long standing and committed interest in development. Born in Tanzania, he has championed development issues throughout his career. Taking a particular interest in malaria control and its eventual eradication, he founded and chaired the All Party Parliamentary Group for Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases for the past 6 years (winning e-Politix “Unsung Hero of the Year” award in 2009), and for the last 4½ years has been the Chairman of the Malaria Consortium. Stephen O’Brien was elected as the Member of Parliament for Eddisbury in the 1999 by-election. Since 2003 he has held a number of front-bench positions including Shadow Secretary of Sate for Industry, Shadow Minister for Skills & Higher Education and Shadow Treasury Minister. Prior to his appointment at DFID, he was Shadow Minister for Health & Social Care. He has also been an Opposition Whip.
Mark Lazarowicz, Labour MP, the Junior Shadow Spokesman of International Development
Mark Lazarowicz was elected as Member of Parliament for Edinburgh North and Leith in June 2001 and was re-elected in May 2005 and 2010, for the expanded Edinburgh North & Leith constituency. Since his election in 2001, he has taken a keen interest in a range of issues including international development, climate change and the environment, Europe, debt and personal finance, transport and constitutional issues.
Mark has recently been appointed as a Junior Shadow Spokesman for International Development. He has a longstanding interest in this area and was previously Vice-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Debt, Trade and Aid. Between October 2008 and May 2010, Mark was the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Global Carbon Markets and was the author of a major report on the subject. He is a member of the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee and was also responsible for a Private Member’s Bill designed to boost renewable energy generation which became the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Act 2006.
Daniel Vockins, Campaign Manager, 10:10
Daniel Vockins is Campaign Manager of 10:10 - a global movement of over 100k people, businesses and organisations tackling climate change in 42 countries. Daniel also manages 10:10's Lighter Later coalition calling for clock change which has a bill in Parliament on 3rd Dec. Before working on 10:10, Daniel coordinated the campaign behind smash hit film "The Age of Stupid" which saw Ed Miliband tackled live on stage over coal policy, the largest simultaneously film premiere in history and a live show broadcast from the Copenhagen climate summit with Thom Yorke (amongst others). Daniel was also President of the University of Sussex Students Union and was a UK youth representative to the UN climate negotiations in Poland.
Deborah Doane, Director of the World Development Movement
Deborah Doane as its new director, who started 1 June at the UK’s leading grassroots, anti-poverty campaigning organisation. The World Development Movement looks forward to an exciting new era led by Deborah's dynamism and a wealth of experience from over 15 years working on social and environmental issues.
