The Campaign for Shared Security works to engage religious leaders and believers around the world to unleash the power of multi-religious cooperation through shared action. It will also reach out to international organizations, governments, national assemblies and parliaments, municipalities, media, and all men and women of good will.

The Peace Foundation (Aotearoa-New Zealand) assisted with the launch of the campaign in Costa Rica in November 2009, when more than 120 young religious leaders of different faiths from forty-nine countries in six regions came together to outline their strategies for meeting the campaign’s three goals: abolishing nuclear weapons, stopping the proliferation and misuse of conventional weapons and redirecting at least 10 percent of military expenditure to achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015. The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and Costa Rican President Oscar Arias Sánchez offered their support to this historic initiative.

Over the three days of the event, several panel discussions were held that exposed the youth to valuable insights from international experts on each of the campaign goals. At the same time, capacity building workshops equipped the participants with the practical tools to work on lobbying and advocacy, engaging the media, raising public awareness and working with mayors, parliamentarians and policy makers for the purposes of the campaign. Lastly, participants were divided into regional working groups to develop national, regional and global plans of action that would eventually contribute to the success of the campaign.

At the closing ceremony of the event, the International Youth Committee (IYC) of Religions for Peace presented the Statement and Plan of Action of the Global Level to Mr. Hernando París, the Minister of Justice and Peace of Costa Rica. Each region has also committed to collect signatures on the Arms Down! Disarmament petition, and the Global Youth Network has set a goal of 50 million signatures to be delivered to the United National Secretary General, the permanent members of the Security Council, as well as to Members of Parliaments, in one year’s time.

Campaign for Shared Security
Religions for Peace homepage

The dates for Stand Up this year are 16-18 October, with Micah Sunday on 18 October.

The Debt Of Our Prayers is a Bible study and sermon resource which invites you to focus on the Lord’s Prayer, and to look again at the implications of praying this prayer as rich Christians. An African writer, Osayande Obery Hendricks says “… the Lord’s Prayer has as its paramount concern bread for subsistence in a time of hunger, relief from debt when an unjust debt structure crushed the people underfoot and the establishment of God’s sole sovereignty when the people’s misery was largely the by-product of Caesar’s authority…”.

For this and other Micah Sunday resources go to the Micah Challenge website. There are youth and adult bible study and sermon resources, PowerPoint slides and activities available as downloads. Go to the Micah Sunday page for these free resources.

I’m sorry Mr McCully, we didn’t realise that you were playing the game of Chicken-licken. We thought that it was a serious discussion about best practice development policy!

As the Minister says, it’s done: NZAID is merged back into the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the key focus statement is changed from ‘poverty alleviation’ to ‘sustainable economic growth’.

However, perhaps he did listen to some of our protests. Although NZAID is merged back into the ministry, we are assured that it will not be the same as in the days before its establishment. NZAID will continue to exist as an organisation within MFAT, with specialist staff, its own budget, and its own priorities (although these will have to be aligned with overall foreign affairs policy). Initially at least, the changes are designed to ensure budget savings by rationalising management and financial systems through the whole Ministry. While we continue to oppose the use of development aid as a foreign policy tool, the promise of continued budget increases is welcome. If the saving achieved by the merger means that the total amount of money goes further, then we will all be cheering!

Even the revised statement of NZAID priorities, while, as promised, putting economic growth at the top, continues to include the basic development principles:

Through its development assistance, NZAID supports activities that encourage economic growth; help to create safe, just and inclusive societies; fulfil basic needs; achieve environmental sustainability; and reduce hardship.
Currents magazine, April 2009

Economic growth and poverty elimination are two sides of the same coin. They are not opposites, and Mr McCully is right in saying that economic growth is necessary to enable the governments of poor countries to do more for their own people.

If NZAID programmes can produce economic growth that creates “safe, just and inclusive societies; fulfils basic needs; achieves environmental sustainability; and reduces hardship” then no one will be objecting.

Economic growth should be “safe, just and inclusive”, but history shows that free markets are not the way that happens. The developing countries have discovered this to their cost, which is why many of them are now baulking at the WTO Doha Round trade negotiations. “Free Trade” has not been free, and has worked to the advantage of the wealthy partner. There are too many examples where economic growth has either bypassed, or worse still, been at the expense of the poorer communities of a developing country.

It will not be enough for Mr McCully to use trade and tourism statistics as the objective measure of the success or failure of his approach. Both trade and tourism can be used to either help or to exploit the poor. Large scale, up-market tourist resorts on Pacific Islands look good and make big profits for their owners while injecting very little into the local economy.

How are we to address the Pacific trade deficits that Mr McCully rightly points out are unconscionably in New Zealand’s favour? Do we stop importing South American bananas and promote the development of large scale banana plantations in the Pacific? The history of corporate ownership of banana plantations is ugly reading, containing stories of land-grabbing and serious exploitation of workers.

Trade as a development tool is do-able. This is Fair Trade fortnight, and the principles of the Fair Trade movement have been promoted. Fair trade should not be just a niche market but can become a foundation for the mainstream economy. Pro-poor business can be based on standards of corporate social responsibility that respect the rights and needs of producers and workers in the developing countries. Growth does not have to be through sweat-shop production!

The real measure of the success of Mr McCully’s economic growth policy for development aid will be in the extent to which that growth reaches the poorest communities. We have yet to hear how he intends to make that happen, but we are ready to work with him if he shares the vision for pro-poor growth.

Paul Thompson
Micah Challenge Aotearoa New Zealand

• The second biggest killer of children under five worldwide is the lack of clean and accessible drinking water.
• Nearly 5,000 children die every day as a result of water-related diseases including cholera, typhoid and malaria.
• Just $1 can provide a child with safe drinking water for 30 days.  

What’s the Tap Project about?

This is the second year that New Zealand has taken part in The Tap Project (also running in the US) and already a record 300+ restaurants and cafes across the country have signed up to participate, including a number of major chains (all listed on our website: www.tapproject.org.nz).  

In the lead up to World Water Day on 22 March, the campaign celebrates the clean and plentiful tap water Kiwis are lucky enough to enjoy, while helping UNICEF provide safe drinking water for the world’s poorest children, with this year’s proceeds going to specific projects in Laos. 

Five easy ways to get involved

It’s really easy for everyone to get involved and a great way to make a life-saving difference to the futures of thousands of children.

1. Dine out or have a coffee at participating establishments and make a donation whilst there – all venues listed at www.tapproject.org.nz/restaurants.html
2. Make a donation online at www.tapproject.org.nz or by texting TAP to 833 ($3 automatic donation)
3. Join the Facebook group and help spread the word about the Tap Project. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=11175254404
4. Get your school or workplace involved by running water-themed events or activities, e.g. donations for drinking water from the water cooler. Download free education resources at www.tapproject.org.nz
5. Come to UNICEF’s World Water Day events:  On World Water Day – Sunday 22 March, local councillors will join a water challenge to coincide with Wellington’s dragon boat festival. On Sunday 5 April, an attempt will be made in Auckland to break the Guinness World Record for the largest ever simultaneous squirting of water pistols.   

Celebrity support

Many New Zealand celebrities are supporting the campaign, including Mike McRoberts, Alison Mau, Jay Reeves and Amber Peebles.

Further Information:

• For news, videos, online donation and useful info and links: www.tapproject.org.nz
• Media enquiries: david@unicef.org.nz (David Youngmeyer)
• General enquiries: carolyn@unicef.org.nz (Carolyn Shivanandan)
• UNICEF NZ: www.unicef.org.nz

The article is worth reading for anyone who didn’t catch it. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10559807

NZ has been one of the worst performers in terms of our aid contribution as a percentage of our GNI (gross domestic income), and are one of only 3 countries who have not set a timetable for honouring our .7% pledge (Australia and Japan are the other two).

However, the aid that we do give tends to be given well. That is to say the aid is not tied or linked to the donor countries political agenda. New Zealand aid was separated from Ministry or Foreign affairs seven years ago. The 2005 OECD DAC peer review report on NZAID, speaking of the 2002 changes, said “The reorientation of New Zealand’s development co-operation has been impressive… The creation of NZAID can be considered a success. In practice, its semi-autonomous status has been appropriate, allowing the agency to focus on poverty reduction and ensuring that the development programme is separate from – albeit coherent with – the foreign policy agenda.”

McCully said that poverty elimination should not be the focus of NZAid, rather it should be economic development. “You could ride around in a helicopter pushing hundred-dollar notes out the door and call that poverty elimination.” This is grossly unfair to the work of NZAid. In reality poverty elimination and economic development are always related, and getting the balance right is the work of all development and aid workers. The problem with talking of economic development in separation from poverty reduction is that it might simply be a door to assisting trade and business interest at the expense of those who are most marginalized and in need.

The role of aid is to say ‘what do you most need, and how can we help;’ the role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is to ask ‘what are our goals, and how can we advance them. It is not that one is good and one bad, simply that they are conflicting goals. This is the reason some degree of independence and separation is necessary. McCully wants to make sure that NZAid is working towards Government policy. Well of course, that is not in question. All departments should work towards government policy; the question is which policy aims should they be working towards? Those of our humanitarian and aid policies, or our Trade and Foreign Affairs policies?

The Oxfam press release is well worth reading.

It was reported that the Clark-led government in its final term increased its aid budget to $400 million, about 0.3 percent of gross national income. Certainly something to be applauded as this was an increase from our previous 2.7% contribution. What was not reported was that at the millennium development summit of 2000 New Zealand (along with all other attending nations) pledged .7% of GDP to aid. New Zealand remains one of the poorest performers in terms of our percentage contribution.

Offical Development Aid 2006

For more details on the campaign to hold ourselves accountable to our contribution promise visit the pointseven site.

If Helen gets the position will she be encouraging OECD governments to honour this commitment? Is this the inherent flaw in any such role? That in such a position you encourage others to do what you yourself are not prepared – or able – to do when in power yourself?

The National government have giving all their support to Helen Clark in her application for this role. Does this, I wonder, mean that they will endeavour to take her advice (should it happen to be given) and raise our contribution to the level promised?

The leaders of New Zealand churches are deeply concerned about the dire situation in Gaza and support the call for an immediate ceasefire in the region

The escalation of violence and associated increase in civilian casualties is intolerable. It is time for concerted action to end the suffering of the 1.5 million people trapped within the 360 square kilometers of Gaza with little food, water and medicine, and under almost continuous attack from the land, sea and air.

Before the collapse of the ceasefire in December, the borders of Gaza were tightly controlled and movement in and out very difficult. Now the conditions are much more lethal. The consequences of this unparalleled pressure cannot be underestimated. Already many innocent civilians have been killed and injured. People are living in perpetual fear and growing numbers of people are in desperate need of food and water as well as medical treatment. The trauma will have a lasting effect on everyone and is undermining any possibility of negotiating a just and sustainable peace.

To date the international community has failed to broker a lasting peace. We urge the New Zealand government to do all that it can through the United Nations and through its own diplomatic efforts to call a halt to Israel’s military offensive and the Hamas attacks. New Zealand has an obligation to uphold the international community’s ‘Responsibility to Protect’ populations from war crimes as agreed at the United Nations’ Millennium Summit.

As followers of Jesus, who exercised his ministry of reconciliation in this troubled region, Christians are deeply concerned about Jewish-Palestinian enmity. While religion is often tragically used to fuel inherited hostilities, it can also be a force for shalom/salaam. It is our hope and prayer that all adherents of the three Abrahamic faiths in that region (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) might truly seek the way of peace and reconciliation to which their scriptures bear witness.

We encourage church members and all people of goodwill to:

- Pray for the victims and perpetrators of violence in Gaza and Israel.
- Pray for the success of diplomatic efforts between Hamas, the Israeli Government and the international community.
- Pray for peace and reconciliation.
- Advocate for the New Zealand government, world leaders and the United Nations to take effective action to renew the ceasefire in Gaza and work towards a just resolution of the conflict in the interests of long term security and peace.
- Support the Christian World Service and Caritas Gaza Appeals providing desperately needed food, fuel, water and medicines in Gaza.

13 January 2009
Jabez Bryce, Bishop of Polynesia
Anglican Church in Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia
John A Dew, Archbishop of Wellington
Roman Catholic Church of New Zealand
Rodney Macann, National Leader
Baptist Union of New Zealand
Garth McKenzie, Territorial Commander
The Salvation Army
David Moxon, Senior Bishop of the New Zealand Dioceses
Anglican Church in Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia
Graham Redding, Assembly Moderator
Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand
Mia Tay, Clerk
Quaker Peace and Service Aotearoa New Zealand
Religious Society of Friends
Brown Turei, Bishop of Aotearoa
Anglican Church in Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia
Jill van der Geer, President
Methodist Church of New Zealand

“Well, this aid thing has been going on for decades, I’ve donated thousands over the years and nothing seems to be changing – so what’s the point?”

But actually, in many parts of the world, things are improving.

Brief case-study: Water

Over the last 15 years, over 1.2 billion people have gained access to improved drinking water through the efforts of UNICEF alone. And the World Health Organisation’s cost-benefit analysis on water and sanitation shows that for every dollar spent, the average returns are valued at between $3 and $34, depending on the region. That’s pretty good economics!

Global coverage of safe drinking water increased from 78 % to 83 % between 1990 and 2004. And global access to basic sanitation has risen from 49 % in 1990 to 59 % today, with South Asia more than doubling its numbers during the period. In East Asia and the Pacific, the proportion jumped from 30 per cent to over 50 per cent. Hey, we are making progress!

These stats are no reason to become complacent, but it’s so encouraging and motivating to know that we are making a difference. We do still have a really long way to go -1 in 6 people still lack access to safe water and 2.6 billion lack basic sanitation, putting people at risk of diarrhoea, cholera and heaps of other potentially fatal water-borne diseases – but we can do it! Take a look at these sites for info on World Water Day and your chance to make a difference:

UNICEF – Water and Sanitation

UN – World Water Day ‘08

Oxfam – World Water Day 2008

P.S. I’ve just come across a site that lets you calculate your annual water consumption (or your “water footprint”). It’s an interesting site, but I found it hard to estimate my weekly consumption of different types of food in kilogrammes. Also, the site lacks any relative measures, and I think it would be useful to show what the main things are that you could do to lower your consumption. Definitely still worth checking out though.

If anyone knows of better sites to calculate water footprints it’d be great if you could put it in comments below!