Why we campaign and advocate change | Our campaigns | How to get involved

Speaking out for others

 

In the fight to end world poverty, part of the battle is bringing local and international attention to the factors that plunge and hold people in poverty. It’s about speaking out for the needs of those who have few resources and little or no opportunities to be heard in a world competing for the next big headline.

When around 20% of the world’s people in the richest countries use 86% of the world’s resources and the poorest 20% use only 1.3%, the inequality is painfully obvious.

We campaign for change on behalf of others and you’re a vital part of that. You can make a difference.

Long-term change requires analysis and improvement of the systems and structures that cause poverty. Research, advocacy and the creation of effective policy are vital steps in this process.

People in positions of power need to know what concerns you. We can influence policy - locally or internationally - to make sure justice is done for the billions of people who go without enough food or clean water every day.

The solutions are available - all that’s needed is the determination to see them realised.

Why we campaign and advocate change

World Vision's Kevin Jenkins addresses leaders at the United Nations. Photo: everywomaneverychild.org

When the world seems saturated with bad news, frustration can generate apathy. World Vision campaigns to keep real issues – and real solutions – in the public eye.

Ultimately, we aim to raise awareness and secure aid and funding for impoverished communities.

Money alone can't create sustainable change. To break the cycle of poverty, loans and spiralling debt, self-sufficient and smarter programs need to be adopted.

Long-term substantial change, like improvements in education, can have a ripple effect through a community’s standard of health, level of HIV and AIDS and income generation.

The Millennium Development Goals were developed to address many of the problems that underpin disadvantage. Signed by 191 member countries of the United Nations, including Australia, their pursuit aims to halve world poverty by 2015. Australians everywhere can lend support, exert pressure and ensure this commitment is fulfilled.

For the Millennium Development Goals to be realised, governments must ensure substantial and suitable aid and fair trade. Only then will the 8 goals be achieved, and the worldwide disparity between standards of living be relieved.

Our campaigns

• Don’t Trade Lives is an advocacy campaign seeking to unite Australians against human trafficking and slavery. Working together, Australians can create change, asking governments to strengthen anti-trafficking policies AND petitioning industries to make changes to help eradicate child labour.
• World Vision's global campaign Child Health Now is the culmination of 50 years of experience caring for children and their communities. We have a unique understanding of how the health of mothers and children can be improved through simple, affordable and achievable means. Get involved in the campaign and help bring an end to preventable child deaths in the world’s poorest countries.
• The Make Poverty History coalition, of which World Vision is a member, is an international alliance of 60 NGOs, religious and community groups advocating for solutions to the factors creating and sustaining global poverty for billions around the world.
• World Vision supports Micah Challenge, a global Christian campaign urging world leaders to fulfil their promise to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. The Micah Challenge sets out to develop and strengthen the commitment to an integrated Gospel, one that both proclaims and demonstrates the love of Jesus to a world in need. It aims to be a prophetic voice, influencing global leaders to uphold the rights of the poor and oppressed. 

Get involved

Your lifestyle choices and passion can be an inspiration. Support a cause by making small changes:

• Sign up to Don’t Trade Lives, the campaign to raise awareness about human trafficking and slavery.
• Sign up to Child Health Now, World Vision's global campaign to improve maternal and child health and reduce child deaths under 5 from preventable causes.
• Attend the One Just World forums. Taking place across Australia, these forums on global poverty and justice have been convened in partnership with AusAID and the International Women’s Development Agency.
• Reduce your consumption, bargain fairly when travelling and purchase fair trade items for your home.
• Invest ethically and encourage your employer to be a socially responsible corporate player.
• Email your politicians. Phone talkback radio. Hold elected representatives accountable; they are in effect "our employees" – don’t let them forget it. Be brief, be polite, put your concern in your own words, and ask that action be taken.
• Encourage your friends, neighbours, colleagues or congregation to get involved too.

Together, we can all help raise awareness and influence decision-makers.