Out with old, in with new, World Vision tells G8

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Old politics will not end global poverty, address climate change and feed the world's poor. Instead we need a new politics and leadership, said World Vision at the G8 in Japan this week. 

"Poverty, climate change and food insecurity are complex, global problems. If we are to address them, we need concerted, multilateral action led by the G8," says World Vision Deputy CEO Paul Ronalds. 

"Globally we've made real advances in addressing poverty over the past 10 years. However, we stand to lose everything we've gained because of climate change and rising food and energy prices. 

Child mortality from poverty has fallen below 10 million per year, but rising food prices are likely to push another 100 million people into poverty - 10 per cent of them children under 5. 

Malnutrition already contributes to the deaths of 3.7 million children under 5 every year. Insufficient nutrition has also stunted the development of 147 million pre-school children in poor countries. 

World Vision called on the G8 leaders to ensure the World Food Program has enough resources to meet the challenges of rising food prices for the poor, to abolish subsidies on food-based biofuels and conclude the Doha round in a way that promotes the interests of the poor and removes disincentives for farmers in poor nations. 

"We also want to see an increase in funding for global agricultural research, development and infrastructure. For example, up to a third of food is lost in storage in poor countries every year." added Mr Ronalds. 

For a copy of World Vision's policy statement to the G8 and the Australian Government please contact Michelle Rice on 0402 503 227. 

World Vision representatives in Australia and at the G8 in Japan are available for media interviews. 

Media Contacts:
Michelle Rice 0402 503 227 
Tara Likami 0415 709 520

Media Releases, Poverty, Asia and the Pacific, Australian Government, Foreign Aid, G8, Japan, World Food Crises

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