Global Development Group

The Global Development Group (GDG) exists to encourage London parishes in their relationship with the world church and their focus on global issues. As globalisation abolishes distance, London parishes must develop an awareness of the world church - its vibrancy, the issues that affect it, and the poverty and pain of many of its people. There is much to share with and learn from each other.

Proverbs 31: 8-9 says "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." We believe, therefore, that global poverty reduction is a biblical imperative.

The GDG strives to increase awareness of global issues and to encourage ongoing advocacy work, its goal being to GIVE HOPE. Here are some examples of its work:

• The GDG initiated the 2003, 2005 and 2007 Bishops' Lent Appeals for health care and welfare projects in the developing world, raising over £300,000.

• The GDG is actively promoting the diocesan engagement with the Millennium Development Goals.

• The GDG supports Fair Trade and in 2006 initiated the diocesan Fair Trade Diocese Campaign.

• The GDG supports the Trade Justice Movement (TJM), which works for fairer international trade rules. The Church of England became a member of TJM in September 2004.

• The GDG has been a significant supporter of Jubilee 2000 and its successor the Jubilee Debt Campaign (JDC). It continues to promote and disseminate JDC information, events and action requests through its networks.

• The GDG is involved in Just Share, an ecumenical initiative seeking to foster Christian engagement (particularly by employees of City institutions) with issues of globalisation and economic justice.

• The GDG held the Think Link event in October 2003 to hear and share how London parishes are working globally through their overseas links.

You can get involved with the GDG by contacting any member of the group. Any ideas, suggestions and comments are warmly welcomed.

The five Area World Development Advisers are:

Two Cities Area, vacant
Stepney Area, vacant
Kensington Area, Fran Chandler
Edmonton Area, Nathan Oparaeche
Willesden Area, Sheenagh Burrell

Other group members include:

Adviser on Social Justice, Chris Brice
Bishop of Edmonton, Peter Wheatley
Rt Revd Donald Arden
Revd Canon David Driscoll
Liz Wadland

And Representatives of the Mission and Development Agencies:

Christian Aid, Daniel Sinclair
CMS, Phil Evans
Crosslinks, Alan Purser
JustShare, Rev George Bush / Rachel Lindley
Latin Link,
London Churches Environment Network, Roy Tindle
Mothers' Union, Jane Davidson
SAMS, Richard Crofts
TearFund, Tim Creber
USPG, Valerie Bradfield

Useful sites to visit include:

Fairtrade Foundation www.fairtrade.org.uk
London Diocesan Fairtrade web pages http://fairtrade.london.anglican.org
JDC www.jubileedebtcampaign.org.uk
Jubilee research www.jubileeresearch.org
Just Share www.justshare.org.uk
Trade Justice Movement www.tradejusticemovement.org.uk
Christian Aid www.christianaid.org.uk
CMS www.cms-uk.org
Crosslinks www.crosslinks.org
Mother’s Union www.themothersunion.org
Operation Noah www.operationnoah.org
SAMS www.samsgb.org
Tearfund www.tearfund.org
USPG www.uspg.org.uk
World Development Movement www.wdm.org.uk