The 2010 Interfaith Partnership has issued a call to action for leaders and citizens of the G8 (now G20) nations to remain true to the Millennium Development Goals pledged in 2000. Over 100 senior faith leaders and their communities from around the world believe it is imperative to engage political leaders and citizens, encouraging them to take courageous and concrete action on global issues such as poverty reduction, environmental sustainability, universal education, non-violent peace building, and more.

Many media professionals and observers see effective media coverage of public affairs as an essential part of creating informed and inclusive public debate that ensures genuine citizenship, democratic participation, responsive governance and effective statecraft.

In this view, media should not just “report the news”, but broaden the public agenda and even help set it. This is not at odds with the principles of objectivity and balance, since media outlets and journalists have a duty to put forward views on matters of political and social justice.

When it comes to an increasingly important public policy matter such as poverty reduction, the media are crucial to bringing information before the public and contributing to the quality of public discourse. Effective action includes: scrutinising different actors’ approaches to tackling policy challenges and holding influential parties to account; providing an open forum for coverage and reflection of issues; and, in the interests of balance, helping to bring marginalised voices into the public debate.

The 2010 Interfaith Partnership, of which WACC is a member, is challenging members of their respective faith communities everywhere to lift up their voices so that political leaders will know very clearly that we care and want to empower change at a grass roots level.  People of all faiths and none are invited to participate.

Interfaith Statement

Further information

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