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Returning from our Birmingham to
Gleneagles Make Poverty History Debt March (sponsored by Jubilee Debt
Campaign) we all waited eagerly to hear Tony Blair's statement from the
summit. Would the efforts of so many people in so many different ways
lead to real progress on tackling the scandal of global poverty?
Well, Blair's statement suggests that real progress has been made which, if the proposals are implemented, will prevent the unnecessary deaths of millions of people. This is something we should acknowledge and celebrate. At the same time there is real frustration that these concessions to poor countries have had to be wrung out of the world's richest countries after so many years of struggle. Moreover, even now, the proposals fall short of what is needed to truly make poverty history. There is a four year delay on the increase in aid. The debt cancellation programme still doesn't extend to all the poor countries who need it and too many conditions remain attached. An end to rich country export subsidies still has no fixed date. Why is it so hard to get the world's richest to act decisively in favour of the world's poorest? It is almost as if the G8 and the other organs of global economic power, like the IMF, the World Bank and the WTO are guided by a "spirit of meanness", a deep seated reluctance to release their grip on accumulated wealth and power. I am struck by this "spirit of meanness" precisely because on the Make Poverty History Debt March we encountered an entirely different spirit amongst so many people as we walked to Gleneagles - a "spirit of generosity". On so many occasions we were overcome by an almost reckless generosity coming, very often, from complete strangers in the street. People would regularly offer us bottles of water or juice from their car or shopping bag, sometimes whole boxes of drink. At times the support car was almost overloaded with the bottles and cartons we received. We were spontaneously given a big box of chocolates by one passer by and another insisted on giving us £20 to cover the cost of blister treatments we were buying in Boots. On one occasion I went into a shop to buy safety pins for our banners and the shop keeper refused to take any money and wouldn't let me leave the shop until I had accepted a bottle of ginger beer from her! There were many other similar incidences. We also experienced this generosity in the churches where we stayed. There were offers of food at places where we had expected to be cooking for ourselves, offers of showers, clothes washing, even a doctor and a physiotherapist from one church found time to come and treat our walking injuries, aches and pains. This overflowing generosity stands in marked contrast to the "spirit of meanness" which appears to guide the actions and decisions of the G8. I believe it reflects an alternative economic model which so often remains hidden because it takes place at a grass roots, informal level. There is something natural and fully human about it. It is the economics of generosity and plenty which Jesus speaks of and witnesses to - water into gallons of wine, the good seed which produces a staggering harvest, the twelve baskets full of leftovers at the feeding of the five thousand, the disciples who, in giving all away, receive a hundredfold in this age of houses, family and fields. This is the economics of the kingdom and until this "spirit of generosity" triumphs over the "spirit of meanness" we will always have work to do. And this brings me to my second reflection upon the march. In one sense it was just that - a march, a physical journey, step by step, from Birmingham to Gleneagles. But the walkers were involved in a longer journey too. Not just Bob Geldof's "long march to justice" which continues on beyond Gleneagles but also, as Christians (all but one of the core walkers were active Christians from a variety of denominations) we march as pilgrims on the journey to the promised land. I think this fact means that Christians have a particular contribution to make in the world of campaigning and the struggle for peace and justice. We are never satisfied. It is never enough for us until "justice flows like a stream and righteousness like a river that never runs dry", until the blind recover their sight, the oppressed go free and the dead are raised to new life. This attitude is extremely annoying to the G8 leaders and others who operate in the world of realpolitik. At the post G8 summit press conference Tony Blair was visibly angry with those whom he felt were always saying "it is not enough", wrongly claiming that they were often the ones who were not prepared to get their hands dirty. It is the aid agencies, the NGOs, the faith communities with their direct links to poor country communities who precisely do get their hands dirty and for that very reason know that what was announced at the G8 summit is not enough to end global poverty and all its associated suffering and agony. So Mr Blair will have to get used to it. Whilst there is genuine delight at what has been achieved at the G8 summit, for faith led campaigners it is not enough, for our faith leads us on to the promised land. Until we and the world in which we live have reached the promised land we will not be satisfied. When the marchers finally reached the gates of the perimeter fence at Gleneagles after endless encounters with the police along the road we concluded the march with a short service witnessed only by the police on the other side of the fence and a few of the journalists who were still around. As part of that service we read out a short creed which describes the ultimate goal and makes clear that the journey goes on:
All the broken hearts shall rejoice; On June 18th three students, a senior citzen and six "in betweens", set out to march from Birmingham to Gleneagles, linking the two venues of the G8 meetings in Britain and gaining publicity for the Jubilee Debt Campaign as part of the MAKE POVERTY HISTORY year. Hundreds of people gathered to send us off from Chamberlain Square including politicians, bishops and leaders of many faiths, and we began walking with excitement and a spring in our step as a lively band played us out. A few streets later we were stopped by Sky TV who wanted to beam us out live to 30 countries. For publicity's sake we couldn't refuse, but it delayed us a very long time while the streets were heating up in the baking sun. Sunday was even hotter and caused most of us to get the painful blisters on the balls of our feet that stayed with us most of the journey, but after that baptism of fire, we all settled in to it and were determined to get all the way. We were walking between 20-25 miles each day and sleeping on church floors, so the wonderful welcomes we received from so many people all the up way were invaluable. Congratulations, cold drinks and cakes on route, delicious home cooking and offers of baths and showers on arrival, nothing was too much to ask and we were treated like royalty. Almost every day people would come to walk out with us, while others from the next destination would come to meet us. We were often greeted in to a town by the mayor in support of the campaign. People had decorated their buildings with the white MAKE POVERTY HISTORY tape and it was amazing to find such interest and encouragement wherever we went. For me Newcastle-under-Lyme was a special day. After a big welcome we were standing in a circle when an old man with slippers and a zimmer frame shuffled in. It was Martin Dent, the one who had had the original vision of Jubilee 2000 to cancel the impossible debts of poor countries. It was incredibly moving to stand there with him and realise how great and powerful that vision had become. Some of the loveliest welcomes came from school children standing at the gates as we passed. We were invited to visit a junor school on the outskirts of Bolton at 5.0pm, and assumed the children would have gone home. As we walked through the door there was a huge clapping and cheering. All the 5th year had done a project on poverty and had had permission to stay and wait for us. They plied us with drinks and sandwiches with beautiful politeness and care, then told us of the letters they'd written to Tony Blair. Who says the young are not interested nowadays! Bolton itself had had a whole afternoon of MAKE POVERTY HISTORY with events in the main square. As we arrived we were led up the Town Hall steps and given a hero's welcome from the mayor and over 700 people. The finale came when two canons shot 30,000 pieces of white confetti into the air, symbolising the number of avoidable, poverty related deaths each day. The next morning we breakfasted in the mayor's parlour using the best silverware and cut glass, then we were almost danced through the town,accompanied by bagpipes, the mayor and lots of supporters. Our hardest day was more than 26 miles and 1000ft. up over Shap Fell. We'd talked about it so much in trepidation, that I think our minds were ready for it's challenge. The younger ones flew up, and the others followed well. Heading for Scotland on a baking hot day we reached the beautiful clear river Esk where some waded in with all their clothes while others paddled more gently. The next excitement was reaching the sign itself, "Welcome to Scotland" - a first time for many. At Hawick we had our first rain. It bucketed down, and after so much dry heat it was quite pleasant, but it only lasted half an hour. Then Edinburgh, and 220,000 people - patient and peaceful people. There were so many of us that the march round the city continued right into the evening. With all our banners, shouting, drums and whistles, the message was well and truly heard. Two of us managed to get to the Christian Aid meeting where Gordon Brown was speaking. I sat there feeling so relieved and grateful that he has so fully understood the true nature of Africa's problems - no more harmful rich country conditions before receiving debt relief, but a mutually agreed and audited programme for putting the money released into poverty reduction through education, health and infrastructure - free trade is not the way forward for Africa's recovery, their governments must be allowed to make their own decisions about what is best for their country, and much more. Many are sceptical and want to write such speeches off, but the important thing is to realise how far forward he himself has moved. The constraints of world politics are such that he may not be able to deliver for some time, but this was definitely not just hot air. He spoke with his whole being, and his Africa trip has obviously brought a new understanding. After the excitement and events of Edinburgh when most were going home, it was a bit difficult turning the other way for Gleneagles. As we got nearer, and could begin to see the huge exclusion fence around the hotel, a new excitement led us on until we arrived at the entrance itself. We had carried some very big cardboard feet with us that were signed by politicians, mayors, bishops, hosts and wellwishers all the way up. We asked if we could deliver them ourselves. The police were very polite and friendly but said they couldn't let anyone through at all, but they agreed to deliver them for us. After a short service and a loud chanting of our "Make trade fair, G8, drop the debt, G8, give more aid, G8" which Shea had set to a Samba rhythm, we went down into Auchterarder to find the Global Village Cafe, specially set up for the week. We walked in to a hall full of people who welcomed us with great cheers and clapping, saying well done and welcome as a ceilidh band struck up. Large cafetieres of fairly traded coffee were brought and plates full of wonderful Scottish baking, as we sank down to enjoy the thrill of mission accomplished. So, was it worth it? YES. The publicity was enormous. National BBC, ITV and Sky television, local radio from our home towns and all the way up, national and local newspapers - it was amazing. Added to that, many host churches used our visit as a focal point for their own publicity and meetings, which spread the campaign even wider. There were also the number of people who saw us pass through and asked about us. The whole campaign to date has seen 18 countries have 100% debt cancellation. This is a welcome though small beginning when so much more is urgently needed, but when, in the early days, would we ever have dreamt that it would be at the top of the G8 agenda. The Debt March has given a significant boost to the groundswell of public concern, and demand for change is growing by the day, in both north and south. It's becoming so powerful that it would now seem to be unstoppable. Merryn Hellier. |