Religious leaders from across the G8 countries have called on heads of government to follow the UK in fulfilling existing commitments to spend 0.7 per cent of national income on aid. Over 70 religious leaders emphasised in a letter to the Financial Times that from April 5, only 1,000 days remain to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by the 2015 deadline. With a focus on tax, trade and transparency, the religious leaders argue, the UK Presidency of the G8 has the potential to advance the MDG agenda in ways that will strike at the underlying causes of poverty, in particular by ensuring the wealth created by developing countries is not lost through unfair tax practices, a lack of transparency or a failure to secure the benefits of trade for developing countries. Meeting the remaining targets, while challenging, is possible - but only if governments do not waver from the moral and political commitments made over a decade ago," the letter stresses.

Pray: for a positive response and continued commitment to the MDG by the G* leaders. (1Jn.3:17)

More: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/18284