“You missed the talent show? Why? It was so good!”

“I was in Canberra.”
“Canberra?! Why would you go to Canberra? Meeting some politicians were you?”

“Well, actually yes.”
That’s exactly what I was doing. From October 10-12, my IPDS class and I were privileged enough to attend Voices for Justice, a Christian conference devoted to lobbying politicians into action for global development. It was every IPDS student’s dream: a conference full of experts in the field of development work who are passionate about campaigning for change.

But before I continue telling you all about this amazing weekend, let me ask you a question:

What percentage of the budget do you think we give to Australian Aid?

You may be shocked to know that currently only 0.22% of Australia’s budget is going towards aid. That’s 22 cents per $100. Shocking right?! If you’re anything like the majority of Australians in a recent study, you probably thought we gave 16%. And if you thought that, like those in the study you probably also thought that was too much and we should only be giving about 12%.* When you compare these numbers, it’s obvious Australia isn’t doing what it should be by international standards, or what it’s citizens think it should be doing. After all, 0.22% is a long way from the 12% most Aussies think we should be giving.

Since 2000, the international community came together to fight poverty and significant progress was achieved. But it’s not enough. Australia made an international commitment to give 0.7% of our Gross National Income in Aid as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. We are the second wealthiest country in the world and have the fourth lowest level of debt among aid-giving nations, but still we aren’t giving that 0.7% we agreed to give! We are only giving a measly 0.22% after our recent aid cuts of $700 billion+. This means that many similar countries are donating three to four times more than us. That’s embarrassing. It’s not fair to take aid from those who need it.

I’m sorry to hit you with so many facts, but they are just that: facts. Ignoring them won’t change them. You may be sitting there disheartened and wondering what you could possibly do to help. This is where the justice conference comes in (remember that thing I was talking about before I beat you over the head with all those facts?). Instead of sitting around feeling dejected, we were given the power to take action. Over Saturday and Sunday we attended workshops, participated in simulation activities and prepare
d to meet our local MPs. Yes, we had scheduled meetings to visit politicians in the hope that they would campaign on our behalf in Parliament. We were given the power to try and influence the way this country is headed and to help those who need it most. It also provided a great way to meet Christians from all over Australia, who like me, take Micah 6:8 seriously; seeking to “act justly and to love mercy”.

It was great to find some validation for my degree, something I think we can all use at Avondale, and to campaign for something I am passionate about. The Micah Challenge helped me to confirm why I am studying IPDS. You don’t have to go to Canberra or study IPDS, though, to advocate for those who don’t have a voice. Just don’t be a clicktivist.

SUBSCRIPT: Thanks to my IPDS class who provided thoughtful talking points to help me with creating this article

*Hanson, F. (2011), “Australia and the World,” Lowy Institute for Foreign Policy, p.1

– Ashley Steele

Tell Ashley your birthday once and chances are she’ll remember it, even years later.