Multi-faith leaders come together at Lambeth Palace to support taking the Global Poverty Project’s message of action against ext

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At Lambeth Palace yesterday afternoon, multi-faith leaders came together to share a common vision with the Global Poverty Project: a vision of a world without extreme poverty within our lifetimes.

* Introduction by Dr Rowan Williams Archbishop of Canterbury
* Speakers included Elisha London, UK Country Manager for the Global Poverty Project, and Samia Ahmed, Senior Development Education Coordinator for Islamic Relief
* For a high resolution image to accompany this release please click here

At Lambeth Palace yesterday afternoon, multi-faith leaders came together to share a common vision with the Global Poverty Project: a vision of a world without extreme poverty within our lifetimes.

The Global Poverty Project’s ground-breaking presentation, 1.4 Billion Reasons, launched at a high-level UN summit in 2008, was co-delivered by Elisha London, expert in International Development and UK Country Manager of the Global Poverty Project and Senior Development Education Coordinator for Islamic Relief, Samia Ahmed.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, gave an inspiring introduction where he said: "All great faiths share the idea that human dignity is inalienable, and human dignity requires that people have control over the circumstances in which they live so that they can shape meaningful lives with constructive relationships."

He added: "The Global Poverty Project has very clearly defined aims, aims that are directed at our own societies, the wealthier parts of the world, to challenge themselves to do what they can to realise that dignity, that destiny, of others."

Working with the Tony Blair Faith Foundation on this multi-faith launch, the Global Poverty Project appealed to all faiths, asking them to seek to activate their own communities, as fully as possible, in the fight against extreme poverty.

Elisha London said: "Our aim at the Global Poverty Project is to empower people to take action through raising awareness on issues of extreme poverty. By taking 1.4 Billion Reasons to your faith communities, you will be empowering your audiences to take action in the most appropriate way."

Samia Ahmed commented: "Central to all faiths is belief and taking action that can benefit others. The Global Poverty Project aims to do just that."

1.4 Billion Reasons urges viewers to look beyond stereotyped views of trade and aid to help the 1.4 billion people who are still living on less than $1.25 per day. Elisha London drew renewed attention to the UN Millennium Development Goals and warned that, despite pledges on the issue, the global community is in danger of falling considerably short of the objectives by 2015.

More than 40,000 people will see 1.4 Billion Reasons in the UK this year as it is delivered to over 200 schools, universities, community groups, different faith groups and businesses.