Tutu Urges G8 leaders to Support Britain’s Anti-Poverty Effort

The former Archbishop of Cape Town and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Dr Desmond Tutu, addressed the congregation in Dublin, Ireland on Monday. In the midst of the massive Make Poverty History Campaign launched in the UK, Tutu urged the G8 - the richest nations of the world - to support the British Chancellor Gordon Brown's anti-poverty plan for Africa.

Dr Tutu said he was very thrilled by the so-called "new Marshall Plan for Africa" put forward by Chancellor Brown.

In January, Brown laid out a five-point plan at a UN meeting which includes 100% debt relief for the poorest countries, setting up an international finance facility to raise extra aid, a comprehensive plan to tackle aid, schooling for children as well as improving the trade system in poor countries.

Brown is a frontline supporter of the Make Poverty History Campaign, and he has previously commented that 2005 would be "make or break" for development in poorer countries, in the light of the presidency of the UK for both the EU and G8 summit.

Dr Tutu said, "It was in the interests of the G8 countries to create a more stable and prosperous Africa, as a vibrant economy there would be a great deal better for all than an Africa that is overwhelmed by poverty, disease, conflict and corruption."

Currently, hundreds of thousands of individuals, NGOs, churches and faith-based organisations, are getting ready for a massive Make Poverty History rally on Saturday 2nd July in Edinburgh, as the world leaders of the eight richest nations in the world will gather for the G8 summit. They aim to pressure G8 nations to agree to take actions to eradicate poverty in the world.

Concerning the idea of inviting Pope Benedict XVI to join the rally, Dr Tutu said the more people with a high profile who attend, the better, as it gives hope and encouragement to those who are seen as the victims.

In Dr Tutu’s sermon, he encouraged the Irish congregation to celebrate their growing diversity, giving an example that "a rainbow is only a rainbow because it has different colours". He asked people never lose the hope of reconciliation with regards to the conflicts between Catholics and Protestants.

Dr Tutu will be in Ireland until Wednesday.