Local aid agencies welcome Assembly's motion on International Development
Oxfam Ireland Press Release
1st April 2008
The Coalition of Aid and Development Agencies Northern Ireland ( CADA ) has welcomed the NI Assembly's commitment to a range of activities to alleviate global poverty, suffering and injustice, as outlined in today's (April 1 st ) International Development Motion.
The coalition, whose members include Christian Aid, Concern, Oxfam Ireland , Save the Children and Trócaire, has said it looks forward to working with the All-Party Group on International Development, as well as all relevant government departments and agencies, to implement more detailed initiatives.
In particular CADA members are eager to see movement on such practical issues as development education, fair trade agreements and general public awareness of the obstacles facing poor people in developing countries and those affected by conflict overseas.
Brian Scott, the Chair of the coalition, said: “With 150,000 active financial and campaigning supporters behind its members, CADA believes that the passing of today's motion reflects the desire of the people of Northern Ireland to stand in solidarity with people in developing countries. We are delighted that Stormont is taking a lead on these issues.”
He concluded: “In the motion the Assembly not only recognises its responsibility to reflect the Northern Ireland people's concerns for the developing world, but commits to working in partnership with relevant organisations in order to support long-term development. This is a huge step forward.”
Contact:
Phillip Graham, Oxfam Ireland Media Officer on (028) 9089 5959 office/07841102535 mobile or
David O'Hare, Trócaire Press Officer on (028) 9080 8030 office/07900053884 mobile.
Notes to Editors
The Coalition of Aid and Development Agencies in Northern Ireland (CADA) represents 19 different agencies working on International Development, including: Amnesty International Ireland; British Council Northern Ireland; British Red Cross; Centre for Global Education; Children in Crossfire ; Christian Aid Ireland ; Concern ; Disability Aid Abroad; ICTU (Irish Congress of Trade Unions); Justice North; Oxfam Ireland; Save the Children; SEEDS; Tearfund; Tools for Solidarity; Trócaire; United Nations Association of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UNA-UK); VSO (formerly Voluntary Service Overseas); and War on Want Northern Ireland.
Also on 1st April, CADA is holding its AGM in Stormont, kindly hosted by the All-Party Group on International Development. CADA members, including Management Committee members, will be available for media interview in Room 21 of Stormont after 2pm , when they can discuss issues relating to the International Development Motion (which is reproduced below).
Oxfam Ireland is an independent member of Oxfam International- a group of thirteen non-governmental agencies dedicated to fighting poverty and related injustice around the world.
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