Engaging the public with global poverty event

Wednesday June 23 2010

The first of a series of round tables events flowing on from the Global Learning Charter, was hosted by the Earl of Sandwich in the House of Lords yesterday (22nd June).

Lord Sandwich welcomed senior representatives of the major development NGOs, as well as Charter signatories, academics, and policymakers from the Department for International Development (DFID).

 

The theme, Re-engaging the public with tackling global poverty, was introduced by Lord Sandwich, who has a background in international development and who currently focusses on human rights and development in Sudan, in particular.

Speakers included James Hardy, Director of Communications at DFID, Martin Kirk, Head of UK Campaigns, Oxfam GB and Andrew Darnton, a specialist researcher working in this field. The speakers presented evidence and considered a range of challenges and opportunities to start discussions.

Guests then contributed valuable experience and perspectives regarding the challenges and opportunities surrounding public engagement with global poverty. A number of interesting propositions were put and DEA will use these discussions as the basis of a briefing on this topic, which will be publicly available in due course.

There was considerable appetite amongst participants to continue to explore this vital topic, and DEA will be exploring how best to support an on-going dialogue in the coming weeks.

4 in 5 teachers feel they should teach how emerging economies increasingly impact on UK life. 3 in 5 aren’t confident to do so.
2 in 5 young people think what they do in their daily life impacts on people in other countries.