Visit with Zambian Mission to UN

Posted by Jason Alfonse Fileta

I had the great honor and privilege to travel with Bishop Paul Mususu and Pastor Lawrence Temfwe of Zambia for the last week. We began in DC, and soon made our way to New York City for UN meetings and civil society events. On Thursday night we were tired and a bit discouraged as some of our plans had not materialized the way we had intended, but that changed at about 7pm when we met with the Zambian Ambassador to the United Nations, Mr. Lazarus Kapambwe. As I travel the country engaging folks with Micah Challenge I always share with folks that the exciting thing about Micah Challenge is that our partners in the Global South are consistently and powerfully engaging their leaders on the MDGs, and are aggressively holding them accountable as well. This notion that we are working hand in hand with those in the Global South energizes the students and pastors that I meet with. I had the privilege of seeing this first hand on Thursday night.

The Ambassador shared with us his views on the MDGs, and the challenges for Zambia to meet them. He highlighted fair trade as one of the most significant barriers to Zambia meeting the MDGs. It was amazing to see his commitment to the MDGs and to Zambia, and a blessing to know that there ARE leaders in the Global South who will stand up for the MDGs. It was likewise amazing to see how talented and insightful my colleagues Bishop Mususu and Pastor Temfwe were as they engaged with him on the MDGs. One thing that was very obvious was that these men were well known by the Zambian government because of their advocacy and development efforts back home, and that allowed them to get the meeting in NYC on such short notice. It was their testimony as church leaders who stand up for poverty that allowed them to even have such a meeting.

I was definitely inspired, and as we continue to travel across the country meeting with church leaders and college campuses I look forward to what else I can learn from my Zambian Brothers. Will we follow their example and sensitize our political leaders so much to the MDGs that they become as articulate and passionate about them as Ambassador Kapambwe?

Take the time to write a note to our presidential hopefuls asking them to commit to meeting the MDGs.

Micah Challenge Zambia MDGs Toolkit

Micah Challenge Zambia has introduced a toolkit on the MDGs. The toolkit explains what Micah Challenge Zambia is and the MDGs. If you want to download the toolkit on PDF kindly click on the link below.

Click here: microsoft-word-mcz-toolkit.pdf

Copperbelt launch conference – Monday 27 August

On Monday 27 August Micah Challenge Zambia will be holding a Copperbelt launch. This will be held at the New Beginnings Christian Centre in Kitwe town centre on from 08:30-15:00.

Guest speakers include:

• Rev Joel Edwards, Chair of the global Council for Micah Challenge and General Director of Evangelical Alliance UK
• Andy Clasper, Executive Director of Micah Challenge UK
• Jennifer Sakala, Civil Society for Trade Network in Zambia

To register your place please contact us:

Email: zambia@micahchallenge.org

Tel: 02 681 482 / 02 681 172