People of faith make an enormous contribution to poverty reduction around the world.  They have a long tradition of contributing to poverty reduction, for example in running schools and health clinics, and have often played a significant role in emergencies and disasters, and in conflict reduction and reconciliation.

When faith groups mobilize their resources – as in the Jubilee Debt Campaign – their impact is keenly felt, not least by the G8.   In 2007 we again saw the Pope’s direct encouragement with the G8 when his correspondence with Chancellor Merkel was published.   We saw the Pope asking the Chancellor to ensure that Africa and international development were prominent in Germanys’ G8 Presidency plans.

Building on those letters, a visiting delegation of Cardinals and Archbishops ranging from countries as far afield as the UK, India, Honduras, Nigeria, DRC, Germany, Italy and France lobbied the British Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer, the German Chancellor, Finance Minister and Federal President, the Italian Prime Minister, Finance Minister and Development Minister and the Pope on G8 international development issues.  

In March 2008, the IFFIm successfully issued a second bond in the international capital markets. The bond issue raised US$223 million (approximately £111.5 million) for the GAVI Alliance's programmes on immunisation and strengthening health systems. This will help to immunise millions of vulnerable people against diseases like polio and measles.