Monday 17th February 2014

An overlooked aspect of the lives of Old Testament prophets is that they often had access to the powers of the day. For example, Daniel held high office in two different pagan governments (Daniel 2:48, 6:1-3). Using his position, Daniel faithfully obeyed God and stood for what was right.

Later this year in Brisbane, Australia will host the first C20 Summit that is fully integrated into how the G20 is set up. The C20 is a group of civil society organisations, including non-government organisations, which seek to represent community voices, including those living in poverty around the world. Despite global poverty decreasing in recent years, a major challenge remains the growing gap between the world’s rich and poor.

Australia’s C20 Steering Committee, which I chair, has begun to map out how civil society can best utilise our access to power through directly influencing G20 policy. Civil society includes faith-based organisations which, in Australia, play a major role in the delivery of welfare services.

So, having a seat at the global economic policy-making table of the G20 is a wonderful opportunity.

One of the aims of the C20—while Australia holds the G20 Presidency this year—is to embed civil society’s input into the G20 process.

Indeed, for the world’s premier economic forum to include those who work at the coalface of improving life opportunities, brings greater legitimacy to the G20. It gives us the privilege of living out Proverbs 31:8-10: speaking out, judging righteously, and defending the rights of the poor and needy.

The C20 will be working on behalf of those most disadvantaged, just like Jesus did.

In practical terms, that means prompting world leaders and policy-makers to consider how the benefits of economic growth are shared. Civil society is acutely aware that making greater global prosperity a reality is not just about increasing economic growth; it’s about improving the lives of as many people as possible, not just the wealthiest.

Just like Daniel with the powers of his day, my prayer is that we will do this work well.

Image: Used under CC License from Downing Street/Flikr.