Make Poverty History, says Young Alliance

12.00.00am GMT Mon 14th Mar 2005

The youth wing of the Alliance Party, Young Alliance, used Party Conference today to campaign for Government assistance to eradicate Third World Debt and added its voice to the 'Make Poverty History' campaign.

Chairman Ian Parsley stated: 'We are seeking to raise awareness of the fact that even in this corner of the world we can play a part in tackling the severe poverty experienced in other areas of the world.

'To this end the Alliance Party has called on Belfast City Council to lead the way and make Belfast a designated Fair Trade city. We want to see an increase in the International

Development and Aid budgets of the UK and Irish Governments and the prioritization of initiatives that will foster the political stability needed by developing countries to manage debt cancellation and aid in a way which will benefit those who need it most.'

Young Alliance and Party Executive member, Ian Williamson, stated: 'The recent response to the Tsunami disaster demonstrated what we can achieve when ordinary people and government work together. However, this momentum should not be lost and the plight of countries where extreme poverty prevails must not be forgotten. The onus is on us all to ensure this does not happen.'