wfn.org | ABCUSA: 'Bread' Campaign Supports Millennium Challenge Account

["SCHRAMM, Richard" <Richard.Schramm@abc-usa.org>]

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 4/9/03)--Bread for the
World, the Christian antihunger organization supported by many American
Baptist individuals and churches, is in the midst of a campaign, "Rise to
the Challenge: End World Hunger," that encourages increased development
assistance to poor countries through the newly-proposed Millennium Challenge
Account (MCA).

MCA, which is being considered now by Congress as part of budget
negotiations, would nearly double current funding designated by the U.S. for
global development assistance to countries meeting certain eligibility
criteria.  The Bread for the World campaign calls for Congress to make sure
MCA is fully funded and focused on reducing poverty and hunger.  

As final budget discussions are underway, immediate action is urged.  The
current focus, like all of Bread for the World's campaigns over the past 29
years, asks individuals and their churches to participate in an "Offering of
Letters" in which correspondence advocating action is sent to congressional
representatives.

MCA is the result of a Bush Administration initiative launched last year to
offer "a new compact for development" that would "link greater contributions
by developed nations to greater responsibility by developing nations,"
according to Bread for the World.  Under the Bush proposal the U.S. in 2003
will contribute at least $1.3 billion to MCA and will incrementally increase
annual contributions to $5 billion by 2006.  MCA-funded initiatives will
help eligible developing countries improve their economies and standards of
living.

"After years of declining foreign assistance budgets, President Bush's
proposal is a breath of fresh air," said Bread for the World President David
Beckmann.  He noted that the current campaign "provides people of faith a
timely opportunity to use the gift of their citizenship to make a profound
difference in the lives of hungry and poor people around the world."  

For resources or more information contact Bread for the World, 50 F St. NW,
Suite 500, Washington, DC 20001; phone: (202)639-9400/(800)82-BREAD; fax:
(202)639-9401; Web: www.bread.org.

K/2003ABNS/03ABN55

American Baptist News Service: Office of Communication, American Baptist
Churches USA, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851; (800)ABC-3USA x2077
/ (610)768-2077; fax: (610)768-2320; www.abc-usa.org;
richard.schramm@abc-usa.org