Get down to business!: 16,000 speak up, Westminster listens
On Wednesday 16 November, CAFOD supporters went to Westminster to present 16,000 action cards to the Secretary of State for International Development, Andrew Mitchell.
Throughout the Lent season, thousands of CAFOD supporters called on the government to ‘ Get Down to Business’ by putting the men and women who run small businesses in poorer countries at the heart of government policy.
Andrew Mitchell’s response
On the outstanding response from CAFOD supporters, Andrew Mitchell said, “Thank you for your letters, postcards and posters about the important role small businesses play in getting people out of poverty.
“The UK government agrees with you about the important contribution that small businesses make in driving forward growth, creating jobs and bringing self respect and security to millions of poor people around the world. Like you, we want to see small business men and women succeed, and are taking action at all levels to help them do so.”
Strength of our collective voice
Campaigns manager, Clare Lyons said, “It’s great that campaigners have been able to highlight this vital issue with government, and it’s encouraging that Andrew Mitchell has listened. Thousands of us up and down the country have put our names to action cards, written letters and organised activities in our parishes to ensure that small businesses like Amparo’s in Colombia can flourish. It shows that when we stand together we have a powerful voice which politicians can’t ignore. We’ll be following up with the government to ensure that they continue to drive forward this important area of work for the poorest people.”
Where next?
Thanks to you, Get Down to Business made the government take notice of how essential small businesses are. In Lent next year, we’ll be asking you to ‘Thirst for change’ – to stand side by side with our brothers and sisters across the world who don’t have access to clean water and safe sanitation.
