5th annual delegation 

On 9 August 2023, NCCA General Secretary, Liz Stone joined a group of Christian Woman as they gathered in Canberra as part of the Micah Women Leaders (MWL) Delegation to Parliament House. 

"To have this many women all in one place, of one mind and one heart, meeting so many politicians is just mind blowing ... we really stormed those corridors!" MWL delegate

Key Figures:

• The group included 45 women from 12 church denominations!
• They met with 43 Politicians
• That included every major party (ALP, Coalition, Greens, and Independents)

What did the women talk about?

The women were there to discuss the positive role Australia can play in helping to create a safer world for all – specifically discussing with politicians why and how Australia must act now to help end extreme poverty, fight climate change, and reduce inequality.

The group brought attention to how the world has entered a state of ‘polycrisis’, where severe and mutually reinforcing shocks threaten to derail hard earned progress to improve the lives of millions in our world.

Using a special infographic briefing, the group made a compelling case for Australia lifting its aid budget and leadership on the global stage to meet these new challenges. 

What was the response?

• The group received an incredibly positive and productive response from politicians.
• Their discussions were particularly timely as they coincided with the release of the Government's new International Development Policy – meaning that these issues were top of mind for many politicians, helping facilitate important discussion.
• Their meetings and the insights gained from them, are being used to develop a new campaign for public launch in 2024 titled: Safer World For All. 

Roundtable Discussion with the Minister Pat Conroy MP

One of the highlights of the day was a roundtable discussion held with the Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Mr Pat Conroy.

Minister Conroy addressed the group, speaking directly to the need for Churches and Church leaders to play a role in their communities for addressing the moral need for an increase in our aid budget. He said directly to us when speaking about how to ensure bipartisanship on aid; 'We need you!'

The group responded through speeches made by Rev Sharon Hollis (President of the Uniting Church Australia), Ema Vueti (President of Pacific Islands Council of Queensland) & Richenda Vermeulen (CEO of ntegrity), stressing the collective desire of women Christian leaders across the Church, Civil Society, and Business, for strong and effective government action on behalf of the world's most vulnerable. 

What's next?

Micah Australia are currently developing Church toolkits for the launch of the Safer World for All campaign, as well as plans for their 2024 Women Leaders Network Breakfasts next March.

Photo Gallery
		Above: L to R: Charlene Luzuk, ADRA; Sureka Goringe, UnitingWorld and Liz Stone, NCCA
Above: (L) Liz Stone, NCCA with Rev Sharon Hollis, UCA Assembly President.
Above and below: group members meeting with MPs at Parliament House

Find out more about the Network

Women Christian leaders advocating for the world’s poor through influential political engagement