|PIC1|Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth Jan Figel met representatives from European Evangelical Alliance, Micah Challenge and the European Youth Mission Congress Mission-net, who sent the letters at their event in Oldenburg, Germany, in April.

The letters appealed to EU Development Commissioner Louis Michael to use his influence and focus his efforts to ensure targets set by the MDGs are met.

Commissioner Figel, who is also a committed Christian, drew attention to the EU’s Christian foundation and applauded the contribution of faith communities as a key influence for good within civil society.

Commissioner Figel acknowledged the important role which policy has to play but was also passionate about the importance of culture, sports, education and youth in mobilising people “with open minds and opened heartedness” in dealing with injustices.

“We don’t want the people of Europe to be tourists,” he said, “we want them to be citizens of Europe.”

Joel Edwards, international director of Micah Challenge International, said “We have written our letters because we believe that or nations have the means to vanquish extreme hunger and the moral obligation to do so.

“And we speak up because we sincerely believe that God expects everyone to act justly, to love mercy and walk in humility.”

Alexander Gentsch, Micah Challenge’s campaign coordinator in Germany, representing the letter-writers, said: “These young people showed lots of concern for the challenge of global poverty and the political priorities in their countries, especially in the time of financial and economic crisis.”

In the brief meeting in Brussels, the delegates asked Commissioner Figel to pass on the letters to the incoming Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid and said that they were very keen to continue an on-going dialogue about the member states’ response to the MDGs.