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Global poverty on election agenda Global poverty on election agenda
(about 9 hours later)
Scotland's political parties are expected to set out their plans on international aid on Sunday. Scotland's political parties set out their plans on international aid at a hustings event on Sunday.
Following a call by eight of Scotland's leading aid agencies, the main parties will tell what they intend to do to tackle global poverty. Following a call by eight of Scotland's leading aid agencies, the main parties detailed what they intended to do to tackle global poverty.
Aid workers want politicians to do more to bridge the gap between public support for action and urgent need in developing countries.Aid workers want politicians to do more to bridge the gap between public support for action and urgent need in developing countries.
A "development day" election hustings will take place in Edinburgh. The "development day" event took place at St Augustines Church in the capital.
The SNP have promised to double the current international aid budget given by the Scottish Executive if they gain power. The SNP promised to double the current international aid budget given by the Scottish Executive if they gain power.
The Liberal Democrats are calling for a similar package and looking for cross party support on the issue regardless of the outcome of the election.The Liberal Democrats are calling for a similar package and looking for cross party support on the issue regardless of the outcome of the election.
Labour have promised to continue to target their international aid budget to Malawai.Labour have promised to continue to target their international aid budget to Malawai.
The Scottish Conservatives feel the issue is one better handled nationally with the large budgets of Whitehall.The Scottish Conservatives feel the issue is one better handled nationally with the large budgets of Whitehall.
Scotland must punch above its weight to help tackle global poverty Paul ChitnisSCIAFScotland must punch above its weight to help tackle global poverty Paul ChitnisSCIAF
Judith Robertson, head of Oxfam in Scotland, said: "Worldwide 5,000 children will die from dirty water every day, 1,440 women will die in child birth and 80 million children will not go to school tomorrow.Judith Robertson, head of Oxfam in Scotland, said: "Worldwide 5,000 children will die from dirty water every day, 1,440 women will die in child birth and 80 million children will not go to school tomorrow.
"That is why this is not a polite request for more action, but an urgent demand that Scotland's politicians do all that they can to address the injustice of global poverty."That is why this is not a polite request for more action, but an urgent demand that Scotland's politicians do all that they can to address the injustice of global poverty.
"We believe that there is a lot more that can be done to further develop and improve Scotland's current aid policy and ensure Scotland is a force for good in the developing world."We believe that there is a lot more that can be done to further develop and improve Scotland's current aid policy and ensure Scotland is a force for good in the developing world.
"In particular we want to see an increase in the aid budget and a commitment to improving the quality of Scottish aid.""In particular we want to see an increase in the aid budget and a commitment to improving the quality of Scottish aid."
'Public demand''Public demand'
The hustings event will take place at St Augustines Church in the capital. Paul Chitnis, from SCIAF, said: "It is now almost two years since the Make Poverty History march in central Edinburgh when 250,000 people, most of the them Scots, joined a worldwide demand for more and better aid, trade, justice and to drop the debt.
Paul Chitnis, SCIAF, said: "It is now almost two years since the Make Poverty History march in central Edinburgh when 250,000 people, most of the them Scots, joined a worldwide demand for more and better aid, trade, justice and to drop the debt.
"We know from opinion polling that the Scottish public's demand for action against poverty remains as strong as ever."We know from opinion polling that the Scottish public's demand for action against poverty remains as strong as ever.
"It's now time for Scotland's politicians to set out what they will do to tackle the urgent need for action in countries across the world."It's now time for Scotland's politicians to set out what they will do to tackle the urgent need for action in countries across the world.
"Scotland must punch above its weight to help tackle global poverty.""Scotland must punch above its weight to help tackle global poverty."