Welsh Solutions to Global Poverty

Welsh Labour First Minister says a devolved Wales is a more outward looking Wales

WALES has found its own role to play in finding solutions to global poverty and inequality said Welsh Labour First Minister Rhodri Morgan today.

Speaking on World Poverty Day (October 17th) the First Minister praised the groundbreaking contribution of Welsh communities towards life changing and life saving projects in Africa.

The Assembly Government's Wales for Africa project is supporting school, hospital and community links between Wales and Africa. These links work towards meeting the United Nation's Millennium Development Goals, which include securing access to basic health and education provision in Africa.

Wales for Africa supports the world's first Gold Star projects - launched this week - which recognise, promote and support the work of community building projects in Africa established by communities in Brecon, Brynycwm, Crymych, Hay on Wye and Pontypridd.

Welsh Labour First Minister RHODRI MORGAN said:

''Labour in Wales is committed to ending child poverty at home and abroad.

''Devolution has made Wales a more confident, outward looking nation.

''Those people who claimed we would be turned into a parochial and introverted nation by devolution have been proved wrong as Wales has blazed the trail on how a small nation can punch above its weight and contribute to eradicating global poverty.

 ''The people of Wales are renowned the world over for their internationalist outlook. Now from Pontypridd to Timbuktu - the passion and commitment Wales is showing on poverty relief is making a real difference in the lives of the poorest people in Africa.

''Lives in Africa are saved on a daily basis by the health training and malaria nets the Gold Star communities are providing. And lives are transformed by school building projects and teaching links.

''The Assembly Government's international sustainable development plan Wales for Africa is a unique and truly Welsh initiative.

''Today Wales is standing up and speaking out against global poverty and inequality and the whole world can hear.''

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