Members of the Mothers' Union (MU) and the Jubilee Debt Campaign (JDC) called for greater ongoing commitment to the issue of debt relief today, stating that the time has come to lift stricken countries 'out of poverty and restore a sense of justice between the world's poorest and richest countries.'

The call was announced prior to the handing over of a Jubilee Debt Petition of over 129,000 signatures to Her Majesty the Queen at Buckingham Palace. Stephen Rand, Chairman of JDC, said, "Tragically, we find ourselves involved in a war today. But there has been a battle happening for the past five years, with casualties occurring every minute and this cannot be ignored. The JDC petition is proof that there is a desire and public commitment to make sure we keep going in fighting this battle but we need the continued support of the Government in particular if we are to achieve this."

The Jubilee Debt Petition calls for deeper and wider debt relief for the millions of poor people in the Commonwealth and beyond, making this a Jubilee Year for All.

It is hoped that on receiving the petition, Her Majesty's Government will recognise that 100% debt cancellation is fundamental to reaching its debt cancellation goals.

"This petition celebrates the truly historical achievement of our Government in starting the process of debt relief. However, what has been promised so far in terms of debt relief is grotesque in its inadequacy. Over one billion of our fellow human beings are still enslaved by debt, many of them living on less than a dollar a day and this is not acceptable," said David Golding, member of JDC Board.

In the UK, members and supporters of JDC have been responsible for collecting over 62,000 petition signatures. The remainder has been collected by members of the MU from over 70 countries around the globe. Where people were not able to write their names, fingerprints were used instead.

Trish Heywood, Worldwide President of the Mothers' Union, presented the petition to Her Majesty with Stephen Rand, Chairman of JDC. They were joined outside the palace by campaigners from Chester, Newcastle and representatives of the Commonwealth countries including Nigeria and Ghana impacted by debt.

Speaking at the event, Martha Bodu Boateng, MU worker from Kumasi Diocese, Ghana, said, "I signed the petition because I wanted the poorer countries of the world to be relieved of debt and poverty. If debt was relieved, I know my local community would be able to evolve. At the moment there are no jobs for our youth, and the government does not have the money to help them. We need more money for education, which the government also cannot provide for our youth, both primary and secondary education."

JDC is a UK coalition of over 50 faith-based and secular agencies and more than 70 local/regional groups. Of its faith-based agencies, the MU is one of the largest with over one million members in over 70 countries worldwide.

"Global debt relief is very important to the MU, because one of its key objectives is to promote conditions in society that are favourable to family life. Stable families make for strong communities, which makes for a better world," said Reg Bailey, CEO of the MU.

To find out more about the MU visit: www.themothersunion.org
To find out more about JDC visit: www.jubileedebtcampaign.org.uk