The government has some explaining to do about trade, aid and poverty.

I have a new accessory that I often wear, though it's unlikely to be found on fashionistas. My bracelet is made of white rubberised plastic. It carries the words Make Poverty History and I wear it because of this overt political message.

Make Poverty History is the slogan of supporters of the UN Millennium Development Goals. They are: eradicate extreme poverty and hunger; achieve universal primary education; promote gender equality and empower women; reduce child mortality; improve maternal health; combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; ensure environmental sustainability; and develop a global partnership for development.

The UN goals are being promoted by the Micah Challenge, a network set up in response to a groundswell among Christians wanting to contribute to the alleviation of poverty and to greater justice for poor communities around the globe. Christian aid agencies such as TEAR Fund, World Vision and Christian Aid in the UK support the Micah Challenge.

The Micah Challenge network takes seriously the prophet's words "He has showed you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God".

This month, world leaders are meeting at a special United Nations World Summit in New York to discuss progress on the Millennium Development Goals. Our Prime Minister John Howard will be there to talk about Australia's commitments and support of the goals. We don't have a particularly sound record in this area. We are No 19 of the 22 nations of the OECD in the amount of GDP that we give in overseas aid. The goal is 0.7 per cent of GDP, but we give 0.2 per cent. So the PM has some explaining to do. But just in case you think I am making a partisan political comment, let me point out that Australian Federal Governments from both sides have been party to the decrease in our contributions over the past two to three decades.

We are discomforted and challenged when we see indications of the desperate poverty so many live with daily. It's almost impossible to get your mind around the fact that every day 30,000 children die from poverty related diseases " every day!

Forgiveness of the debt of the poorest nations will not eradicate poverty immediately. It must be accompanied by other actions from developed nations, such as encouragement to achieve corruption free governance, industry development and the entrenchment of the rule of law and property rights.

The significance of inefficient government in entrenching poverty can be seen in a simple comparison. In Haiti, it takes 203 days to register a company. This is 201 days longer than in Australia.

We can also lend support to our Government as it works to eradicate protectionist trade policies in agriculture. For example, the EU alone spends A$4.4 billion (€2.7 billion) a year subsidising farmers to grow sugar beet; at the same time it imposes high tariff barriers against sugar imports from the developing world.

The Government has a strong commitment on this latter issue, though it has also to recognise that free trade brings with it the need to provide employment assistance to Australian workers whose industry is affected.

Sunday September 11 is a global White Band Day. Get one from TEAR or World Vision and wear it, and also get from them a free Make Poverty History postcard, addressed to Mr Howard. It will tell him you support the UN Millennium Goals and that you want Australia to give at least 0.5 per cent of GDP in overseas aid.

I never thought the day would come when I would sound like a political activist " but 30,000 children dying every day! It's intolerable!

Margaret Rodgers is a Board Member of World Vision Australia.