Subject formation over poverty solutions key – Government action insufficient

Concern, like so many organisations began as an ‘activist’ group – we became active for specific change, against hunger and famine (originally in Biafra) and for basic human needs and human rights. Today we remain active in the same struggles across many different parts of the world, especially in the Developing World where some of the most deep-seated and enduring human rights violations continue. Concern continues to believe and argue that activism is a vital part of the agenda for eradicating hunger and absolute poverty, inequality and injustice and in building better and more just alternatives. Today, Concern is active in four key areas: • We respond to emergencies and to people’s most immediate needs • We invest in long term human development • We undertake advocacy work on behalf of the world’s poor • We undertake education work here in Ireland to stimulate understanding of the issues and challenges In order to build a better and more just world, fundamental change is needed and needed urgently. This change will not come about simply through the actions of organisations such as Concern and others or indeed simply as a result of the actions (and inactions) of governments. Fundamental change involves all of us.