Over a dozen church leaders in the United States are urging a new strategy for Afghanistan on President Barack Obama, based on a "a humanitarian and development surge" rather than military might.

America can either tolerate constant and crippling conflict, or recognise that the yearning for peace is universal, and strengthen its resolve to end conflicts around the world, say US Christian leaders, echoing President Obama's words back to him. They are calling for a new approach to Afghanistan based on "a humanitarian and development surge".

More than 1,200 faith-based and antipoverty activists took part in the recent Mobilization to End Poverty event in the USA, which aimed to consolidate broad-based support for fresh policies on social justice and deprivation.

Celebrities, theologians and activists, including Bono, Brian McLaren and Shane Claiborne have written to President-elect Obama challenging him on a range of issues to address in his presidency.

Faith leaders in the world's riches nation have told a hearing that it is time to stop the "poverty train" in the United States of America and rescue its 37 million citizens who are still living below the poverty line.

The social transformation of the world - alleviating poverty and disease, restoring human rights and religious freedom, bringing peace overcoming prejudice - can only come through spiritual revival, progressive evangelical Jim Wallis has said.