The global financial crisis should not derail progress on fighting poverty worldwide, religious leaders have said, adding that the current financial market turmoil makes attempts to tackle deprivation all the more urgent.

The current global financial crisis is not a counsel of despair, says Patrick Hynes. It is an opportunity to review our priorities and invest practically for change through agencies like Oikocredit.

On the eve of the United Nations meeting on Millennium Development Goals in New York, the Archbishop of Canterbury has underlined the firm commitment of the Anglican Church to continue to work for the eradication of poverty.

Dr Rowan Williams, spiritual head of the world's 78 million Anglicans, today called on wealthy governments to fulfil their promises on aid, trade and development or see the world's poor continue to suffer disease, starvation and death.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, will today lead a high-profile march through London to highlight the need for governments to take firm action on the eradication of poverty worldwide.

Pope Benedict XVI has chosen "Combating poverty. Building peace" as the key theme for his Message for the 42nd World Day of Peace, due to be celebrated on 1 January 2009, the Vatican announced in a communique issued today.

UK-based international development agency Christian Aid has announced the appointment of Anne Owers, currently Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons, as their new chairperson, taking up the role later this year.

The UK-based international development agency Christian Aid intends to double the number of volunteer teachers it recruits over the next two years to help share stories about the work of its 700 partner organisations in 50 developing countries.

British MPs have been warned by Christian Aid, at a special briefing at the House of Commons, that unless the UK government commits to reducing emissions by 80% by 2050 millions of people in the developing world will suffer.