International Development
The Archbishop of Canterbury's role as a figure of unity of the worldwide Anglican Communion, which is represented in over 130 countries, means that he is in a unique position to bring the needs and voices of those facing poverty, disease and the effects of conflict, to the attention of national and international policy makers and donor agencies. The Archbishop monitors the situation in countries across the Anglican Communion and often speaks out on issues of peace, poverty and justice.
The Archbishop of Canterbury's International Development Secretariat (IDS) has been operational since 2005, and works on his behalf to build relationships between Anglican partners, and Christian and secular organisations in the development world, to facilitate community-based development and peace building. It seeks to help governments, UN agencies and international NGOs understand how they can work more effectively with Anglican partners and other faith-based organisations on development issues.
The department places a priority on collaborating with other Christian organisations in the field to do joint visits, training and programme development.
IDS is involved a number of community development programmes in sub-Saharan Africa, with a particular focus on education, but also peace building, micro-finance and HIV programmes. It also works to support Communion-wide advocacy on the Millennium Development Goals and other issues through the work of the Anglican Observer to the United Nations and the newly formed Anglican Alliance.
Global Advocacy for poverty and justice issues
As head of the Church of England and a focus for unity in the Anglican Communion, the Archbishop of Canterbury has many opportunities to speak out on poverty and justice issues and to convene Anglican leaders and leaders of other faiths on this issue in the UK and internationally.
The International Development Secretariat (IDS) works to strengthen the existing advocacy work carried out by mission and development agencies and by church leaders themselves.
"The challenge for the church is for us to let the voices be heard in high places."
- Edward Malecdan, Bishop of Northern Philippines
"When you talk about peace that's a political statement. When you talk about justice that's a political statement. Politics and religion are interwoven, the sacred and the human are seen as one stream which flows from one another."
- The Most Reverend Thabo Makgoba, the Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town
Recent items relating to International Development are shown below:
May 2005
Christianity, Islam and the Challenge of Poverty - Archbishop calls for co-operation on global poverty
18 May 2005
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has said Christian and Muslim leaders should work together…
April 2005
60th anniversary of Christian Aid - Archbishop condemns lack of trust in fight against poverty
26 April 2005
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, will warn today that a fundamental lack of trust is…
March 2005
Archbishop issues letter to Party Leaders
31 March 2005
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has issued a pre-election open letter, urging party…
An Easter Message to the Anglican Communion
22 March 2005
From the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, highlighting the resolve of the Primates of the…
February 2005
Debate on Africa, Millennium Development Goals and Causes of Conflict
2 February 2005
The House of Lords debated Lord Hannay of Chiswick's motion "to call attention to the report to the United…
January 2005
Bishops back 'Make Poverty History' Campaign
14 January 2005
Church of England bishops have backed the call to Make Poverty History in 2005.
December 2004
Christmas Story Challenges World to Right Injustice - Archbishop's Christmas Sermon 2004
25 December 2004
The birth of Christ is a profound challenge to our self-obsession and self-comfort, the Archbishop of…
June 2004
'Internationalism and Beyond' - dinner for the Anglican Observer to the United Nations
18 June 2004
A speech by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, on the occasion of a fund raising dinner…
February 2004
General Synod: Archbishop of Canterbury welcome to the Secretary of State for International Development
12 February 2004
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, at the General Synod in London.
General Synod: Telling the story, being positive about HIV/AIDS - Archbishop of Canterbury's remarks
12 February 2004
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, at the General Synod, London.