CARE on Capitol Hill 2008

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 11, 2008) - Nearly 400 advocates are expected to attend CARE's two-day 2008 National Conference in Washington, D.C. on June 18 and 19 to press their representatives to act on policies related to the global hunger crisis, climate change, maternal health and sexual and gender based violence. "These issues are especially important in this election year and at a time when tens of millions of people are living on the edge," said CARE President and CEO Helene D. Gayle.

"We need to shake the status quo and help modernize US foreign assistance," Dr. Gayle said. "There's a great deal of talent and will among everyone who will convene on Capitol Hill to help give these issues the priority attention they deserve."

At the CARE National Conference, the advocates – including a mix of educators, students, business owners, doctors and bankers – will be joined by CARE Advocate for Maternal Health and author Christy Turlington Burns; CARE Ambassador and businesswoman Sheila Johnson; and CARE Ambassador and professional triathlete Eric Harr. They will join experts to participate in a day of plenary sessions at the Ronald Reagan Building before attending meetings the next day with Members of Congress. Guest speakers at the conference, including Professor Jeffrey Sachs and NBC Chief White House Correspondent David Gregory, will discuss global poverty, the political climate and the role Americans can take to help create positive change in the world.

"This is a unique meeting ground for people looking to take their support for any or all of these issues to the next level," says Christy Turlington Burns, a mother of two, whose participation will mark her fourth visit in two months to Capitol Hill as a CARE Advocate for Maternal Health. "It's important not only to make your vote count in the upcoming election but also make sure your voice gets heard all year round. By coming together at this conference, we aim to build and deepen relationships with our policymakers and engage them to support these issues."

The Issues

• Global Hunger Crisis: Food price increases have triggered a global surge in hunger and people cannot meet their basic needs. In the short term, more funding is necessary for emergency food aid to countries in need. Over the long term, the United States should consider a new approach to help developing countries build better systems to protect people from food insecurity before they fall into crisis.
• Climate Change: While traditionally viewed as an "environmental" issue, addressing climate change is also a people issue as it will ultimately impact those living in extreme poverty the most. Agriculture production will decline at a more rapid rate in poor countries, leading to increased malnutrition, infectious disease and death from natural disasters and cold- and heat-waves. While CARE supports a mandatory cap on greenhouse gas emissions, we also support initiatives to reduce poor people's vulnerability and give them the resources and tools to adapt to a warmer climate.
• Maternal Health: One in 16 pregnancies in sub-Saharan Africa result in maternal death. The House of Representatives recently passed a resolution calling for a greater investment in maternal health. This is a good first step that we encourage the Senate to replicate; however, the administration has urged Congress to cut funding for maternal health programming by 17 percent. Mothers around the world deserve more, not less, in this year's foreign appropriations bill.
• Sexual and Gender-Based Violence: At least one out of three women across the globe will be beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused in her lifetime, especially in conflict-affected parts of the world like the Democratic Republic of Congo. Members of Congress have introduced "The International Violence Against Women Act" in an effort to reduce violence against women in countries with the worst track records for protecting women. We must build support for passage of this Act.

About CARE: CARE fights global poverty with a focus on empowering marginalized women and girls to bring lasting change to their communities. The CARE Action Network is a group of CARE supporters working to educate our nation's leaders about issues related to global poverty. Together, we ask our elected officials to adopt policies that address the underlying causes of poverty, such as gender inequality and poor governance. To learn more about CARE, please visit www.care.org.