Exmouth and Exeter launch a Wave of Hope to send a message to G7 world leader
As Cornwall hosted the G7 summit of world leaders, waves of hope have been appearing across Cornwall and Devon and Christian Aid supporters from Exmouth and Exeter have now joined in. Exmouth & Lympstone Christian Aid Group and South Street Baptist Church, Exeter, both launched their waves, formed from hands made by church members.
Over the last few weeks Christian Aid supporters across Cornwall and Devon have asked their local churches and schools to join the ‘Wave of Hope’, by drawing, tracing, printing or painting a hand and making a display in their home, school or church ahead of the G7, to show the Prime Minister and other world leaders that they stand alongside each other to tackle injustice, no matter where they are. The G7 is made up of the richest countries in the world and with G7 leaders being hosted by the UK Government in Cornwall, this gave a unique opportunity to speak out to help shape a more just world.
John Elms, Christian Aid Local Organiser for Exmouth and Lympstone said: “It has been wonderful to join in with the ‘Wave of Hope’. We thought using sand art was a creative way to get involved and our message was seen by lots of people! Now is the time to speak up and take action for a better future”.
Mary Ellis, a Christian Aid supporter from South Street Baptist Church, Exeter, also created a Wave of Hope as well sending hands to St Anta Church, Carbis Bay, to be part of a mass Wave of Hope display for the G7 leaders to pass by, every day of the summit last weekend!
“ It was a great initiative to be part of and to use our premises to display to passers-by some of our hopes and concerns for the future, giving an opportunity to enjoy being creative whilst being inspired to think about the future and to make our voices heard, appealing to our world leaders for a greener, fairer tomorrow.”
Katrine Musgrave, Christian Aid’s Church Engagement and Fundraising Officer for Cornwall and Devon said: “The UK hosts two critical summits this year – the G7 just gone and the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in November. Decisions that governments make at these gatherings will affect all of us, now and for generations to come, especially women and girls from the Global South, and other marginalised groups.
“It’s time for the Prime Minister and the world’s governments to take action to address the biggest crises of our time and work together for a just and green recovery – one that provides vaccines and healthcare for all, fights poverty and injustice, and helps end the climate and nature crises. Together, we can flood world leaders with our calls for a better future – our voices rising together, no matter where we are. By joining the wave Exmouth and Exeter have become part of a much bigger picture.”
The ‘Wave of Hope’ was a venture of more than 70 organisations who form the coalition Crack the Crises, representing more than 10 million people in the UK.
