At Christian Aid we have a vision: an end to poverty.
We work for and with people of all faiths and none, as well as with churches and other organisations, to promote sustainable development, strive for social justice and pursue our vision of a world without poverty. In 37 countries, we support poor and marginalised people, whatever their beliefs, sexuality, gender and ethnicity, to lift themselves out of poverty. We do this by tackling both the causes and the symptoms of poverty so that everyone can achieve equality, dignity and freedom.
In the year Greenbelt celebrates its 50th anniversary, it also marks another major milestone — 30 years of partnership with Christian Aid. This year, Christian Aid will be telling a three-fold story:
PARTNERSHIP
Their 30 years of partnership with us — inspiring countless Greenbelters to raise their voices against injustice;
HOPE
Created by Ugandan artist Matt Kayem, their Beacon of Hope installation near The Shelter is a symbol of the incredible things we can achieve when we are united by hope;
JUSTICE
Inspired by all we have achieved together as part of a global movement, Christian Aid invites us to take a stand for climate justice and ‘make polluters pay’.
You can find Christian Aid in their own venue in the Glade Arena to find out more about how you can engage with your MP about climate justice. You’ll also find them in our venues across the festival throughout the weekend.
Members of the Northumbria Community will be leading services of Celtic Daily Prayer and praying for the work of Christian Aid. A mixture of said and sung liturgy, daily readings, quiet reflection and praying for others.
PROGRAMME
ALL WEEKEND
THE DELL – BEACON OF HOPE
Visit the stunning installation by
Ugandan artist Matt Kayem. Use the
guided prayer and see it light up as the
sun goes down.
CHRISTIAN AID IN THE GLADE
LOSS & DAMAGE CAMPAIGN
Find out how you can get involved in
the campaign for climate justice. Get
inspired and write to your MP.
CHRISTIAN AID IN THE GLADE
SPECIAL GUESTS
Various friends of Christian Aid will be
dropping in for special appearances
over the weekend. Check the boards
outside the venue for more info!
AROUND SITE
LOSS & DAMAGE: POPUP PERFORMANCE
Keep your eyes open for the pop-up
Loss & Damage show, and decide for
yourself who should foot the bill
THURSDAY
6.00pm
CHRISTIAN AID IN THE GLADE
30TH BIRTHDAY PARTY WITH HARRY BIRD
Come and celebrate 30 years of Christian Aid at Greenbelt. Expect birthday cake, party tunes and a special guest appearance from festival favourite Harry Bird.
7.15pm
CHRISTIAN AID IN THE GLADE
EVENING PRAYER
WITH THE NORTHUMBRIA COMMUNITY
FRIDAY
10.15 AM
CHRISTIAN AID IN THE GLADE
MORNING PRAYER WITH
THE NORTHUMBRIA COMMUNITY
10.30 AM
HOT HOUSE
IS TALKING CLIMATE CHANGE WITH MY MP
WORTH THE BOTHER?
The climate crisis is raging, people on
the frontlines are experiencing loss
and damage. What can talking to my
MP possibly do about that? Come and
explore the role of our local MPs when
it comes to winning on issues of global
justice.
Lobbying works! Following
conversations last year, Christian Aid’s
CEO Patrick Watt will be here to discuss
why and how they will be moving their
banking away from Barclays.
12.00 PM
CHRISTIAN AID IN THE GLADE
MIDDAY PRAYER WITH
THE NORTHUMBRIA COMMUNITY
1.00 PM
ENGINE
COURAGEOUS ADVOCATES:
WRITE TO YOUR MP
Young people’s voices matter!
Engaging with your local MP is a great
way to use your voice to take action
making the world a better and fairer
place for everyone; but knowing where
to start can be tricky. In this session we
will explore hints and tips for writing a
good letter to your MP by writing letters
together about climate justice.
2.00PM
CHRISTIAN AID IN THE GLADE
PATRICK WATT
Conversation and questions with Christian Aid’s CEO. A chance to delve deeper into how and why Christian Aid is changing its banking arrangements. As we celebrate our 30 years of partnership, what does it mean to be United by Hope in 2023?
3.00 PM
LIVING ROOM
CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME?
Christian Aid’s Pete Moorey joins
Hannah Fremont-Brown (Anti-Poverty
Movement Coordinator for the
Methodist Church) Danni Malone
(Director of Network Programmes &
Innovation at Trussell Trust) and Gareth
McNab (Director of External Affairs at
Christians Against Poverty).
7.15 PM
CHRISTIAN AID IN THE GLADE
COMPLINE WITH
THE NORTHUMBRIA COMMUNITY
SATURDAY
9.30 AM
CHRISTIAN AID IN THE GLADE
MORNING PRAYER WITH
THE NORTHUMBRIA
COMMUNITY
With special guests Fischy Music.
9.30 AM
HOT HOUSE
PROFITS VS PROPHETS
– HOW WE MAKE POLLUTERS PAY
The fossil fuel industry is making
millions every day, while people in
climate vulnerable countries pay the
bill. How can the prophetic voice of
the church challenge the profiteering
of the fossil fuel industry and stand in
solidarity with people experiencing
the loss and damage of climate
breakdown?
With panellists Jennifer Larbie
(Head of UK advocacy & campaigns, Christian Aid),
Melanie Nazareth (Christian Climate Action),
Rev Chris Howson (Chaplain, Sunderland University)
and Ruvimbo Makumbe (Christian Aid’s Prophetic Activist Scheme).
12.00 PM
CHRISTIAN AID IN THE GLADE
MIDDAY PRAYER WITH
THE NORTHUMBRIA COMMUNITY
12.15 PM
GLADE
THE SPIRITUALS
Get down to The Spirituals, an
incredible new Gospel choir from
London, formed in October 2020 by
music artist, Junior Garr and arranger/
conductor Marsha B Morrison and
focused on reimagining spiritual
anthems for the Black History Project.
Let them whet your appetite for their
national tour with Christian Aid this
autumn.
5.00 PM
SHELTER
THE SPIRITUALS
7.15 PM
CHRISTIAN AID IN THE GLADE
COMPLINE WITH
THE NORTHUMBRIACOMMUNITY
SUNDAY
9.30 AM
CHRISTIAN AID IN THE GLADE
MORNING PRAYER WITH
THE NORTHUMBRIA COMMUNITY
10.00 AM
GLADE
COMMUNION
In the communion gathering on Sunday
morning Fischy Music will be teaching
us to sing ‘Speak Up!’ a brand new
song written to support Christian Aid’s
children and young peoples work. Find
out more at the Schools and Youth
Showcase at 3pm.
12.00 PM
CHRISTIAN AID IN THE GLADE
MIDDAY PRAYER WITH
THE NORTHUMBRIA COMMUNITY
1.00 PM
TREEHOUSE
PALESTINE: A SHRINKING SPACE
The land available to Palestinians is
shrinking every day. So are the available
spaces to raise awareness, campaign
and take action for Palestinian rights,
with anti-boycott legislation, speakers
de-platformed and institutions acting
against Palestinian advocates. Let’s
examine how these spaces are being
restricted, the impact these measures
have and how those campaigning for
Palestinian rights are responding.
With Ben Jamal, director of the Palestine
Solidarity Campaign, William Bell from
Christian Aid, Daniel Munayer from
Musalaha and Chris Rose, director at
Amos Trust. Chaired by Phoebe Rison,
Advocacy Worker at Sabeel-Kairos UK.
2.00 PM
CHRISTIAN AID IN THE GLADE
IN CONVERSATION WITH GARTH HEWITT
Greenbelt’s partnership with Christian
Aid began thanks to the vision of
Garth Hewitt. He’ll be calling in to
chat and reflect on the importance of
partnership and the journey we have
been on together over the last 30
years. He may even sing us a song or
two!
3.00 PM
VILLAGE HALL
SCHOOLS AND YOUTH SHOWCASE
Christian Aid’s schools and youth team
are here to help teachers and youth
leaders support their young people
to become courageous advocates for
change. You’ll get a preview of their
brand new Loss & Damage game, and
hear about the Global Neighbours
school accreditation scheme, and learn
some new songs from Fischy Music.
Lat Blaylock of RE Today will be
sharing examples from the Spirited
Arts competition, and talking about
opportunities in RE for exploring
justice.
5.00 PM
ENGINE
COURAGEOUS ADVOCATES:
WEAR YOUR MESSAGE
Sharing your vision for a more loving,
just, and sustainable future can be fun
and creative! In this session we will be
getting crafty with T-shirts thinking
about the things that are important
to us and the message we want to
share with the world and putting your
creative voice onto your t-shirt to wear
for all to see.
7.15 PM
CHRISTIAN AID IN THE GLADE
COMPLINE WITH
THE NORTHUMBRIA COMMUNITY