Release Date 14 January 2013

The University of Reading is playing host to a leading figure in the fight against global poverty next week.

Loretta Minghella, director of the international development charity Christian Aid, is coming to the University's Whiteknights campus on Wednesday (16 January) evening to deliver the University of Reading Chaplaincy New Year Lecture.

The event, which starts at 7pm, will offer a unique perspective on what the war on poverty means for us all and how we can act to make a difference.

The visit will also be a personal one for Ms Minghella, who will have a chance to privately tour the Minghella Building, the new £11m home for the University's Department of Film, Theatre & Television. The building was officially opened last year and named in honour of her brother, the late Anthony Minghella, the Oscar-winning film director of The English Patient.

Ms Minghella said: "It is an honour to be asked to give the New Year Reading Chaplaincy Lecture and I am very much looking forward to seeing the university building named after my brother Anthony.

"I and the rest of my family were deeply touched when we were told about the tribute and I'm sure it will be a moving experience to see the building in all its glory.

"Anthony inspired many people through his life and work and I hope the students who study in the Minghella Building will go on to achieve great things."

The lecture will include a discussion of the nature of poverty, and how it was no longer a case of rich versus poor countries, or simply a shortage of money or food.

"Today the main driver of poverty is inequality," Ms Minghella said. "Seventy-five per cent of the world's poorest people live in middle income countries such as Brazil and India.

"We've all paid a price for the failures in our financial system in recent years but those in poverty have been hit hardest. It's clear we need different economic models and policies for the future which recognise the dignity of every person and better tackle the root causes of injustice and inequality.

"Jesus spoke about the gospel being good news to the poor. I believe Christianity can be a powerful force for positive and transformational change and I'm grateful for the opportunity to talk about its potential to drive poverty eradication around the world."

The Rev Mark Laynesmith, from the University of Reading Chaplaincy, said: "Universities aim to prepare their students for better, more prosperous lives once they graduate. But University life can be about far more than that, opening peoples' awareness and understanding of the wider world.

"In keeping with this, I'm delighted that Loretta Minghella is coming to Reading to deliver this lecture. I'm sure that students, staff and members of the public who attend will gain from her important insights into the scandal of inequality that exists in our global society today, and be inspired to be a part of the response to it."

The lecture, called 'Christianity, capitalism and the poor - where's the good news?' is free to attend, but places are limited. To book, contact events@reading.ac.uk or call 0118 378 4313.

ENDS