A household name, Christian Aid is the relief and development agency of 41 sponsoring churches in the UK. Justice Song explores the organisation’s rich history through a series of thematic chapters, interspersed with brief accounts of Christian Aid’s involvement with different countries around the world.

Its groundbreaking work dates back to 1945, when it was founded by British and Irish churches to help refugees following World War II. For 80 years, the organisation has provided humanitarian relief and long-term development support for poor communities across the globe, while highlighting suffering, tackling injustice and championing people’s rights.

Sir Robert Birley once wrote of Christian Aid’s founding Director, Janet Lacey CBE: ‘Bureaucracy […] collapsed at her approach; no one ever broke more rules.’ The book will capture the spirit of dissent and innovation which marks both Christian Aid’s beginnings and its work today.

From campaigns which took on the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, to the founding role it played in the Voluntary Service Overseas, Disasters Emergency Committee and Fairtrade Foundation, Christian Aid has consistently driven change. It helped set up the World Development Movement to encourage political campaigning, advised Martin Luther King while he was travelling in the UK, and counted the likes of Bishop Oscar Romero amongst its partners.

While it covers the pivotal moments in Christian Aid’s history, Justice Song also includes the voices and personal stories of those who have both worked for and been impacted by the organisation’s work over the years.