Meet the speakers

Introducing just some of the inspiring people who took part in liveit! 

Dr Mike Edwards

Mike Edwards is CAFOD's Climate Change Programme Development Officer. He has a PhD in climate change and has worked in the environment fieldfor over 15 years. Most of his research has been on the links between climate change and conflict in small island states. 

Mike has had an unorthodox career. Before joining CAFOD, he was a professional didgeridoo player establishing himself as one of the world's top exponents of this Aboriginal instrument.  He has performed in concert halls and at festivals all over the world and has released four CDs to international acclaim.

At CAFOD, Mike works to raise awareness of the causes and consequences of climate change and supports partners who are trying to adapt to the impacts of climate change and climate variability.

Shirvanie Persaud and Niccollette Boatswain

Shirvanie and Niccollette are members of Rights of Children (ROC), a young people's organisation in Guyana, Latin America.  ROC members campaign on racial harmony, sexual violence and other issues of concern to young people in Guyana.

Shirvanie, 18, (right in picture) is Indo-Guyanese and a Hindu.  She is studying science and takes her  'A' levels next June. Shirvanie topped the Caribbean in CXC ('O' level) results in 2006.

Niccollette, 19, is Afro-Guyanese and a Christian.  She's in her first year at the University of Guyana. Niccollette won the Caribbean Debating Competition in 2005.

Shirvanie and Niccollette recently produced a documentary on the effects of flooding on young people in Guyana. They have also produced Public Service Announcements for national television on issues such as sexual violence, access for young people with disabilities and literacy.

ROC is also one of the organisations featured on CAFOD's award-winning DVD 'Louder than Words'.  See a clip at: www.cafod.org.uk/resources/secondary_schools/livesimply

Luke Turner

Luke Turner is a volunteer team member at the Diocese of Westminster's SPEC youth centre.

19-year-old Luke is originally from East London and has lived in Hertfordshire, Ely and Spalding. 

Luke loves rock music and is a keen drummer.

Stephanie Lynch

Stephanie Lynch, 18, from Liverpool is a passionate campaigner for social justice.   In 2006, she won a government competition to be nominated Climate Change Champion for the North West.

Stephanie travelled to Switzerland to study melting glaciers, and was motivated by glaciologist Professor. Heaberli (pictured with her) who said that 'this generation has the chance to change the course of human history'.

Stephanie has spoken to many groups and represented the Youth of the UK on a panel for HRH Prince Charles' 'Accounting for Sustainability' project.  She says, "I believe the younger generation has an important role to play as we are not just the voices for the future but the voices of today."

John Battle MP

John Battle is Member of Parliament for Leeds West. He is a member of the International Development and Northern Ireland Select Committees, and chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Groups on Poverty and on Overseas Development.

John Battle was the Prime Minister's Envoy to the Faith Communities for six years until June 2007, during which time he worked to increase dialogue and cooperation between the faith communities in Britain. He has previously been Minister of State at the Foreign Office and at the Department of Trade and Industry.

Before becoming an MP, he was National Coordinator for Church Action on Poverty from 1983.

Father Jim O'Keefe

Father Jim O'Keefe is parish priest at St Bede's and St Joseph's in the west end of Newcastle, where he has been for three and a half years.

Before that he was President of the seminary at Ushaw for seven years; previous roles included Administator of Catholic Care North East, the Diocesan agency for social welfare, and he was seconded to establish Caritas Social Action.

Father Jim wrote a guide to Catholic Social Teaching which was published by CAFOD. He has served on the Board of CAFOD since 1983, and currently chairs the livesimply coalition.

Father Chris Gorton

Father Chris Gorton is Parish Priest of Holy Saviour in Nelson, East Lancashire.

He studied music at Goldsmith's college and theology at Durham University, and trained as a teacher, specialising in secondary school RE and Special Needs.

Father Chris taught for a year and has worked as Education Co-ordinator at Castlerigg Manor, Lancaster Diocese Youth Centre.  He also spent four years as university chaplain at Manchester Metropolitan University and the Royal Northern College of Music.