By Dave Lord

THE EYES of the world were once again trained on Perthshire yesterday, almost two years after Gleneagles was host to the G8 Summit.

Some of the most influential figures returned to discuss progress made.

Among those participating was Kofi Annan, former secretary-general of the United Nations, Chancellor Gordon Brown, the Right Rev Alan McDonald, moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and Cardinal Keith O’Brien, leader of Scotland’s Roman Catholics.

International Development Secretary Hilary Benn and First Minister Jack McConnell joined them in addressing an invited audience of campaigners, charity workers and the media.

Messages from Sir Bob Geldof and U2 singer Bono were also presented to delegates.

Much was promised in July 2005, as the Make Poverty History campaign piled unprecedented pressure on the world’s most powerful leaders.

Several ground-breaking commitments were forged during the G8, on debt relief, aid for the poorest nations and fair trade.

However, delegates yesterday warned the pace of change thus far had been too gradual.

Although Mr Brown reinforced Britain’s commitment to help provide education for all the world’s children—saying it had already been backed up with £8 million of funding—there were precious other new pledges and Mr Annan was among those calling on the world’s richer nations to do more.

“We need to keep all the promises that were made in 2005,” he said. “Governments must be held to account by society. We must maintain pressure and remind governments they made promises which we all took seriously. We want those promises to be honoured.”

As well as focusing on aid for the world’s poorest, Mr Annan warned of the potentially catastrophic effects of climate change.

“There is an old African proverb that states the earth is not ours but that it is a treasure we hold in trust for our children and their children,” he said.

“A threat to one is a threat to all—we are all in the same boat. I would urge everyone to keep up the pressure on the powerful.”

Mr Brown appeared relaxed and confident as he spoke of Britain’s “firm commitment” to honouring pledges made at the G8 in 2005.

With his premiership surely just around the corner, he attempted to paint a picture of a trustworthy and committed leader.

“I will not relax my efforts to make poverty history,” Mr Brown said. “I will not halt or hesitate to ensure promises that have been made will be kept.”

Mr Brown talked of his experiences visiting some of the world’s poorest people in various African nations and claimed this only strengthened his desire to ensure a “fairer society” for all the world’s citizens.

He believes education is the key to progress. “Britain will lead a campaign to ensure every child in the world has the right to free education,” he said.

“We have already put up £8 million simply to make this possible. We believe there must be education for all, education beyond borders.”

As befits a chancellor, Mr Brown’s speech was heavily laden with figures and he also spoke of a £50 million programme to promote re-forestation and tackle climate change.

Both church leaders used their speeches to heap pressure on the UK government, both over the war in Iraq and the decision to fund the Trident programme.

“Many people are absolutely astonished that £25 billion can be found for new nuclear weapons,” Mr McDonald said. “Meanwhile £4.4 billion is spent on war in Iraq.

“We must make Trident history. Just think what almost £30 billion of aid could deliver in our poorest countries.”

Cardinal O’Brien agreed, saying, “We need trade, not Trident.

Urging governments across the globe to act now, transforming warm words into practical action, he added, “The world cannot wait much longer for change.”

Yesterday’s historic meeting ended with a tree-planting ceremony, reinforcing the UK’s commitment to a world- wide campaign aimed at planting one billion trees across the globe.