| Following is an introduction to a Social Justice Issue: Global Debt Relief. (David C. Duncombe, an inspirational person, is a complementary piece.) Links to web sites are included for *in-depth information, *analysis, *action ideas, *contacts, and *organizing initiatives. You are encouraged to use the links to take you to facets of this issue that speak to your heart, mind, and desire to unite your faith with action. |
Global Debt Relief
Continued Urgency for Debt Relief Movement Pushes Forward Action Alerts!
The 2011 U.N. report about The State of Food Insecurity in the World "highlights the differential impacts that the world food crisis of 2006-08 had on different countries, with the poorest being most affected." It also focuses on the 
"costs of food price volitility, as well as the dangers and opportunities presented by high food prices." This report is part of an ongoing series about global hunger issues, the underlying causes of malnutrition and hunger, and progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals.
The AIDS epidemic, particularly in Africa, compounds the hunger crisis. Figures show that approximately 70 percent of cases worldwide are in Africa. As AIDs increasingly becomes a woman's disease in sub-Saharan Africa, millions of children have been orphaned.
AIDS campaigners estimate that billions and billions of dollars are needed annually to curb the AIDS epidemic in Africa alone. At the came time, billions and billions of dollars flow out of Africa in debt service each year.
The Progress of Nations 2000 reports how children bear the burdens of poverty caused by debt: "Made virtually invisible by the deepest poverty, not registered at birth – and thus denied official acknowledgement of their name and nationality and the protection of their rights – they endure in profound obscurity." The report specifically refers to HIPC (Heavily Indebted Poor Countries) countries. UNICEF's report, The State of the World's Children: Children in an Urban World, "examines the situation of children growing up in urban settings and finds that denials of children's riights to survival, health, nutrition, education, and protection are widespread."
There continues to be international leadership of and worldwide support for ongoing efforts to cancel the debts of highly-indebted countries. Groups and individuals, once focused on Jubilee Year
2000 debt relief, evolved at the turn of the new millennium when total debt relief had not been achieved; they are challenging the policies of key players in the debt crisis -- the World Bank and the IMF. With the involvement of millions of ordinary people, Jubilee campaigns have taken important steps forward. Following are a few examples:
- October 2012, Jubilee USA announced a "golden vistory": 4 billion from IMF gold sales would benefit world's poorest
- June 2011, Jubilee USA and other groups "called for IMF to move away from a European coronation and towards an equal democratic government."
- October 2010, Jubilee USA raised the call for economic justice during a protest at the World Bank/IMF Annual Meetings and received broad media coverage
- July 2009, an extended campaign to win debt relief for Haiti pays off.
- In April 2008, the Jubilee Act (H.R. 2634) passed in the U.S. House of Representatives, thanks to the efforts of many thousands who lobby Congressional members -- via letters, phone calls, and office visits. Advocates include U2 Irish rocker Bono and the inspiring Pastor David Duncombe who led a ministry of prayer and fasting for this cause.
- April/May, 2005: organized a Global Connections Tour to further debt relief movement prior to upcoming G-8 meetings.
- The Heart of America Tour: Africa's Future and Ours in early December 2002 reached thousands of people across the heartland of the United States.
- Thousands have gathered/continue to participate World Social Forum events and push for debt relief to make another world possible.
With a global food crisis and rising fuel costs, a dramatic push for debt relief is needed. Actions include:
- Urge members of Congress to support responsibiliy at the IMF.
- Become a Jubilee Congregation.
- Urge President Obama to live up to his word and support the world's poor.
- Watch "Voices from the Global South." Support a debt audit in Zimbabwe.
- Stop the vulture culture.
- Use Jubilee USA Network resources.
- To learn more about social justice teachings, debt and trade, and related social conditions, from an African perspective -- visit the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection.
- Check out Blog the Debt!
- Educate yourself on the debt boomerang.
Gratitude to Jubilee USA Network
for information and use of their picture and graphic.
Modified January 30, 2013.