wfn.org | Board okays resolutions opposing world

["Disciples Off. of Communication"<wshuffit@oc.disciples.org>]

debt and urging investment in poor countries
Date: April 23, 1999
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Clifford L. Willis
Email: CWillis@oc.disciples.org
on the Web: http://www.disciples.org

99b-28

	INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- Resolutions urging 
forgiveness of international debt for 
impoverished countries and investment in their 
economic enterprises were endorsed by the world 
ministry arms of the Christian Church (Disciples 
of Christ) and United Church of Christ.

	The Common Global Ministries Board, meeting here 
April 14-18, indicated its support for the 
Jubilee 2000 Debt Forgiveness Movement. The 
directorate also encouraged the Disciples and UCC 
world boards to submit similar resolutions to 
1999 meetings of their respective plenary 
bodies.

	"These resolutions give our congregations 
important global issues of which to be aware and 
to see how they impact the lives of our brothers 
and sisters around the world," said the Rev. 
Patricia Tucker Spier, president, Disciples 
Division of Overseas Ministries.

	The debt cancellation campaign was begun in 
1996. Its aim is to convince wealthy nations and 
lending institutions like the World Bank and 
International Monetary Fund to free poor 
countries from foreign debt. Campaign supporters 
say many of the enormous loans were incurred by 
corrupt government regimes. In addition, loan 
payments remove funds that support basic social 
services.  

	Congregations can receive an information packet 
about Jubilee 2000 by sending an electronic mail 
message to dom@disciples.org or seeing the 
website: www.globalministries.org.  

	The Just Peace Investment Initiative will help 
conferences, regions and congregations support 
micro-enterprise and community development 
projects in poor countries around the world. 

	The venture will help congregations think about 
the theological implications of global investment 
and empower recipients, enabling them to own 
their businesses. Congregations will make 
investments with assistance from Calvert Social 
Investing Foundation, which developed the 
initiative with the UCC Fellowship of 
Reconciliation.

	Two other items approved by the Common Board 
urged development of guidelines for 
church-related travel and tourism in poor 
countries and support for a global warming 
treaty.

	The guidelines are intended to challenge the 
travel and tourism industry, which is believed to 
engage in economic globalization, environmental 
degradation, and human exploitation of the people 
in operating the $3.5 trillion business.

	Directors are asking the Disciples General 
Assembly, meeting in October, and the UCC General 
Synod, meeting in July, to advocate U.S. support 
for the Kyoto Climate Change Treaty. Both 
denominations also are asked to help support 
legislation to regulate and reduce pollution in 
this country.

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