wfn.org | Re: LWI 2008-067 New LWF Publication Explores the Spiritual and Moral Dimensions of Illegitimate Deb

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New LWF Publication Explores the Spiritual and Moral Dimensions
of Illegitimate Debt
LWF Documentation 53: "Not Just Numbers -  Examining the
Legitimacy of Foreign Debts"

GENEVA, 16 October 2008 (LWI) - An effective response to the
continuing global debt crisis is not merely about examining the
amounts a debtor country owes a lending state or institution,
rather it is about recognizing the mutual moral responsibility in
restoring people’s justice, dignity, hope and life. 

This dimension is the focus of a new publication of the Lutheran
World Federation (LWF) titled "Not Just Numbers - Examining the
Legitimacy of Foreign Debts," produced in October. It provides
insights from the LWF program on illegitimate debt, started in
2005 in Latin America, and invites reflection on new initiatives
related to the question of illegitimate debt, including recent
initiatives by the Governments of Ecuador and Norway. 

Produced in the LWF Documentation series (No. 53), the
publication offers contributions from authors from across the
globe who, elaborate among other foci, why churches, governments
and civil society must take concerted action against illegitimate
foreign debt. The presentations also offer biblical approaches as
well as a Lutheran theological dimension with regard to the debt
crisis, and give examples justifying the call for the
cancellation of sovereign debts that can be categorized as
illegitimate. 

In the foreword, LWF General Secretary Rev. Dr Ishmael Noko
points out that a debt relationship must be based upon
transparency, voluntary action, trust and mutuality between
lender and borrower. He argues against any unjust, corrupt or
oppressive arrangement as it becomes "deeply corrosive, not only
of the relationship but of each of the parties involved." When
such an agreement takes away the strength of one party, "it
undermines the moral strength of both," he adds.

He expresses the hope that the new publication, while offering
specific cases of action by churches and their partners in the
field of politics and academia, would also encourage others to
re-examine and reflect on debt from the perspective of justice
and legitimacy and to focus on both the moral and spiritual
dimensions of debt relationships.

"Not Just Numbers" is co-edited by Rev. Martin Junge, LWF
Department for Mission and Development and Mr Peter Prove,
International Affairs and Human Rights, in collaboration with Mr
Frederick Schlagenhaft, Office for Communication Services. The
112-page publication is also available in German under the title,
"Nicht nur Zahlen Kritische Fragen zur Legitimitaet von
Auslandsschulden." (398 words)

Pre-orders at USD 15 per copy can be placed with Lutheran
University Press at, www.lutheranupress.org/catalog/-p-95.html.
For further information please contact Ms Colette Muanda at,
cmu@lutheranworld.org, Tel: +41/22-791 63 70, Fax: +41/22-791 66
30.

>*        *          *

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as ecumenical and interfaith relations, theology, humanitarian
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of mission and development work. Its secretariat is located in
Geneva, Switzerland.)

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