wfn.org | Faith and Sustainable Development committee examines major paper

[PCUSA.NEWS@ecunet.org]

1-July-1996 
 
GA96024 
 
    Faith and Sustainable Development committee 
    examines major church policy paper 
 
ALBUQUERQUE--With the task of examining a major church policy paper for 
approval by the 208th General Assembly, the Faith and Sustainable 
Development committee began its work June 30 with an orientation for 
committee members and a discussion with task group members who developed 
the 69-page document 
 
    Titled  "Hope for a Global Future: Toward Just and Sustainable Human 
Development," the document examines the social, economic, and ecological 
effects of U.S. international economic policies on the world's poorest 
nations and recommends direction for reform. 
 
    The paper looks at such problems as over-consumption, over-population, 
poverty, pollution, and inequitable distribution of resources and explores 
how development can meet present needs without exhausting the resources 
needed by the future. It also emphasizes the Reformed notion of frugality 
and calls for "living in caring communities in a way that is less 
materialistic and more frugal." 
 
    "I know the [committee members] will find their work both interesting 
and compelling," said Florence  Johnson, Faith and Sustainable Development 
committee moderator and a Presbyterian elder of Pittsburgh Presbytery. "We 
look forward to our work together as we work for the betterment of our 
society and our world." 
 
    The denomination's Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP) 
appointed a task group to develop the paper in 1991. Since then, task group 
members have examined the social, economic, and ecological effects of 
America's international policies on the world's poorest nations and 
peoples. Additionally, the group has met on several occasions to evaluate 
these policies and propose appropriate directions for reform. 
 
    Other items being presented to the Assembly through ACSWP are a 
commendation to the 50th anniversary of the United Nations Children's Fund 
(UNICEF), a call to end the arms race, a resolution to eradicate poverty, 
the annual human rights update, theological ethics and political 
participation and monitoring of Taiwan. 
 
Julian Shipp 

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