wfn.org | Lutheran world assembly acts on international debt, education, landmines

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LWF acts on international debt, education, landmines 
97-HK-E26-KW

Hong Kong, July 15 (lwi) The Ninth Assembly of the Lutheran World
Federation reaffirmed the LWF's call for a comprehensive global ban on the
production, use, trade and stockpiling of anti-personnel landmines during a
meeting here July 8-16.
   
 Delegates urged their member churches to request their governments to
support the establishment of an international norm of prohibition through
the "Ottawa Process  and to sign the international treaty to ban
anti-personnel landmines in Ottawa in December of this year.  The LWF is
made up of 122 member churches with more than 57 million members in 68
countries around the world.
      
 Recognizing the increase of poverty, the widening gap between rich
and poor nations, deteriorating environmental problems and continuing
violent conflicts especially in poor countries, delegates urged all member
churches, particularly in rich countries, to protest to their governments
against the decrease in the levels of Official Development Aid. They also
urged member churches to strengthen their own practical and symbolic acts
of solidarity with the poor and marginalized in all parts of the world.
They urged member churches to join the international campaign
"Jubilee 2000  and put pressure on their governments and international
institutions to reach the goal of liberation of the poorest countries from
debt and to find a just solution for the others.
       
Taking into account that the impossibility of access to proper
education is one of the decisive factors for the marginalization and
impoverishment of large sectors of the world's population, they encouraged
member churches to actively participate in the struggle against illiteracy
and urged the LWF to prioritize projects which aim to improve education and
training. Delegates also urged the LWF to continue and extend programs for
leadership training for young people.

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