wfn.org | Interfaith statement urges global economic justice

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

Nov. 1, 2001        News media contact: Joretta Purdue7(202)
546-87227Washington     10-21-71B{509}

WASHINGTON (UMNS) - An interfaith statement of principles for international
trade and investment was formally presented to U.S. government officials
Nov. 1 by two delegations of religious leaders.

Jim Winkler, who heads the staff of the United Methodist Board of Church and
Society, was among the group that took the statement to Rep. Sander M.
Levin, D-Mich. Another delegation took the document to an undersecretary at
the U.S. Department of State.

The denomination's international social action and advocacy agency is among
several religious groups that helped prepare or have signed the statement.
Others include Quaker, Lutheran, Mennonite, Presbyterian, Brethren, United
Church of Christ and many Catholic organizations. 

Others, with which the United Methodist Church is affiliated, include the
National Council of Churches; Church World Service, the relief arm of the
NCC; Church Women United: Jubilee U.S.A., a group working to reduce the debt
of the most impoverished countries; and the Washington Office on Africa.

"These principles are not about opposing globalization," Winkler said,
explaining that they point forward toward justice. "Capitalism is an
economic system that is built on greed."

The premise so often cited, he observed, is that capitalism if left free
will create wealth for everyone, but actually capitalism concentrates wealth
in the hands of a few.

"It's frequently said the church has no expertise on economics and should
stay out of that area," Winkler said. "But, in fact, the economic system we
live under has no expertise in establishing ethical guidelines for
investment policies and practices without the input of the church."

He said the statement provides five important principles "that could lead
the whole world toward a just, sustainable and prosperous society."

James E. Hug, who heads the Center for Concern, a social justice
organization headquartered in Washington, said all of life belongs to God
and is meant to serve God. 

"The economy is not some kind of independent beast," he said. "It is a human
creation. We made it, and we can reshape it."  

He cited the statement's first principle, which calls for international
trade and investment systems to respect and support the dignity of the human
person, the integrity of creation and the common good for all humanity. The
second principle seeks systems that protect and serve the most vulnerable
people, and the third calls for open negotiation and decision-making that
includes meaningful participation by those affected.

"International trade and investment systems should respect the legitimate
role of government, in collaboration with civil society, to set policies
regarding the development and welfare of its people," according to the
fourth principle. The fifth calls for safeguarding the global commons and
respecting the right of local communities to protect and sustainably develop
their natural resources.

Catholic Bishop Thomas J. Gumbleton of Detroit said he expects the
interfaith statement to help ensure that globalization is managed in a way
that will bring justice. 

He observed that when President Bush had an audience with Pope John Paul II
some months ago, most of the media coverage related to conversation on stem
cell issues. But, before he addressed that subject, the pope talked to Bush
about a "fault line" between the rich and poor of the world and urged the
president to use his influence as the head of a powerful nation to work on
healing that breach.

The Rev. Wallace Kuroiwa, of the United Church of Christ Justice and Witness
Ministries, said that few have benefited so far and many have been harmed by
globalization.

"Globalization goes hand in hand with fragmentation," said Marcel Kitissou,
of the Africa Faith and Justice Network. At the same time, the global trend
has brought some good such as scientific technologies. He applauded the
parts of the statement that express concern about who makes decisions for
the people.

Kathy Thornton of NETWORK, a Catholic social justice lobby, praised the
document as being "rounded in faith" and "very bold in the face of the
current economic system." She noted that work for economic justice
domestically is intertwined with work for economic justice globally.

The full statement will be posted or linked to the Board of Church and
Society Web site at www.umc-gbcs.org. 

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