LETTER FROM THE ECUMENICAL MODERATOR
unjust debt
MURDOCH MACKENZIE
july 2001
Dear Friends,
This month we turn to the fourth mark of mission namely to seek to transform unjust structures of society. Some of us will remember going to Birmingham to encircle the leaders of the G8 nations at their summit meeting. On 21st of this month they are meeting again, this time in GENOA in Italy. If you would like to be at Genoa ring 01453 820075 for transport details or visit the website on www.dropthedebt.org. People from Milton Keynes are going and details are available from Sarah Jackson on 695882 or Martina Delaney on 378114. Martina would also be glad to hear from any individual or church wanting to take out membership in the local Jubilee Debt Campaign Group.
Of all the unjust structures of society, of which there are many, the stranglehold of unrepayable debt for 52 of the poorest countries in the world is surely one of the most cruel. Whilst about a dozen have received some substantial relief, six have received only a little, namely Bolivia, Tanzania, Burkina Faso, Benin, Mali and Zambia. Eight are waiting to receive debt relief, namely Guinea, Gambia, Malawi, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Togo, Chad and Cote d'Ivoire. Six have yet to be declared eligible, namely Kenya, Yemen, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Nepal and Haiti.
Jubilee 2000 has now been replaced by Jubilee Debt Campaign UK and 'Drop the Debt' is working towards the G8 Summit meeting in Genoa on 21st July. A Milton Keynes Group was launched on 30th April and is now hard at work campaigning. Viva Jubilee scarves are on sale from the Peace and Justice Centre 230611 or from Eric Allen 678567.
Drop the Debt is calling for the International Monetary Fund(IMF) and the World Bank to cancel 100% of the debt they are owed by the world's poorest countries. These institutions can afford to do this. While they refuse to do so, the poorest countries in the world will still pay more each year in debt repayments than they do currently on health care, as well as having to face the tragedy of HIV/AIDS. The world leaders who meet at the G8 summit in Genoa this July can instruct the IMF and the World Bank to deliver this debt cancellation. People power is the key. Debt campaigners on the streets of Birmingham and Cologne helped to win a promised cancellation of $100billion.
If you cannot get to Genoa cards are available to send to the Prime Minister, to the Italian Ambassador in London and to the Prime Minister of Italy in Rome. A phone call to Sarah Jackson or Martina Delaney will ensure that your church has plenty of the special cards available for this purpose. If we are to take the Fourth Mark of Mission seriously there is much we can do to break the chains of debt. In particular as churches and as individuals we can pray for the summit over the weekend of 21-22nd July. People's lives are at stake and there is a real sense that if we are not part of the solution we are part of the problem.
As we hopefully enter a new Mission Partnership in Milton Keynes let us show our solidarity with Christ as we share his solidarity with the poorest people on earth remembering that he said: ' In as much as you do it to one of the least of these, my sisters and brothers, you do it to me.'
Shalom and Salaam !
Murdoch MacKenzie
This month we turn to the fourth mark of mission namely to seek to transform unjust structures of society. Some of us will remember going to Birmingham to encircle the leaders of the G8 nations at their summit meeting. On 21st of this month they are meeting again, this time in GENOA in Italy. If you would like to be at Genoa ring 01453 820075 for transport details or visit the website on www.dropthedebt.org. People from Milton Keynes are going and details are available from Sarah Jackson on 695882 or Martina Delaney on 378114. Martina would also be glad to hear from any individual or church wanting to take out membership in the local Jubilee Debt Campaign Group.
Of all the unjust structures of society, of which there are many, the stranglehold of unrepayable debt for 52 of the poorest countries in the world is surely one of the most cruel. Whilst about a dozen have received some substantial relief, six have received only a little, namely Bolivia, Tanzania, Burkina Faso, Benin, Mali and Zambia. Eight are waiting to receive debt relief, namely Guinea, Gambia, Malawi, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Togo, Chad and Cote d'Ivoire. Six have yet to be declared eligible, namely Kenya, Yemen, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Nepal and Haiti.
Jubilee 2000 has now been replaced by Jubilee Debt Campaign UK and 'Drop the Debt' is working towards the G8 Summit meeting in Genoa on 21st July. A Milton Keynes Group was launched on 30th April and is now hard at work campaigning. Viva Jubilee scarves are on sale from the Peace and Justice Centre 230611 or from Eric Allen 678567.
Drop the Debt is calling for the International Monetary Fund(IMF) and the World Bank to cancel 100% of the debt they are owed by the world's poorest countries. These institutions can afford to do this. While they refuse to do so, the poorest countries in the world will still pay more each year in debt repayments than they do currently on health care, as well as having to face the tragedy of HIV/AIDS. The world leaders who meet at the G8 summit in Genoa this July can instruct the IMF and the World Bank to deliver this debt cancellation. People power is the key. Debt campaigners on the streets of Birmingham and Cologne helped to win a promised cancellation of $100billion.
If you cannot get to Genoa cards are available to send to the Prime Minister, to the Italian Ambassador in London and to the Prime Minister of Italy in Rome. A phone call to Sarah Jackson or Martina Delaney will ensure that your church has plenty of the special cards available for this purpose. If we are to take the Fourth Mark of Mission seriously there is much we can do to break the chains of debt. In particular as churches and as individuals we can pray for the summit over the weekend of 21-22nd July. People's lives are at stake and there is a real sense that if we are not part of the solution we are part of the problem.
As we hopefully enter a new Mission Partnership in Milton Keynes let us show our solidarity with Christ as we share his solidarity with the poorest people on earth remembering that he said: ' In as much as you do it to one of the least of these, my sisters and brothers, you do it to me.'
Shalom and Salaam !
Murdoch MacKenzie