INTERRELIGIOUS MANIFESTO G8

We call for debt cancellation

As religious believers of many traditions, we assert

·         That the world and its resources are for the sustenance of all.

That the ownership of property does not override the right of others to nourishment, housing, health-care, and the opportunity to participate in society on an equitable basis. That those who own and administer the world’s goods have a primary responsibility to ensure the well-being, freedom, and participation of all. That a fair distribution of the world’s goods is a prerequisite for peace, mutual harmony and understanding among the world’s peoples, and a necessary requirement for the health of the planet.

We recognize the destruction that the international debt and the structural adjustment programs have wrought—destruction to economies, health and education systems, development programs, and to the earth’s ecosystems and resources.

We call on the G8 leaders who will assemble at Genoa to:

1.       Cancel the whole debt of impoverished countries, including debt to the World Bank and the IMF.

End structural adjustment programs. Establish procedures, which include the participation of civil society to identify illegitimate debt. Establish neutral, independent and transparent arbitration mechanisms and processes to deal with debt crises and illegitimate debt with fair and equitable representation of creditors, governments of indebted countries, and civil society. Establish a code of conduct for lenders to sovereign borrowers that ensures transparency and a fair apportioning of accountability, and places controls on the process of lending so as to avoid debt crises. The code of conduct should be worked out with the participation of both private and public creditors, representatives of governments, academics and other specialists, and representatives of civil society. Make trade and other international agreements benefit impoverished and vulnerable countries and enable them to escape from debt and participate equitably in the world economy.

The present economic system has escalated the gap between rich and poor and concentrated control over the world’s resources in the hands of a few. It has also destroyed much of the natural environment. Our times call for bold and courageous initiatives to create a new, just and equitable economy, which respects the dignity of every human being and of the natural world.

I am a member / We are members / collaborator of one of the Institutes / Organizations listed on this page.

I / We urge you to work for debt cancellation as stated in this Manifesto.

Signature……………………………..