News Archives » Economic Justice
‘Global Impact and Vulnerability Alert System’ Warns of Increased Poverty Ahead September 29th, 2009
The severity and pervasive character of the economic crisis continues to push millions into poverty, reversing some of the hard-won development gains of the past decade, according to a new United Nations report on the impact of the crisis.
The report – Voices of the Vulnerable: the Economic Crisis from the Ground Up – supplies a sobering picture of the crisis’ impact on people and households around the world. The key message of the report is that, while we may be seeing the “green shoots” of recovery, the economic crisis far from over for hundreds of millions of people around the globe.
The report and supporting materials are available online at:
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Civil Society Organizations Engage IMF on Governance Reform September 29th, 2009
On September 8, 2009, representatives from civil society organizations (CSOs) met with the IMF Executive Board in an informal seminar at Fund Headquarters to discuss CSO recommendations on IMF governance reform. New Rules for Global Finance is coordinating the consultations, known as the Fourth Pillar Process. The Missionary Oblates, an active member of New Rules, was represented at the meeting by Seamus Finn, OMI.
The IMF just published an article about the consultation which is available in English, French and Spanish:
Stand Up Against Poverty September 26th, 2009
Millions of people around the world will Stand Up and Take Action from October 16 to 18 to show their support for the fight against poverty and for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
This year a deepening financial crisis and a slowing global economy pose great challenges for development in general and for the MDGs in particular.
In 2007, 47 million people Stood Up. Last year, 116 million people Stood Up and Took Action.
Join them in 2009. For information and suggestions go to www.standagainstpoverty.org
Oblates Call on California Governor to Sign Law Recognizing a Human Right to Water September 23rd, 2009
Four Oblate priests in Los Angeles wrote Governor Schwarzenegger urging his support for AB 1242, the Human Right to Water Act of 2009. The priests minister to some 12,000 parishioners in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
The priests said “We believe that access to safe, affordable and clean water is a human right, and no one should be denied this right because of being poor.”
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Lift the Debt Burden on Poor Countries September 21st, 2009
Without debt relief, the developing world has little hope of economic progress, say the Rev. John Welch* and Ruth Messinger*.
The two members of Jubilee USA argue for debt cancellation in the poorest countries in a compelling article published in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette on the eve of the G-20, the international financial summit being hosted by President Obama.
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