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In response to the huge Put People First rally in London on 28 March 2009, co-sponsored by Ekklesia, the think-tank's co-director Simon Barrow commented:

"If the global economy is to be remade in a way that puts human need rather than human greed first, politicians and bankers are going to have to listen more to ordinary people who are seeking to make a difference through workplaces, local communities, faith groups and civic organisations."

"In the current climate ground-up action has something special to offer. At the margins, and in less affluent sectors of Christianity, is a rich tradition of alternative economic practices. These include microfinance, local currencies, non-monetary trading schemes, fair trade, green energy, co-operative housing, credit unions, and socially based investment, pension and insurance schemes where money can be leant not for profit, but for the good of the recipient.

"In this way risk can be carried by communities rather than individuals, and vulnerabilities limited."