Rich nations are the real beneficiaries of the "boom industry" of global corruption that is making the world's poor even poorer, says a hard-hitting new report from the United Church in Australia. It calls for an end to tax havens.

As Israel marks its 60th anniversary this May, for Israelis and Palestinians the conflict and the suffering continues, says Ben White. He believes that this landmark is an important opportunity for Christian leaders around the world to add their voices to a special call for a justice-based peace.

The UK wing of the global social investment initiative Oikocredit has teamed up with the Livesimply campaign to promote a shared vision for social justice. Oikocredit provides vital loans to creative but impoverished communities.

Faith groups throughout the USA observed the National Day of Human Trafficking Awareness on 11 January 2008, seeking also move beyond consciousness of the problem to collaborative actions towards ending exploitation.

The head of the Anglican Church in Wales, Dr Barry Morgan, says that the Easter Gospel means “joining in God’s recreation of the world”. In addition to global injustice and violence, he highlights the suffering of women and gay people in the church.

Easter calls all people – including those in the churches – to recognize the suffering they cause, and to seek a change of heart and direction, says Dr Rowan Williams in his Good Friday message.

Religious leaders, academics and public officials in Russia have expressed concern about the gap between rich and poor in Russia

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu of South Africa has urged the drug company, Novartis, to stop its court action against patent laws in India, which he says will harm the interests of the poorest and most vulnerable in society.