Global week of action to challenge church views on markets
-31/03/05
Churches and church-related organizations around the world who are to lead events during a ‘Global Week of Action on Trade’, will raise important questions about the approach of a recent church report in the UK which appeared to endorse free market economics.
Campaigners taking part in the Global Week of Action on Trade which runs from 10-16 April 2005 are challenging the idea that free trade helps to reduce poverty and are calling for changes in international trade rules to safeguard the rights of all people.
However, a recent report from Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) was billed as ìthe most comprehensive endorsement of a market economy from any Church source in recent years”.
‘Prosperity with a Purpose’ suggested that poverty should be attacked using wealth creation through market economics.
It also claimed that whilst ìthe Christian social conscienceî in Britain and Ireland ìhas no single organized voiceî, their report ìcame closer to that voice than anything previously published.î
But actions that are being planned in over 70 countries, involving faith groups, churches and civil society organizations suggest that their report may not in fact represent the church’s feelings about free markets and free trade.
A petition calling for international trade policies that put human rights, the environment and economic justice first, will be presented to officials at the World Trade Organization in Geneva by a delegation representing the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance on 13 April.
The delegation, led by Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, general secretary of the World Council of Churches, will present the Trade for People petition signed by over 180 religious leaders and discuss with officials its main challenges to current international trade policies and practices.
National events will also focus on trade issues close to home.
Church-related events include ecumenical and interfaith worship services, trade tribunals, grain marches (where marchers carry grain to a symbolic location), demonstrations for peace and justice, educational seminars, “unjust” football matches, and letter-writing campaigns.