By JoAnne Wadsworth, Communications Consultant, G20 Interfaith Forum
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On October 1, 2024, the G20 Interfaith Forum, in collaboration with the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs at Georgetown University, hosted a webinar titled “Debt, Climate, and Tax.” This event was part of a series of five webinars leading up to the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, focusing on priority recommendations from the G20 Interfaith Forum to world leaders. The webinar brought together experts from various faith-based organizations to discuss the critical issues of debt, climate change, and taxation, as well as the role of religious communities in addressing these challenges. Speakers included Eric LeCompte (Jubilee USA), Dr. Mercy John (Christian Council of Nigeria), Amir Ahmed Manghali (East African Islamic Relief), and Rev. Charles Chilufya (Jesuit Conference of Africa and Madagascar), with Katherine Marshall (Vice President of the G20 Interfaith Forum Association) moderating the discussion.
The webinar opened with Katherine Marshall introducing the series and its focus on priority recommendations for the upcoming G20 Summit. She emphasized the importance of religious communities as central players in global issues.
Eric LeCompte, leader of Jubilee USA, set the stage by highlighting the significance of the Jubilee year and its relevance to current global challenges. He emphasized the need for debt relief, economic aid, and climate financing, echoing the words of the Pope stating:
Pope Francis has outlined three key objectives for the Jubilee year 2025 and beyond. First, he emphasizes the need for substantial economic aid to eradicate global poverty. Second, the Pope stresses that the Jubilee 2025 is inextricably linked to addressing the world’s climate crisis. Finally, he calls for creative economic solutions, including debt relief, to secure the trillions of dollars necessary for financing climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts. This approach underscores the interconnectedness of economic justice, poverty alleviation, and environmental stewardship in the Pope’s vision for global reform.
Dr. Mercy John from the Christian Council of Nigeria focused on the links between climate change and economic challenges. She emphasized the need for collective action and the role of religious leaders in addressing these issues:
Religious leaders have a crucial role to play in addressing climate change by utilizing the platforms they’ve been given. Whether they are imams, rabbis, priests, or other spiritual leaders, they have followers who look to them for guidance. These leaders can use their influence to help their congregations understand the importance of environmental stewardship. It’s not about doomsday predictions, but rather about coming together as a community to address this global challenge.
Amir Ahmed Manghali from Islamic Relief provided an Islamic perspective on humanitarian issues and debt relief. He highlighted the importance of compassion and the need for global cooperation:
As a humanitarian organization, we work closely with people at the grassroots level. We stay with them, work alongside them, and strive to understand their needs. When they are affected by any disaster, whether natural or man-made, we are there to support them. We place the Islamic concept of ‘ar-Rahman’ (the Most Compassionate) at the center of our interventions. If we don’t feel compassion for each other, we risk opening the door to brutality in our communities. Our approach is rooted in empathy and a deep commitment to the well-being of those we serve.
Rev. Charles Chilufya from the Jesuit Conference of Africa and Madagascar spoke about accountability and the need for transformative action. He emphasized that addressing poverty and debt is not charity but justice stating,
Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity, but an act of justice. As we stand on the precipice of what could be the most significant economic transformation in our history, we must be guided not by the echoes of colonial legacies, but by the chorus of our collective actions. We must put justice and equity at the heart of the matter.
Conclusion
The webinar concluded with calls to action for individuals and organizations to support debt relief, climate action, and tax justice. Speakers emphasized the unique role that faith communities can play in addressing these global challenges, from grassroots efforts to global policy advocacy.
Key points addressed during the discussion included:
- The need for a global bankruptcy process to address debt crises
- The importance of climate financing and addressing the “climate debt” owed by industrialized nations
- The role of taxation in raising funds for poverty alleviation and climate action
- The interconnectedness of debt, climate, and humanitarian issues
- The significance of the upcoming G20 meetings in Brazil and South Africa
As the world looks towards the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro and the subsequent summit in South Africa, this webinar highlighted the critical importance of renewed commitment to addressing debt, climate change, and tax justice. By bringing together diverse faith perspectives, the G20 Interfaith Forum is working to ensure that these vital issues remain at the forefront of global discussions and action plans.
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JoAnne Wadsworth is a Communications Consultant for the G20 Interfaith Forum Association and Editor of the Viewpoints Blog.