WCC NEWS: WCC signs letter to G20 leaders urging that we “recover together” and “recover stronger” from world’s intertwined crises

The World Council of Churches joined other global faith-based organizations in sending a letter to G20 leaders—a letter urging an economic system that looks after the wellbeing of all. A tractor stands parked on the Mount of Olives in the Augusta Victoria Hospital campus, East Jerusalem. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 07 November 2022 The G20 leaders will hold a summit in Bali, Indonesia on 15-16 November. “For churches, the fullness of life and all that contributes to it are essential to our faith and practice,” the letter notes. “Our faith perspectives and valuing of justice and peace demand that the poor and the dispossessed lie at the centre of our economic thinking and that our economic systems also work to serve their needs.” The letter discerns three interrelated, interconnected crises affecting the planet—a social crisis from rising inequalities, a climate catastrophe, and a broader economic crisis.  “In addition, today we are faced with an alarming food crisis, made worse by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, adding to a set of weather-related disasters,” the letter notes. “Drought and floods joined by rising international prices of food mean increasing malnutrition and starvation." The prevailing economic system has profited from the exploitation of people and the planet, the letter continues. “The model of growth that it is based on is harmful and unsustainable,” the text reads. “While we focus today on the immediate shortages of food, fuel and shelter, in the long run this planet and its people cannot maintain this present system of production and consumption.” The letter calls on G20 leaders to adopt new economic and wellbeing indicators, as well as stronger rules to curb financial speculation on food, energy, and other vital commodities, among many other proposals. “Ensuring healthcare provision, increasing access to education for all girls and women, and expanding support to struggling families and small farmers practicing natural land regeneration and agro-ecology are critical for protecting livelihoods and helping farmers cope with rising fuel prices and fertiliser shortages,” the letter also suggests. “We are all interdependent in God's whole creation.” The call for a New International Financial and Economic Architecture is a collaborative ecumenical effort that brings together the World Council of Churches, World Communion of Reformed Churches, Lutheran World Federation, World Methodist Council and Council for World Mission, together representing more than half a billion Christians across the world. Letter to G20 leaders from global faith-based organizations See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC acting general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, from the Orthodox Church in Romania.  Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland