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The NCC's observer at the recently concluded G8 Conference reports the meeting was a qualified success, but "there is still much left to do particularly in the area of more debt cancellation and in creating more fair and just trade policies for Africa.." Dave Randle, president of the Whale Center in Salt Lake City and a member of the steering committee of the NCC's "Let Justice Role," writes, "In the long run only trade policies rooted in justice will allow Africa to become more self-sustaining."
Rev. Dr David Randle’s report is below.
Prior to leaving for Live8 I was able to obtain both a proclamation from the Mayor of Salt Lake City in support of White Band Day. This became a model for cities across the nations. This past week this same mayor convened with Robert Redford a conference of mayors to address Global Warming. Most congregations have much more access to local Mayors than they do Washington. The utilization of local government systems to cooperate and bring the message to the media is an utilized tool for faith communities.
(See proclamation and video message of the Mayor at http://homepage.mac.com/globalhealing/Personal124.html )
Following the signing of the proclamation supporting White Band Day and in cooperation with the Utah United Religions, an event featuring a Catholic Priest from Uganda was organized and hosted at a United Methodist Church. I spoke on the One Campaign and provided a theological perspective re: poverty, Fr. Centurio shared the story of creating two schools for 819 orphans whose parents have died of HIV-AIDS, Forest Cuch a native american and head of the Utah Division of Indian Affairs spoke of the extreme poverty of indigenous people in Utah on both the reservations and the cities, and Ian Rhett who played at the NCCC USA Let Justice Roll event last Fall flew in from San Francisco to provide music. ( See http://homepage.mac.com/globalhealing/One/Personal126.html )
Prior to the trip, Jeffery Sachs office provided a very useful OPED piece that I was able to both use the basis for talking points as well as distribute to several of the aprox. 100 media and delegates from the One Campaign. (See http://homepage.mac.com/globalhealing/One/Personal129.html )
Before leaving for the trip, a press release was issued and used as an introduction to the press on the trip. (see http://homepage.mac.com/globalhealing/One/Personal128.html )
The Live8 concerts around the world attracted an estimated 2.6 million people of which and estimated one million were in Philadelphia. The concerts added another 37 million sign-ups to the One Campaign in addition to the 140 million already signed on. This provided much interest for both the political leaders and the media as we headed to the G8 Summit.
( See http://homepage.mac.com/globalhealing/One/Personal130.html )
We arrived in London on the 4th of July and were greeted at the gate by Bob Geldof. One of the hopeful comments came from Bob Geldof, organizer of Live8, on his observation that most Americans are unaware that the U.S. is not living up to its commitment to provide 0.7% of its GDP. Geldof stated that according to polls, most Americans believe that we are giving somewhere between 12 to 15 percent. Geldof pointed out that this is an opportunity to gain much more public support through education. It occurred to me that perhaps our Churches might be encouraged to contribute 0.7% of their revenue to assist in achieving the Millennium Development Goals, thus providing moral and ethical leadership for politicians to follow in our government. Many Denominations have projects already working in Africa and poor countries and some congregations have partnerships as well. For those who may not we have four Africa Projects on the Global Healing mainsite that congregations might choose to participate in. ( See http://www.globalhealing.net and then click on Africa Projects )
In a similar way Richard Branson that day made a point of the willingness of the business community to participate in global solutions for the poor and he was putting his money where his mouth was by flying 100 of us to London from NY and then creating a charter to fly to Scotland where he himself was aboard the plane. A United Methodist owner of a real estate company in Utah with 1100 agents has suggested that Realtors should begin to contribute 1% of their real estate commissions to help achieve the Millennium Goals. The NCCC USA might develop a program to encourage similar action with other businesses.
( See http://homepage.mac.com/globalhealing/One/Personal131.html )
The first day of the One Campaign Summit meetings in Scotland included a visit from Richard Curtis, film producer, and member of the Make Poverty History Campaign.
Click on link below to continue report
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