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Anjoulie Woodhead published African Catholic Bishops Urge G7 Action on Debt, Bank Reform and Aid to Navigate Africa Crises in Press 2023-05-11 15:53:56 -0400
African Catholic Bishops Urge G7 Action on Debt, Bank Reform and Aid to Navigate Africa Crises
Africa Faith Leaders Urge Passage of New York Taxpayers and International Debt Crises Protection Act (S4747, A2970)
African Catholic bishops, representing 23 countries, issued a statement to G7 leaders to take action on debt crises, development bank reform and greater aid for the continent hit by multiple crises. Finance ministers and central bank governors of the group meet this week, May 11th through 13th. Japan will host G7 ministers and presidents in Hiroshima on May 19th - 21st.
The bishops raised Pope Francis’ call for effective and reliable processes to alleviate unpayable debts and advocated that private creditors participate in debt relief.
“The G7 include the major debt issuance jurisdictions that need to coordinate domestic legal reforms to deter [private] creditor litigation against countries renegotiating debts,” said the bishops. “Prompt passage of the New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act will do that for the large share of debt issued in that jurisdiction, and offers a simple and effective model other G7 countries can follow.”
New York State law governs more than 52% of contracts held by private creditors. Legislation pending in the state legislature and introduced by Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assemblymember Patricia Fahy would bring private creditors into international debt reduction agreements.
To prevent future debt crises, the faith leaders asked for greater use of debt contracts that increase risk-sharing between the borrowers and creditors, in the context of all types of lending.
African bishops commented on proposals that could expand multilateral development bank lending, currently under consideration by the G20. Since last year, shareholders led by the US and other G7 countries led a request for the World Bank to “evolve” through changes in its mission, operations and finances.
“[W]e approach with caution the intention to add new missions when the old ones – primarily poverty reduction and human development – remain so far from being fulfilled,” added the faith leaders. “Without an extremely bold injection of resources, such additions can only come at the expense of existing poverty reduction and development priorities in the places where they are most pressing.”
They also called for more African participation in the decisions on World Bank future.
The high-level religious leaders referred to the issuance of $650 in emergency liquidity currency – Special Drawing Rights – in 2021. More than $400 billion SDRs went to developed countries and only $33 billion to Africa. The IMF has two lending facilities that can receive SDR contributions to finance loans to developing countries.
“It is. . . essential to rethink Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) as an instrument of finance, and rechannel a significant portion of those held by wealthy countries to Africa,” stated the bishops.
The African Development Bank put forward a proposal for advanced economies’ SDR contributions to fund lending in the region, which the G7 currently considers.
“Africa's religious leaders know poverty in Africa because they lead so many major social services across the continent to alleviate poverty,” said Eric LeCompte, Executive Director of Jubilee USA Network, which supports Africa's Catholic Bishops in their advocacy. "Africa's religious leaders are positioned to explain to the G7 the need to address Africa's multiple crises.”
Find the African Catholic Bishops' Statement to the G7 here.
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Anjoulie Woodhead published NY religious, labor and diaspora leaders panel discussion on the New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act in The Sovereign Debt Stability Act 2023-05-04 16:32:52 -0400
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Anjoulie Woodhead published Urgent Action Item: Urge Your Senator and Assemblymember - Pass S4747/A2970! in The Sovereign Debt Stability Act 2023-05-04 15:59:07 -0400
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Anjoulie Woodhead published New York Can Change the World, Back Advocates in Albany in Press 2023-05-03 11:33:52 -0400
New York Can Change the World, Back Advocates in Albany
Friend,
Since you live in New York, I write to ask for your help in passing the most significant debt relief measure in the last 25 years. Today is the 3rd day that religious leaders, unions and constituents from across New York are meeting with your New York Assemblymembers and Senators to pass the New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act (A2970, S4747).
Because New York is the world's financial capital, most of the world's private debt is governed by New York law. Our Jubilee legislation will win relief, help stop economic shocks and protect New York taxpayers, consumers and our pensions.
Please write your Senator and Assemblymember now and urge them to co-sponsor our Jubilee New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act (A2970, S4747). Tell your Senator and Assemblymember that all of New York's biggest unions and major religious groups, the United Nations and the world's most prominent development organizations want this legislation passed by June 1st. Tell your Senator and Assemblymember that the legislation will relieve the debts of countries dealing with the pandemic and food crises. Tell your Senator and Assemblymember the legislation immediately stops predatory vulture funds and that the legislation represents the most powerful and comprehensive solution to deal with global debt and the economic shocks that are faced in New York.
The bill, introduced by Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assemblymember Patricia Fahy, brings private creditors into debt relief deals at the same level as the US government, other governments and creditors. Because 60% of developing country debt is held by private creditors, this is crucial to lower the debt of developing countries. More than half of those private contracts are signed under New York law.
Those are countries the US trades with, so addressing debt crises quickly helps lower inflation. The bill also prevents the US contribution to debt relief deals, paid by taxpayers, from bailing out private creditors. As debt crises in developing countries shorten, the law supports pension investments that depend on their economies’ performance.
Today, advocates from all across the state gather in Albany for an Advocacy Day to ask their representatives to pass this critical legislation now. Call and add your voice to theirs.
Major unions, churches, development and environmental advocacy organizations, as well as global debt partners, support this legislation. Join them and help us move your representative in the New York State Assembly and Senate to get this legislation across the finish line by June 1st.
The United Nations Expert on Foreign Debt and Human Rights issued a letter to the entire New York State Legislature, underscoring how important the New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act is to the protection of human rights worldwide.
With your support, we can deliver on the Jubilee promise.
Gratefully,Aldo Caliari
Senior Director of Policy and Campaigns
Jubilee USA Network
[email protected]
www.jubileeusa.org/support-us
Jubilee USA Network
110 Maryland Ave. NE, Ste. 210 - Washington, DC 20002
(202) 783-3566 - [email protected]
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Anjoulie Woodhead published Act: 25 Year Promise, New York Governor Kathy Hochul in Press 2023-05-01 15:22:00 -0400
Act: 25 Year Promise, New York Governor Kathy Hochul
Friend,
No matter what country you call home, the State of New York as the world's financial capital impacts every town and country in the world - and no matter where we live - New York impacts our lives and livelihoods. In fact, Jubilee legislation that's moving in the New York Assembly and Senate can win hundreds of billions in global debt relief and pandemic aid, stop our economic shocks and inflation and reduce the price of eggs, flour, fuel and coffee that all countries face.
Please write New York Governor Kathy Hochul to pass and sign our Jubilee New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act (A2970, S4747). Tell the Governor that all of New York's biggest unions and major religious groups, the United Nations and the world's most prominent development organizations want this legislation passed by June 1st. Tell Hochul that the legislation will relieve the debts of countries dealing with the pandemic and food crises. Tell Hochul the legislation immediately stops predatory vulture funds and that the legislation represents the most powerful and comprehensive solution to deal with global debt and the shocks that we face in the United States, New York and Puerto Rico.
As you write the Governor, New York's largest religious bodies and unions are demanding passage of the legislation. All of the major global debt and development groups are calling for the legislation to move forward. Puerto Rico's Archbishop and major religious leaders want this legislation. AND - a hundred young people from Africa are inundating New York Senators and Assemblymembers to co-sponsor the legislation. This is on top of thousands of people in New York taking action and the largest Jubilee mobilization of our grassroots in every single region of New York. On May 2nd and 3rd, from across New York State, New Yorkers are descending on Albany to move our legislation.Read about the bill in Reuters and the New York Times here. Watch our video produced by our good friends from Jubilee Germany that explains how the New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act works. You can read the legislation, talking points and all materials on the legislation here.E-mail and call New York Governor Kathy Hochul and tell her to support the New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act to protect our long term investments, our pensions and poor communities. The debt relief that poor countries win will allow them to address climate change, get vaccinations and respond to the pandemic. As these countries get relief on regional scales - it can reduce the costs of food, fuel and commodities in the US. Plus this legislation can make good, legitimate investments even more profitable.
Hundreds of New York, national and global groups are supporting the legislation. Oxfam America is deploying team members and resources so we can get the legislation passed before June 1st.
Just some of the groups that wrote the legislature and Governor and support the legislation: The New York AFL-CIO; the New York State Catholic Conference and Catholic Bishops, the New York State Council of Churches; New York AFSCME; the New York State Public Employees Federation; Oxfam America; Bread for the World; the ONE Campaign; Puerto Rico's Speaker of the House; the Catholic Climate Covenant; The Hudson Mohawk Conference of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Upstate New York Synod; Presbyterian Church (USA); Rivers & Mountains GreenFaith Circle; the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, Jubilee USA Network, Jubilee Germany, Debt Justice UK, Afrodad, Eurodad, Latindadd and Jubilee Asia Pacific all are urging immediate passage of the New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act (S4747, A2970).
WOW - and On April 21st, the United Nations Expert on Foreign Debt and Human Rights issued a letter to the entire New York State Legislature, urging them to immediately pass the New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act (S4747, A2970).
60% of developing country debt is held by private creditors. New York law governs 52% of this global debt. Private creditors are not participating in debt relief for developing countries, even though the US government and G20 are demanding that vulture funds and commercial banks participate. New York and US taxpayer money bails out private creditors when private creditors refuse to offer the same level of debt relief that the US government offers.
Introduced by Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assemblymember Patricia Fahy, The New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act (S4747, A2970) ensures that private creditors participate in debt relief at the same level as the US Government, other governments and development banks. This will quickly cut and reduce unsustainable and unpayable debt so that developing countries can spend more money on essential public services, reducing poverty and address climate change.25 years ago we, together, embarked on a global journey to end poverty, address inequality and protect our planet. We work on debt, tax, trade, corruption and climate issues because these are the root causes of issues that deal with people and planet. After we won successive global agreements on debt relief, transparency and new forms of economic aid - we realized the global financial system was changing.
That's why we started organizing in New York in 2012 and were the only organization to defeat vulture funds twice when they tried to take advantage of most of the world's countries. In 2014 we started leading new New York campaigns on debt relief legislation. THEN the pandemic happened and we found that all of our previous work in New York was no longer relevant - because now all private sector companies started to follow the vulture funds.
So with the best and brightest sovereign debt and development lawyers in the world, we created a piece of New York legislation that is only one page. The New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act moves debt relief in every past, present and future process.
The pandemic changed our lives and world and we needed a new type of global legislation. Now the New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act will transform our world and fulfill the promise we made, together, 25 years ago.
Tell Governor Kathy Hochul as a Catholic and Christian who believes in the Church's call to live justly, that she must support the New York Taxpayer and International debt Crises Protection Act.
With your help, we can win the promise - the Jubilee Promise to address poverty, corruption and inequality and to protect our planet.
Gratefully,Eric LeCompte
Executive DirectorTwitter: @Eric_LeCompte
www.jubileeusa.org/support-us
Ps. Gifts to support Jubilee USA's efforts are doubled now. Please make a tax-deductible, matching gift to support Jubilee USA Network today.Jubilee USA Network
110 Maryland Ave. NE, Ste. 210 - Washington, DC 20002
(202) 783-3566 - [email protected]
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Anjoulie Woodhead published The United Methodist Church General Board of Church and Society Support Memorandum for The New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act in Organizational, Group and Individual Letters and Memos in Support of The New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act 2023-05-01 15:15:18 -0400
The United Methodist Church General Board of Church and Society Support Memorandum for The New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act
Download the United Methodist Church General Board of Church and Society support memorandum for The New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act as a PDF here.
Download the United Methodist Church General Board of Church and Society support memorandum for The New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act as a PDF here.
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Anjoulie Woodhead published United Church of Christ Support Memorandum for The New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act in Organizational, Group and Individual Letters and Memos in Support of The New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act 2023-05-01 14:58:50 -0400
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Anjoulie Woodhead published Urgent Action Item: Urge Governor Hochul - Enact S4747/A2970! in The Sovereign Debt Stability Act 2023-05-01 14:50:55 -0400
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Anjoulie Woodhead published UN Independent Expert on Foreign Debt and Human Rights Support Memorandum for The New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act in Organizational, Group and Individual Letters and Memos in Support of The New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act 2023-05-01 14:49:20 -0400
UN Independent Expert on Foreign Debt and Human Rights Support Memorandum for The New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act
Download the UN Independent Expert on Foreign Debt and Human Rights support memorandum for The New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act as a PDF here.
Download the UN Independent Expert on Foreign Debt and Human Rights support memorandum for The New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act as a PDF here.
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Anjoulie Woodhead published The Jesuit Justice and Ecology Network Africa (JENA) Support Memorandum for The New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act in Organizational, Group and Individual Letters and Memos in Support of The New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act 2023-04-26 10:26:58 -0400
The Jesuit Justice and Ecology Network Africa (JENA) Support Memorandum for The New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act
Download The Jesuit Justice and Ecology Network Africa (JENA) support memorandum for The New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act as a PDF here.
Download The Jesuit Justice and Ecology Network Africa (JENA) support memorandum for The New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act as a PDF here.
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Anjoulie Woodhead published New York State Council of Churches Support Memorandum for The New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act in Organizational, Group and Individual Letters and Memos in Support of The New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act 2023-04-24 18:15:19 -0400
New York State Council of Churches Support Memorandum for The New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act
Download the New York State Council of Churches support memorandum for The New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act as a PDF here.
Download the New York State Council of Churches support memorandum for The New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act as a PDF here.
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Anjoulie Woodhead published Rivers & Mountains GreenFaith Circle Support Memorandum for The New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act in Organizational, Group and Individual Letters and Memos in Support of The New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act 2023-04-24 18:04:23 -0400
Rivers & Mountains GreenFaith Circle Support Memorandum for The New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act
Download the Rivers & Mountains GreenFaith Circle support memorandum for The New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act as a PDF here.
Download the Rivers & Mountains GreenFaith Circle support memorandum for The New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act as a PDF here.
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Anjoulie Woodhead published Presbyterian Church (USA) Support Memorandum for The New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act in Organizational, Group and Individual Letters and Memos in Support of The New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act 2023-04-20 13:26:56 -0400
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Anjoulie Woodhead published Jubilee USA Statement on G20 Finance Ministers Meeting in Press 2023-04-14 11:45:40 -0400
Jubilee USA Statement on G20 Finance Ministers Meeting
G20 Finance Ministers Struggle With Economic Challenges and Global Debt
G20 finance ministers conclude their meetings during the Spring IMF and World Bank Meetings. The ministers focused on the pandemic, Ukraine war and inflation shocks to the global economy, debt vulnerabilities in developing countries, food insecurity and the climate crises.
Eric LeCompte, Executive Director of the religious development group Jubilee USA Network and a United Nations finance expert who has monitored G20 and IMF meetings since 2010, releases the following statement on the G20 finance ministers meeting:
"The G20 is focused on a growing global debt crisis.
"Multiple crises are taking a heavy toll on the global economy.
"In developing countries, we lost decades of development and we are dealing with growing crises on poverty, food and climate.
"The G20 is taking steps to increase lending from development banks.
"$4 trillion annually is what developing countries need and increasing lending capacity of development banks is a way to help secure the resources that countries need."
Join us for a Jubilee USA, IMF and World Bank Press Conference: Friday, April 14th, 2:00 PM, Community Park Outside of IMF, view advisory and online and in-person press registration. (More info and and registration here).
Read Jubilee USA's press release on IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva's curtain-raiser speech here.
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Anjoulie Woodhead published IMF Forecasts Lowest Growth in Decades as World Leaders Descend on Washington for Meetings in Press 2023-04-14 11:44:38 -0400
IMF Forecasts Lowest Growth in Decades as World Leaders Descend on Washington for Meetings
Debt Roundtable Meetings Attempt to Break Impasse on Debt Relief From China and Private Sector
The International Monetary Fund forecasted the lowest global growth in decades as world leaders attend IMF, World Bank, G7 and G20 meetings. The IMF flagship World Economic Outlook report expects growth to fall to 2.8% this year.
“The ongoing war and high inflation and interest rates are pushing countries into debt and food crises,” said Eric LeCompte, Executive Director of the religious development group Jubilee USA Network. LeCompte has monitored IMF and World Bank policies since 2010. “In the US and around the world more people are facing hunger because of intertwined global crises.”
High debt ratios in low- and middle-income countries as interest rates rise across the world are a concern that the report highlights. The report suggests that debt restructurings will play an important role in reducing debt.
“In the IMF's key report issued this week, they noted the need for there to be processes for debt relief that can deal with multiple countries,” shared LeCompte. "Current debt relief processes are failing to cut debt and get countries the aid they need."
As part of pandemic and financial crisis response, the G20 created a process called the Common Framework to facilitate debt restructuring for more than 70 developing countries. On Wednesday, a group of stakeholders representing the private sector and lending and borrowing countries, met in a forum called the Sovereign Debt Roundtable.
"The Sovereign Debt Roundtable is an attempt to overcome some challenges regarding participation from China and the private sector in current debt relief initiatives," noted LeCompte. "Legislation is moving in New York State, the world's financial center, that ensures the private sector participates in debt relief."
The New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act (S.4747, A.2970) allows developing countries to receive debt relief from the private sector. The legislation sponsored by Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assemblymember Patricia Fahy ensures the private sector participates in global debt relief agreements and promote global financial stability.
On Tuesday, the IMF released the Global Financial Stability report and found that rising geopolitical tensions increase risks in the financial system through loss of capital, impacts on the banking sector and less opportunities to cushion external shocks.“Based on IMF analysis, the shock of the Ukraine war is making other economic shocks worse,” added LeCompte. “The war in Ukraine means that the poorest countries have less capacity to face shocks and will suffer the most."
On Thursday, G20 Finance Ministers meet. On Saturday, the IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings conclude.
Read Jubilee USA's press release on IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva's curtain-raiser speech here.
Read more about the New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act here.
Join the Jubilee USA Friday, April 14th, 2:00 PM Community Park Press Conference outside the IMF with leader from the Africa Catholic Bishops, Bishop Charles Kasonde, Rev. Charles Chilufya S.J., Latindadd's Patricia Miranda, Athena Peralta of the World Council of Churches, the AFL-CIO's Policy Director Candace Archer and Jubilee's Eric LeCompte. More info and registration here.
Read the full World Economic Outlook Report here.
Read the full Global Financial Stability Report here.
Find Jubilee USA's April 14th interfaith vigil and press conference details here.
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Anjoulie Woodhead published Press Advisory: Jubilee USA Holds IMF/World Bank Meetings Vigil and Press Conference this Friday in Press 2023-04-13 16:35:41 -0400
Press Advisory: Jubilee USA Holds IMF/World Bank Meetings Vigil and Press Conference this Friday
Jubilee USA, IMF and World Bank Press Conference
Friday, April 14th, 2:00 PM(Press RSVP to receive Facebook live link and ask questions online)
Where:
Outside IMF and World Bank, Community Park 1824-1884 H St NW, Washington, DC 20006.
Schedule for Friday, April 14th:
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10:30 AM – 2:00 PM: Vigil
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2:00 PM: Press Conference
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Opening Prayer
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Bishop Charles Kasonde, Bishop of Solwezi, Zambia, President of Association of Episcopal Conferences of Eastern Africa (AMECEA)
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Bishop Charles Kasonde, Bishop of Solwezi, Zambia, President of Association of Episcopal Conferences of Eastern Africa (AMECEA)
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Speakers
- Rev. Charles Chilufya S.J., Executive Director, Jesuit Justice and Ecology Network Africa
- Patricia Miranda, Global Advocacy Director, LATINDADD
- Athena Peralta, Programme Executive for Economic and Ecological Justice, World Council of Churches
- Eric LeCompte, Executive Director, Jubilee USA
- Candace Archer, Policy Director, AFL-CIO
- Bishop Charles Kasonde, Bishop of Solwezi, Zambia, President of Association of Episcopal Conferences of Eastern Africa (AMECEA)
- Rev. Charles Chilufya S.J., Executive Director, Jesuit Justice and Ecology Network Africa
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Opening Prayer
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10:30 AM – 2:00 PM: Vigil
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Anjoulie Woodhead published Debt Justice UK Support Memorandum for The New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act in Organizational, Group and Individual Letters and Memos in Support of The New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act 2023-04-11 15:15:14 -0400
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Anjoulie Woodhead published Bread for the World Support Memorandum for The New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act in Organizational, Group and Individual Letters and Memos in Support of The New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act 2023-04-11 15:14:47 -0400
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Anjoulie Woodhead published The Hudson Mohawk Conference of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Upstate New York Synod Support Memorandum for the New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act in Organizational, Group and Individual Letters and Memos in Support of The New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act 2023-04-07 17:13:56 -0400
The Hudson Mohawk Conference of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Upstate New York Synod Support Memorandum for the New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act
Download The Hudson Mohawk Conference of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Upstate New York Synod support memorandum for The New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act as a PDF here.
Download The Hudson Mohawk Conference of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Upstate New York Synod support memorandum for The New York Taxpayer and International Debt Crises Protection Act as a PDF here.
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Anjoulie Woodhead published Global Growth Remains Low Amidst Debt Concerns, War and Inflation, Says IMF in Press 2023-04-06 10:16:50 -0400
Global Growth Remains Low Amidst Debt Concerns, War and Inflation, Says IMF
The challenges to the global economy and slow economic growth will continue this year, said IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. Delivering her traditional “curtain raiser” speech before the opening of the IMF and World Bank Spring meetings, she anticipated a 3% growth this year, below 3.4% last year.
“The IMF is reporting bad news for wealthy and poor countries,” said Eric LeCompte, Executive Director of the religious development group Jubilee USA Network. LeCompte monitored IMF policies for more than a decade. “The vulnerable are struggling with the pandemic, inflation and rising food prices.”
For the poorest countries, the IMF chief sees higher debt payments and lower demand for what they export. This could fuel further hunger and poverty increases.
Sixty percent of low-income countries and a quarter of emerging economies are at or near debt crises. Since February the IMF initiated, alongside the Indian Presidency of the G20 and the World Bank, a Global Sovereign Debt Roundtable to resolve disagreements that stall debt relief processes.
“While more countries face debt crises, we still don't have a fully functioning debt relief process,” noted LeCompte. "Developing countries need debt relief and access to more resources."
Georgieva called for donor countries to address funding shortfalls so the IMF maintains capacity to provide interest-free loans to the poorest members.
Watch the curtain-raiser speech here.