The Words of the Balcomb Family
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The Words of the Balcomb Family |
London, UK - As representatives from the 20 largest national economies of the world meet in London on April 2, the Universal Peace Federation is offering a session on a "New Vision Amid the Economic Crisis" at a House of Commons Committee Room.
Finance ministers and central bank governors will attend this G-20 forum that promotes cooperation and consultation on matters pertaining to the international financial system. It was established in 1999. Collectively, the G-20 economies comprise 85 percent of global gross national product, 80 percent of world trade (including trade within the European Union) and two-thirds of the world's population.
NGO representatives and religious leaders will offer commentaries on the issues being considered at the G-20 forum to ensure that fairness and justice are remembered in their discussions of how to revive the global economy. The excessive greed that has led to financial and economic chaos can never provide the basis for stable and fair growth for the world as a whole. Supporting less developed nations to grow will enable them to be the partners for the future global expansion of trade and a more stable world economy.
Speakers such as Nick Dearden, President of the Jubilee Debt Campaign, will remind leaders of their previous commitments to help with debt reduction as well as discussing the principled changes the G-20 should embrace in order to bring about a more equitable, stable, and developed global community of nations.
Positive changes can emerge from the current crisis if spiritual values are applied, according to Christian, Muslim, and Hindu leaders who are scheduled to speak. The principle of loving one's neighbor applies to those who are half way around the world as well as to those who are next door. Civil society advocates will remind the world of the commitments to UN initiatives such as the Millennium Development Goals.
As hosts of the G-20 Summit, the UK has proposed an agenda that includes coordinating actions to revive the global economy, stimulate growth and employment, and reform the financial sector and international financial institutions. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon wrote to G-20 leaders: "As secretary-general of the United Nations, I write to you today with a strong concern that unless urgent and decisive action is taken to buffer the blows of the global downturn on the most vulnerable, the economic crisis may soon be compounded by an equally severe crisis of global instability."
For more information about UPF's April 2 forum on a "New Vision Amid the Economic Crisis," contact Robin Marsh, Secretary General of UPF-UK.