printReligieuze wereldleiders over de millenniumdoelen
De publicatie Act now for the Millennium Development Goals bevat visies van vooraanstaande leiders en geleerden van verschillende religies wereldwijd over de millenniumdoelen. Justitia et Pax ontwikkelde de publicatie in maart 2005 om de millenniumdoelen vanuit wereldperspectief onder de aandacht te brengen.
Download de Engelstalige uitgave (1,1 MB)
Download de Arabische uitgave (1,1 MB)
Michel Camdessus, voorzitter van de Semaines Sociales de France, schreef het voorwoord voor de uitgave:
"It has been my long and continuous experience over the last two decades of international service that in almost every context throughout the world, religious communities play a major role - even if at times discreet or even silent - in economic development. Poor communities throughout the world trust religious leaders to a greater degree than anyone else in positions of leadership or power. Religious organisations are closer to impoverished grass roots communities than any other networks. Religious leaders use their moral authority in the fight against poverty and injustice in all their dimensions. But there is more. It is now universally recognised that poverty is not only a matter of lack of income but also of the failure to achieve certain basic capabilities and forms of social inclusion, along with other social, economic, cultural, political and security problems mentioned
by poor people themselves.
As a matter of fact, the agenda for development will not be completed as long as human persons are deprived of access to spiritual fulfilment, not to mention hope and dignity. This is why religious communities suggest a focus going beyond the individual and emphasise the importance of the common good – of the development of the whole community. Some religions speak in terms of harmony, others of social justice but what they all point to is that if we fail to order our societies on the basis of the attributes commonly known as values or ‘virtues’, such as trust, solidarity, generosity, restraint and compassion, there will be no truly human development either for the rich or the poor. This suggests that development levels should be judged by the extent to which the last person is included.
An open and respectful exchange of ideas can make a significant contribution not only to achieving the Millennium Development Goals but also to incorporating them into a vision of development that could lead to greater well-being for everyone.
Based on the core beliefs and values of their faith, religious institutions can play a part in ensuring a more peaceful, harmonious, equitable and prosperous world for all. This can help many to understand that poverty and wealth are intertwined and no matter how many pragmatic programmes are put into action, unless the rich of this world are prepared to forgo some of their privileges, the Millennium Development Goals will never be achieved.
The Jubilee 2000 campaign for the cancellation of the debt of the most highly indebted poor countries showed how powerful religious
communities can be when they unite around a cause.
Development co-operation should not only be about money changing hands but also, andforemost, about ideas changing minds and eternal truths changing hearts. Suffice it to underline the importance of the role religious leaders and communities of the faithful have to play."
Het Japanse karakter voor 'vrede'.