February 2, 2005

The launch of an ecumenically-sponsored TV documentary on illegitimate debt and a call to take part in a Global Week of Action on Trade next April were among the highlights of a seminar on "Moving further on illegitimate debt" held during the fifth World Social Forum in Porto Alegre on 30 January 2005.

The TV documentary, called "The debt of the dictators," was produced by Norwegian journalist Erling Borgen. He investigated Argentina's, South Africa's, the Philippines' and the DR of Congo's debt burdens in 2004. The documentary was sponsored by the Lutheran World Federation and the World Council of Churches and will be available in English, Spanish, Portugese and French.

The Global Week of Action on Trade is an initiative promoted by the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance. Scheduled for 10-16 April, it seeks to raise awareness on the unjust trade agreements, indiscriminate liberalization and privatization that the rich and powerful impose on the poor, violating their rights to food, a decent livelihood, water, health, and education.

More information (in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese) on the Global Week of Action is available at: http://www.april2005.org/.

World Council of Churches