June 28, 2009
Written by J. Martin Bailey

The United Nations' chief policy officer told the board and friends of Wider Church Ministries that both he and the secretary general "saw fear in the eyes" of world leaders as they met recently on the economic crisis.

Robert Orr spoke at the Wider Church Ministries dinner during the 27th General Synod. He is convinced that the crisis must be seen not only as a problem of banking institutions in New York, London and other financial capitals, but as one that is affecting millions of people in rural and isolated areas as well. Believing that the problem "screams out for global solidarity," he predicted that normal responses on a country-by-country basis will only exacerbate the problem.

"This is a moment to seize," he said, "as a human family."

One model for him is the fight against malaria. "We have started to turn the corner because we are working on multiple fronts. By 2012 or 2015 malaria may be eradicated. We need to leverage that approach to other issues."

Another hopeful story is the way governments, NGOs and even commercial firms are beginning to work together on HIV-AIDS. "We have a long way to go on this global health problem," he said, "but we have made progress. And we can't solve HIV-AIDS without tackling other problems as well."

Orr is a member of a UCC congregation and is proud of the work of his denomination. He credits a religious organization with helping him see that the climate change is affecting all of creation.

Wider Church Ministries and its Disciple of Christ counterparts honored partners in five areas overseas during the dinner meeting.

United Church of Christ News Service