September 21, 2009

On the eve of the G20 summit in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (USA), World Council of Churches (WCC) president from North America, Rev. Dr Bernice Powell Jackson will join more than 25 Christian, Jewish and Islamic religious leaders from the United States at a 22-23 September Faith Leaders Summit to press for actions – not just words – that will help hungry and poor people lift themselves out of poverty.

"Our world is facing not just a financial crisis, but a moral crisis," said Powell Jackson, who is an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ (USA). "Shall we create a world based upon economically and ecologically sustainable principles which will result in abundance, dignity and security for all? That is the great moral question of our time."

Organized by Bread for the World, the Alliance to End Hunger, and other US-based organizations, the religious leaders will convene to press G20 leaders to fulfill their promises to help people who have suffered from the global economic recession.

During the week of the G20 summit, U.S. administration officials are expected to release details on a new initiative to reduce hunger and poverty around the world. Faith leaders gathered for the summit will voice their support for the initiative in a press conference on Wednesday, 23 September, at 9 a.m.

The Group of 20 (G20), established in 1999, brings together major industrialized and developing economies to discuss global economic issues.

WCC work on economic globalization: http://www.oikoumene.org/?id=3117.

World Council of Churches