2015 Global Economic Justice Workshops

Globally, more than 10 million people are imprisoned. Historic patterns of discrimination perpetuate the incarceration of people on the margins of society – those who are impoverished, and members of racial and ethnic minorities. Rather than building an economy of inclusion, governments and elites prevent dissent and difference from being revealed in the everyday imagination. Come hear faith leaders from the Philippines and Brazil engaged in prison ministry share untold stories and realities from the people behind the walls.

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The Central American child migrant crisis on the U.S.-Mexico border is only the most recent migration crisis from harmful economic policies that generate income inequalities with our brothers and sisters around the world. Come learn how economic policies contribute to conditions such as violence and poverty, especially among ethnic minorities, and push people to migrate within their own countries and to neighboring countries, including the United States.

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This year’s landmark debt case between Argentina and a group of predatory “vulture funds” brought a critical issue to global prominence. These funds sue poor countries for old debts they buy cheap on the secondary market, often targeting money intended to fund health and education services in the global South. Vultures sued post-conflict Liberia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (2nd to last in UN development rankings) and sued Zambia for an amount roughly equivalent to the country’s health budget. The faith community is actively involved in this struggle. What’s next to stop vulture funds? How can people of faith get involved?

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This workshop will focus on the importance of investing in women and girls, with a special emphasis on the global south. Panelists will address the relationship between women and economics, labor, and climate change, among other issues. The significance of placing women and girls at the core of development will be explored by experts in theology and mission, the rural economy, sustainable development, and by those directly affected by said development.

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