2015 Global Economic Justice Workshops

Economics of Exclusion: Imprisonment as a Tool of Exploitation

Saturday, Apr 18, 2015, 2:00 pm

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.

Speakers:

Fr. Valdir João Silveira, Head of Brazil’s National Prison Ministry Pastoral

Fr. Shay Cullen, SSC, Founder, PREDA Foundation, a Philippine human rights social development organization

Marlyn Capio-Richter, Social Worker, PREDA Foundation.

 

Harmful Trade Policies as a “Push Factor” for Migration

Saturday, Apr 18, 2015, 3:45 pm

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.

Speakers:

Celeste Drake, AFL-CIO

Stephanie Burgos, Oxfam

Miriam Miranda, Fraternal Black Organization of Honduras (OFRANEH)

Vultures Circling: Stopping Predatory Behavior Against the Poor

Saturday, Apr 18, 2015, 3:45 pm

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?

Speakers:

Andrew Hanauer, Jubilee USA

How a Renewed Focus on Women and Girls Can Serve as the Core of a Sustainable Development Model

Sunday, Apr 19, 2015, 2:00 pm

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.

Speakers:

Ann Scholz, SSND, PhD, Leadership Conference of Women Religious

Prof. Patricia Biermayr-Jenzano, PhD, Georgetown School of Foreign Service

Trading Away Creation: Putting Profits Before Creation in New Trade Agreements

Sunday, Apr 19, 2015, 2:00 pm

Coordinated workshop offering in Eco-Justice and Global Economic Justice issue areas

Right now trade officials from the United States are meeting behind closed doors with Asian-Pacific, Latin American, and European officials to negotiate two trade agreements that together make up 80 percent of the global economy. With corporations representing the majority of informal advisors, who ensures that the integrity of God’s Creation comes before corporate profits? Much is at stake in these trade agreements as decisions are made about opportunities and enforcement of illegal logging and fishing, food safety, and fracking. Decisions will also determine if investor rights come before land rights of indigenous and other ethnic minorities. In this interactive workshop we will also explore what our faith teaches us about caring for creation and economic equality and what we can do to ensure that all God’s Creation, including marginalized communities, benefit from trade agreements.

Speakers:

Andrew Linhardt, Sierra Club

Manuel Pérez-Rocha, Institute for Policy Studies

Contributing Sponsors & Partner Organizations