The Acts of Convention

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on National and International Concerns presented its Report #5 on Resolution A010 (Affirm “Call to Partnership”) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(A010)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 75th General Convention of The Episcopal Church receive and affirm “Call to Partnership,” the communiqué presented to the United Nations Summit on Sept. 13, 2005, by Anglican, Evangelical, Greek Orthodox, Lutheran, Reform, Roman Catholic, Seventh Day Adventist and United Methodist participants in the Consultation of Religious Leaders on Global Poverty; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church acknowledge the leadership of persons in poverty and local leaders in poor communities as equal partners and not simply recipients in the global effort to alleviate the crushing burden of extreme poverty; and be it further

Resolved, That the 75th General Convention urge our ecumenical and interfaith partners to affirm “Call to Partnership” and join The Episcopal Church in working across confessional lines and in partnership with governments and international organizations to address the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) with all available human and financial resources; and be it further

Resolved, That in receiving and affirming the communiqué, The Episcopal Church call upon governments to pursue the MDGs through:

1. significantly increased official development assistance to poor countries;
2. debt cancellation premised upon a country’s need for resources to meet the MDGs;
3. fair and open trade policies that allow developing countries to compete in international markets with rich countries;
4. policies designed to alleviate structural barriers and social injustices that exacerbate the effects of poverty in the developing world; and
5. policies that promote full accountability and transparency among developing countries for the use of resources derived through foreign aid while still allowing strategies for accountability and transparency to be dictated by developing countries themselves; and be it further

Resolved, That in receiving and affirming the communiqué, the General Convention affirm the work of the Church's officers, dioceses, congregations, baptized members, and Episcopal Relief and Development in undertaking and supporting partnerships for global development in impoverished countries and calls for the expansion of this work through:

1. increased support through time and financial resources for companion relationships with dioceses and congregations in the developing world;
2. a renewed commitment to the work of Episcopal Relief and Development and other faith-based organizations that are operating successful partnerships on behalf of those living in poverty around the world;
3. a commitment to regular prayer from all dioceses, congregations and baptized members for an end to global poverty in all its forms.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 75th General Convention of The Episcopal Church receive and affirm “Call to Partnership,” the communiqué presented to the United Nations Summit on Sept. 13, 2005, by Anglican, Evangelical, Greek Orthodox, Lutheran, Reform, Roman Catholic, Seventh Day Adventist and United Methodist participants in the Consultation of Religious Leaders on Global Poverty; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church acknowledge the leadership of persons in poverty and local leaders in poor communities as equal partners and not simply recipients in the global effort to alleviate the crushing burden of extreme poverty; and be it further

Resolved, That the 75th General Convention urge our ecumenical and interfaith partners to affirm “Call to Partnership” and join The Episcopal Church in working across confessional lines and in partnership with governments and international organizations to address pursue the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) with all available human and financial resources; and be it further

Resolved, That in receiving and affirming the communiqué, The Episcopal Church call upon governments to pursue the achievement of the MDGs through:

1. significantly increased official development assistance to poor countries;
2. debt cancellation premised upon a country’s need for resources to meet the MDGs;
3. fair and open trade policies that allow developing countries to compete in international markets with rich countries;
4. policies designed to alleviate structural barriers and social injustices that exacerbate the effects of poverty in the developing world; and
5. policies that promote full accountability and transparency among developing countries for the use of resources derived through foreign aid while still allowing strategies for accountability and transparency to be dictated by developing countries themselves; and be it further

Resolved, That in receiving and affirming the communiqué, the General Convention affirm the work of the Church's officers, dioceses, congregations, baptized members, and Episcopal Relief and Development in undertaking and supporting partnerships for global development in impoverished countries and calls for the expansion of this work through:

1. increased support through time and financial resources for companion relationships with dioceses and congregations in the developing world;
2. a renewed commitment to the work of Episcopal Relief and Development and other faith-based organizations that are operating successful partnerships on behalf of those living in poverty around the world;
3. a commitment to regular prayer from all dioceses, congregations and baptized members for an end to global poverty in all its forms.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #88)