The Acts of Convention

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on National and International Concerns presented its Report #30 on Resolution A012 (Advocate for a Just Global Economy for International Trade) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution

(A012)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That all things in heaven and on earth belong to God alone, and that all worldly treasure is held in trust by the human hands of the greater glory of God; and be it further

Resolved, That the global economy exists for the sake of human beings, not human beings for the economy; and that all economic policy thus has moral dimensions and consequences for all human beings; and be it further

Resolved, That all economic life within communities, nations, and the global family should contribute to the wellbeing of all persons, serve the poor and the needy, and promote the dignity and rights of all human beings; and be it further

Resolved, That trade between nations forms a vital and significant component of the global economy and thus should exist within a framework that promotes the common good and serves all persons; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church urges governments to adopt trade policies that reflect the following principles:

(a) Respect for every human being’s right to life and to the basic necessities of life, as well as to fair participation in the global economy and the economy of their communities and nations, including: a right to work, to receive just wages and benefits, to experience decent and just working conditions, and to organize and join unions or other labor associations;

(b) Promotion of the principle of mutuality between all persons in the formation of trade rules and agreements, giving equal rights and voice to persons and institutions – governmental, commercial, labor, and civil society organizations – whether they live in developing or industrialized countries;

(c) Respect for local peoples and realities with an aim for trade to bring the fruits of one nation or people into the economic life of another without undermining the basic ability of local people to provide for their own economic wellbeing;

(d) Respect for the sanctity of all creation and the principle that human life exists, by God’s design, in oneness with the environment and the larger created order;

(e) Ensures that societies, including governments, meet their basic obligation to assure economic opportunity for all, meet basic human needs, and provide justice in economic life; and be it further

Resolved, That the 77th General Convention urges all Episcopalians to communicate these principles to their elected officials.

Committee Amendment

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That all things in heaven and on earth belong to God alone, and that all worldly treasure is held in trust by the human hands of to the greater glory of God; and be it further

Resolved, That the global economy exists for the sake of human beings, not human beings for the economy; and That all economic policy thus has moral dimensions and consequences for all human beings; and that global economies should be facilitated in consideration of the interconnectedness of all God's Creation; and be it further

Resolved, That all economic life within communities, nations, and the global family should contribute to the well-being of all persons, serve the poor and the needy , and promote the dignity and rights of all human beings; and be it further

Resolved, That trade between nations forms a vital and significant component of the global economy and thus should exist within a framework that promotes the common good and serves all persons; and be it further

Resolved, That Tthe Episcopal Church urges governments to evaluate and adopt trade policies that reflect prioritize the following principles:

(a) Respect for That every human being’s right to life and to the basic necessities of life, as well as to fair participation in the global economy and the economy of their communities and nations, including:a right to work, to receive just wages and benefits, to experience decent and just working conditions, and to organize and join unions or other labor associations;

(b) That safeguards or improvements should be sought regarding food security, health care, maternal and child health, humane working conditions, human rights, with particular attention to the right of Indigenous peoples; and prevention of environmental degradations.

(c) Promotion of the principle of That mutuality between all persons should be promoted in the formation of trade rules and agreements, giving equal rights and voice to persons and institutions – governmental, commercial, labor, and civil society organizations – whether they live be in developing or industrialized countries;

(d) Respect for local peoples and realities with an aim for trade to bring the fruits of one nation or people into the economic life of another without undermining the basic ability of local people to provide for their own economic wellbeing; That trade should respect and enrich rather than undermine local economies, cultures and peoples; and be it further

(d) Respect for the sanctity of all creation and the principle that human life exists, by God’s design, in oneness with the environment and the larger created order;

(e) Ensures that societies, including governments, meet their basic obligation to assure economic opportunity for all, meet basic human needs, and provide justice in economic life; and be it further

Resolved, That the 77th General Convention urges all the Office of Government Relations and Individual Episcopalians to communicate these principles to their elected officials.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #200)