Taxation and reparations – tools for promoting equity, climate justice and an economy of life
The side-event will be an opportunity to explore how taxation and reparations can contribute to “Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality,” the theme of the 2019 United Nations High-Level Political Forum on the Sustainable Development Goals (08-17 July 2019, New York). Rising inequality – often rooted in historical injustices – and runaway climate change are fuelling poverty, social disintegration and conflicts around the world.
Every year, the share of national income accruing to the wealthiest people in the world continues to grow while ordinary people struggle to make a living. The prevailing global tax system – through transfer pricing, the use of tax havens, among others – enables multinational corporations and affluent sectors of society to avoid or evade their tax responsibilities. The adverse impact on government revenues means less funds for essential social services and urgent climate action. The event will: offer faith-rooted and gender-just perspectives on taxation and reparations; share concrete proposals for corporate and wealth taxation as well as social and ecological reparations as important pathways to addressing SDG 10 (reduce inequality) and SDG 13 (take urgent action to combat climate change); and launch a global ecumenical campaign for tax justice and reparations.
When: 11 July 2019, 12h00-14h30
Where: Church Center at the United Nations - 777, United Nations Plaza, New York
(10th Floor Conference Room)
Main organisers:
World Council of Churches
World Communion of Reformed Churches
Council for World Mission
Provisional Programme
12:00-12:15 - Opening remarks and/or prayer
12:15-13:15 - Panel on taxation and reparations
Dr Manuel (Butch) Montes, South Centre
Rev Dr Suzanne Matale, Independent Commission for the Reform of International Corporate Taxation (ICRICT)
Prof Verene Shepherd, Centre for Reparation Research
Dr Iva Carruthers, Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference
13:15-13:45 - Plenary discussion
13:45-14:25 - Zacchaeus Campaign for Tax Justice and Reparations
Rev Dr Suzanne Matale, ICRICT
Mr Eric Phillips, Guyana Reparations Committee
Rev Philip Vinod Peacock, World Communion of Reformed Churches
Rev Dr Peter Cruchley, Council for World Mission
14:25-14:30 - Closing prayer
For registration and more information:
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