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indigenous women holding messages at COP27

Indigenous women gather for a rally at the United Nations climate change conference COP27, calling for justice and for Indigenous women's voices to be heard.

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“Multiple spheres of systemic alternatives are already present, from Indigenous ecological resilience and wisdom, radical democracy, economic democracy, culture and knowledge diversity, social justice, and well-being,” stated a communiqué issued by the group.

During their deliberations on the issues of life and livelihood that were important in the Indian as well as the global context, the group heard the voices of women, Dalits, Indigenous people, sexual minorities, and people living with disabilities.

“Climate change is causing extreme weather disasters, and biodiversity and pollution are making it harder for vulnerable people to live in a sustainable way,” noted the communiqué. “Poverty, hunger, and social inequality are at an all-time high, and a huge debt crisis puts countries at risk of losing their economic sovereignty. All of this calls for a shake-up in the global economic system that is fair and sustainable.”

“The vulnerability of the global systems has exposed the crisis as regards the unsustainability of the current development paradigms, which continues to perpetuate deadlyhoods rather than livelihoods, contrary to sustainability of the local economic and financial architecture.”

The group called “upon the G20 to reiterate its commitment to achieving an inclusive, gender-just, equitable global order in line with the Paris Climate Agreement, the 2030 Agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals, and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda.”

The meeting was brought together through the New International and Financial Architecture (NIFEA) process. NIFEA is a collaborative ecumenical effort of the World Communion of Reformed Churches, World Council of Churches, Lutheran World Federation, Methodist World Council, and Council for World Mission. It is supported by funds from Otto per Mille.

NIFEA Communiqué

WCC signs joint letter urging G20 leaders toward New International Financial and Economic Architecture

NIFEA Letter to the G20 in India from 9-10 September 2023 with the theme “One Earth, One Family, One Future.”

The New International Financial and Economic Architecture (NIFEA)

An Economy of Life for All Now: An Ecumenical Action Plan for a New International and Financial and Economic Architecture.