Sustainability and Economy of Life

Advocacy for sustainable communities, accompanying the struggles of communities impacted by economic and ecological injustice.

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Life-in-creation today is imperiled by economic and ecological injustice. People are suffering the consequences of a warming climate and an endangered ecosystem stemming from unsustainable production and consumption. As global wealth increases, the gap between the poor and wealthy grows.

The project, building on the historic work of the WCC for sustainable communities, accompanies the work of member churches and struggles of communities impacted by unjust trade and financial structures and ecological destruction, and lifts up and celebrates examples of eco-just approaches. We also advocate for urgent transformations in economic policies, institutions and systems as well as the implementation of a climate-just agreement.

An economic system based on over-consumption and greed has become firmly rooted in today’s world and it is high time to change this paradigm by working for a New International Financial and Economic Architecture. 

Building on the Sao Paolo Statement: International Financial Transformation for an Economy of Life, the initiative advocates for a global financial and economic system that links finance to the real economy; is founded on the principles of economic, social and climate justice; accounts for social and ecological tasks; and sets clear limits to greed.

Key policy calls are contained in the document Economy of Life for all Now: An Ecumenical Action Plan for a New International Financial and Economic Architecture which outlines actions for churches in tackling public finance and debt, regulation of the financial sector and global economic governance.

The New International Financial and Economic Architecture is an initiative of the WCC together with the World Communion of Reformed Churches, the World Methodist Council, Council of World Mission and the Lutheran World Federation. 

Resources
Ecumenical School for Governance, Economics and Management for an Economy of Life

In order to strengthen the voice of the churches with regards to global economics, a group of 20 current and future church leaders will attend the Ecumenical School on Governance, Economics and Management for an Economy of Life in Jakarta, Indonesia from 19-30 August 2019.

Presently churches’ ethical, moral and theological perspectives on the workings of the global economy have minimal impact on financial and economic policies, business practices and ways of thinking. To address this gap, the school aims to build economic literacy within churches by equipping participants with the tools and languages to effectively advocate for urgent transformations in the global financial and economic realm.

 

Learning objectives

The 10-day curriculum addresses the following objectives:

  • Identify theological starting points for economic justice (why and how theology and ethics are deeply related to economic life)
  • Provide a basic understanding of mainstream economic thinking
  • Identify, relativize and contextualize methodologies and normative fundamentals of economics
  • Widen the horizon of economics by introducing ecological, feminist and other pluralistic approaches
  • Develop an interdisciplinary structure for bridging theological dimensions with economics
  • Lay out the political and strategic implications for churches and their advocacy for an Economy of Life in the context of the Pilgrimage of Justice and Peace.

 

Nomination criteria

  • MA or BA preferably in theology, economics/finance/business management or any social science; or demonstration of competence in the aforementioned fields
  • Five years of leadership experience (except for youth until the age of 30)
  • Sound insights into practices of public policy and passion for justice (assessed through an essay)
  • Endorsement from a church or ecumenical organization

 

Among candidates who meet the nomination criteria, participants will be selected with a view to achieving regional, gender and denominational balance.

Participants are granted full scholarship, including flights, accommodation and full board. A minimum contribution of 100 US dollars is expected from each participant.

Application form and guidelines

Click to download:

The Application Form

The Guidelines

The Indicative Programme

Filled-out application forms and supporting documents should be sent to:

[email protected]

Further inquiries may be directed to 

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

Roadmap for an Economy of Life and Ecological Justice – A Tool for Congregations, Communities and Churches

“The way we interact with the economy and creation – not only as private persons, but also as congregations, communities and churches – is strongly connected with our faith convictions.”

The Roadmap is an invitation to congregations, communities and churches to discuss a 5-step programme to change the way we deal with the economy and our ecological surroundings in the following areas: living in accordance with the covenant with God and creation, renewable energy and climate protection, just and sustainable consumption, economies of life, and networking.

Download the Roadmap

 

Zacchaeus Campaign for Tax Justice and Reparations

Zacchaeus Campaign for Tax Justice and Reparations

The World Council of Churches (WCC) is supporting a new ecumenical campaign advocating for tax justice, called the Zacchaeus Project (#ZacTAX), that was launched on July 2019 at the United Nations in New York City.

The project is a part of the New International Financial and Economic Architecture initiative, a joint effort by the WCC, World Communion of Reformed Churches, Lutheran World Federation and Council for World Mission.

WCC supports Zacchaeus campaign for tax justice (WCC news release 12 July 2019)

 

Debt is life-killing

Poor countries are spending more on servicing debt payments than they are on lifesaving public services and responding to the climate emergency. For many of these countries, debt servicing is equivalent to half of combined food import bills and public health spending. In other words, obligations to repay existing sovereign debt are preventing governments from meeting people’s rights to health, education, livelihood, and other human rights.

At the same time, increasingly frequent climate disasters have led to greater loss and damage, pushing climate-vulnerable countries to take on even more debt in order to cope and fund reconstruction and recovery, and trapping them in a vicious cycle of indebtedness.

Jubilee calls for a structural reset

The biblical Jubilee vision offers a critical mandate for periodically overcoming structural injustice and poverty and for restoring right relationships. During the Jubilee year, there is to be release from debts and slavery and the restoration of all lands (Lev. 25).

The Jubilee vision remains and, in the context of global climate change, becomes even relevant today as it was thousands of years ago. The devastating consequences of climate change on poor countries and communities together with the growing concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a few call for a reset. The social and ecological costs of the debt crisis can no longer be ignored. Only when we have implemented the Jubilee mandate can we "rejoice in hope.”

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Turn debt into hope

The World Council of Churches (WCC) invites its member churches to join the Global Ecumenical Debt Jubilee Campaign, “Turn Debt into Hope”—a united call to address the urgent crises of debt injustice and climate inequality. Drawing inspiration from Romans 5:5, “Hope does not disappoint,” the campaign envisions a future built on justice, compassion, and sustainability.

In line with the ecumenical New International Financial and Economic Architecture (NIFEA) initiative, this campaign boldly connects debt cancellation with climate and ecological justice. Through partnerships with global organizations, including World Communion of Reformed Churches, Caritas Internationalis, Jubilee USA, and the Asia Pacific Movement on Debt and Development, the “Turn Debt into Hope” campaign amplifies the moral and ethical imperative to reform unjust financial systems for the good of people and the planet.

Key Campaign Goals

  1. Cancel and restructure unjust and unsustainable debt—immediately and without harmful economic policy conditions.
  2. Address the root causes of debt crises by reforming global financial systems to prioritize people and ecological wellbeing over profit.
  3. Establish a transparent and just debt framework under the United Nations to ensure fairness and accountability.

How You Can Get Involved

WCC member churches are encouraged to actively support the campaign by:

  1. Signing the Petition
    Join the call for debt cancellation by signing the petition on the official campaign webpage: https://turndebtintohope.caritas.org.
  2. Sharing the Campaign
    Promote the campaign materials across your websites, newsletters, and social media platforms to raise awareness.
  3. Contributing Biblio-theological Reflections, Prayers and other Liturgical Materials 
    Share reflections, prayers, and worship materials on the theme of Jubilee to inspire action for debt cancellation.
  4. Participating in Advocacy Events
    Engage in key advocacy activities planned for 2025, including:
    • IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings and the UN Financing for Development Forum (April, Washington DC and New York)
    • Bonn Pre-COP30 Climate Conference (June, Bonn)
    • International Conference on Financing for Development (June-July, Seville)
    • G20 Leaders’ Summit (November, Johannesburg)
    • UN Climate COP30 (November, Belem)

Take Action Today

As a global fellowship, we are called to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly (Micah 6:8). By joining the “Turn Debt into Hope” campaign, WCC member churches can advocate for justice, sustainability, and hope. Let us transform systems of oppression into pathways for renewal and equity, inspired by faith and united in love.

For more information on the campaign and sharing reflections and resources, please reach out to [email protected]