New Coalition to Press G20 on Just Economic Policies

By Ethan Cole, Christian Post Reporter Tuesday, February 17, 2009

A broad new coalition of development agencies, environmental groups, and unions will turn up the pressure on world leaders to support only just, fair, and sustainable policies when it comes to fixing the global recession.

More than 50 organizations, including some faith-based groups, have come together for a planned demonstration for jobs, justice and climate in London on March 28, five days before the G20 summit. Under the banner "Put People First – March for Jobs, Justice and Climate," the coalition will demand jobs and public services for all, as well as an end to global poverty and inequality, and a green economy.

"World leaders must now work to ensure that failed systems are re-structured to fairly accommodate the poor in society," said Paul Cook, advocacy director for the ministry Tearfund.

"In a biting recession developing countries are hit even harder," he continued. "And we are getting the church involved because both locally and globally the church is responding as systems collapse, livelihoods are lost and climate change impacts the most vulnerable communities."

The rally will feature speakers and celebrities from the United Kingdom and around the world, according to Tearfund, a UK-based Christian relief and development agency.

Environmental groups that are part of the coalition are calling on world leaders to tackle climate change and the economy hand in hand by investing in green jobs and transforming countries into low carbon economies.

"Recession must not be an excuse for putting off action for global justice or to stop climate chaos," the coalition stated. "The only sustainable way to rebuild the global economy is to create a fair distribution of wealth that provides decent jobs and public services for all, ends global inequality and builds a low carbon future."