This fall will be a critical time for ONE Lutherans to communicate to their Members of Congress and urge them to take action on behalf of people living in poverty and suffering from hunger and deadly disease throughout the world.

Oct. 17:  STAND UP and SPEAK OUT
On Oct. 17, the ELCA will join the Millennium Campaign to STAND UP and SPEAK OUT against global poverty. More than 23 million people in 87 countries, including 9,000 Lutherans in the U.S., took part in a similar action last year, earning a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest single coordinated mobilization in history. Organize your congregation and community to join millions around the world to STAND UP and SPEAK OUT against global poverty by advocating for meaningful reform of the U.S. Farm Bill.

Sept. 6 through Oct. 15: FAST for DEBT CANCELLATION
While organizing your congregation and community to STAND UP and SPEAK OUT, challenge them to take part in a ROLLING FAST for debt cancellation. The ELCA is joining Jubilee USA in promoting this international 40-day rolling fast, calling on world leaders and international financial institutions to cancel the debts of poor countries so that they can achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Sign up today as an individual, group or congregation for as many days as you are able and while fasting, urge your Members of Congress to support the 2007 Jubilee Act.

ELCA Policy Base

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

As a Lutheran, I urge you to co-sponsor H.R. 2634, the 2007 Jubilee Act.

Debt cancellation for the world's poorest countries is central to the fight against poverty and key to ensuring the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The Jubilee Act will expand the list of impoverished countries eligible for debt cancellation so that all countries that require debt relief in order to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015 are included. The Jubilee Act also requires that resources freed from debt cancellation are used for poverty-reduction programs, ensuring investment in the well-being of average citizens in countries that qualify for debt relief.

Debt cancellation works. By freeing critical resources that governments commit to investing in the well-being of their people, lives have been saved; children are able to attend school and millions now have access to clean water.

For example,

+ Burundi eliminated school fees in 2005, allowing an additional 300,000 children to enroll. + Zambia abolished fees for rural healthcare and hired 4,500 new teachers. + Tanzania built more than 31,000 new classrooms and increased net enrollment rose by almost 30 percent in 2003. + Uganda has provided clean water for more than 2.2 million citizens.

Please support H.R. 2634, the 2007 Jubilee Act. I look forward to hearing from you on this matter.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
September 06, 2007