Ask the Scholar
Document scope · 1 page
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory.
For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
55031628
label
Debt Relief: [Bread for the World - “Proclaim Jubilee! Break the Chains of Debt”]
core
doc
dtoType
document
citationUrl
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
55031628
sourceUrl
contentType
document
title
Debt Relief: [Bread for the World - “Proclaim Jubilee! Break the Chains of Debt”]
citationUrl
collections
Records of the First Lady's Office (Clinton Administration)
Melanne Verveer's Subject Files
imageCount
1
hasImages
yes
source
import
hasTranscription
no
Source extras
naId
55031628
levelOfDescription
fileUnit
otherTitles
2068127-20130534S-087-009-2022
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
document
mediaId
7b1d246420d31c9f
ocrText
file
Debt Relief
PROTOCOPY
PRESU VATION
PROCLAIM JUBILEE!
BREAK THE CHAINS OF DEBT
"Debt Relief for Poverty Reduction Act of 1999"
(The following summarizes a legislative proposal developed by the Jubilee 2000/USA Public Policy Committee)
Summary
Bilateral Debt Relief
Expands the number of eligible countries (to 45) by broadening the definition of a "heavily
indebted poor country."
Authorizes cancellation of debts owed the United States by poor countries for concessional loans
or credits given through US foreign assistance or agricultural development programs.
Authorizes at least a 90 percent reduction of debts owed the United States by poor countries as a
result of nonconcessional (market rate) loans, guarantees, or credits provided through US foreign
assistance, arms sales, commodity programs or export promotion underwriting.
Gives priority to countries which have demonstrated a sustained commitment to alleviate poverty
or have recently suffered a major natural disaster.
Excludes countries with excessive military spending, gross violations of human rights, blatant
drug trafficking or ethnic conflicts.
Requires countries to establish, through transparent and participatory processes, a Human
Development Fund whose resources will be dedicated to reducing the number of persons living in
poverty, expanding access of the poorest members of society to basic social services, including
education, health, clean water and sanitation, and preventing the degradation of the environment.
Improvement of Multilateral Debt Relief efforts
Asks the US government to work for the following changes in the HIPC initiative:
Provide debt relief faster: reduce the maximum waiting period before a country can receive
enhanced debt relief under HIPC from 6 to 3 years.
Require decisions about debt relief and the human development programs that result from debt
relief be made through transparent and participatory processes which include broad-based
consultation and monitoring with representatives from the country's civil society.
Reward countries that achieve a record of poverty alleviation or suffer a major natural disaster by
giving them greater debt relief more quickly than otherwise. And, not penalize countries
emerging from civil conflict because they lack an economic reform track record.
Include the same provision as in the bilateral section above for a Human Development Fund
dedicated to achieving the purposes set forth in an Action Plan for poverty alleviation.
Cost
Authorizes $250 million in bilateral debt relief over two years, and $700 million in contributions
to the HIPC Trust Fund for multilateral debt relief over three years.
Other Provisions
Asks the President of the United States and the Secretary of the Treasury to submit annual public
reports to Congress on their progress in both bilateral and multilateral debt relief.
Asks the President to work with multilateral creditors and other creditor countries to ensure
transparency and public participation in decisions on new loans, including terms and conditions.
1/21/99
Congressman David E. Bonior's Home Page: Democratic Whip
http://davidbonior.house.gov/news/press/011499_debt_relief.htm
Congressman
Democratic Whip
E. Benior DIVED
NEWS & VIEWS
House FLOOR
[ Speeches ] [ Press Statements ] [ Editorials ]
SCHEDULE
Congressman David E. Bonior (D-MI)
Daily Schedule
Released the Following Letter to President Clinton
Weekly Schedule
Monthly Galendar
Signed by 54 Members of Congress Concerning Central
Yearly Calender
American Debt Relief:
ABOUT DAVID
X MICHIGAN
One Hundred Sixth Congress
Gavid's Biography
U.S. House of Representatives
Michigan's 10th District
News & Views
January 14, 1999
Special Update
The Honorable William J. Clinton
SERVICES
President of the United States
a Constituent Services
The White House
Suggestion Box
Washington, DC 20500
Dear President Clinton:
The impact of Hurricane Mitch upon countries in Central
America, notably Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, and El
Salvador, has been enormous. Its devastating human impact
is clear: estimates are that over 3 million people in the region
have lost their homes and livelihoods. The impact on the
countries' productive capacity has been equally severe. All
four countries have suffered major damage to agriculture, a
primary generator of the foreign exchange these countries
require to survive in the global economy.
This massive destruction of productive capacity clearly calls
into question these countries' ability to rebuild and at the same
time service (and ultimately pay off) their international debts.
Even before the hurricane, their large debt service obligations
were discouraging foreign investment and diverting budgetary
allocations away from essential investments in health and
education. For these reasons, we welcomed your
Administration's initial move to grant Nicaragua and Honduras
a two-year moratorium on debt payments to the US
government and the subsequent agreement reached at the
Inter-American Development Bank last month.
Yet we must do still more to help Central Americans recover
from a natural disaster that, as many have noted, has set back
regional development prospects by two to five decades. We
are asking you to exert leadership in persuading the
international community to cancel these countries' debts and
thus speed their economic recovery.
1 of 3
01/21/99 10:17:10
Congressman David E. Bonior's Home Page: Democratic Whip
http://davidbonior.house.gov/news/press/011499_debt_relief.htm
It is the continuance of these tremendous debt loads
themselves, not just the interest payments owed on them, that
threatens the entire region's reconstruction effort. The debts
not only deter new foreign investment but also yield most
economic decision-making to the hands of international
creditors, undermining fragile democratic processes. The debt
overhang also prevented investments in basic emergency
preparedness that might have reduced the scale of
destruction wrought by Hurricane Mitch. While a payment
moratorium may provide temporary relief, these countries still
will be unable to service their debts after three years,
especially if they expect to make needed investments in
emergency preparedness and sustainable development.
We therefore urge you to act to cancel the current United
States bilateral debt of the countries most affected by
Hurricane Mitch. In addition, we urge you to work with other
G-7 nations to convene an emergency meeting of all
international creditors, including non-Paris Club creditors and
commercial banks, to agree on bilateral and multilateral debt
cancellation. This debt cancellation must not be conditioned
on the implementation of economic policies that increase
poverty or environmental damage. It is imperative that the
United States take a leadership role in developing a long-term
recovery strategy in the region.
Sincerely,
David E. Bonior
Neil Abercrombie
Robert E. Andrews
Xavier Becerra
Howard L. Berman
Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.
Robert A. Brady
Sherrod Brown
George E. Brown, Jr.
John Conyers, Jr.
Peter A. DeFazio
William D. Delahunt
Norman D. Dicks
Eliot L. Engel
Barney Frank
Martin Frost
Gene Green
Luis V. Gutierrez
Tony P. Hall
Maurice D. Hinchey
Rubén Hinojosa
Rush D. Holt
Amo Houghton
Sue W. Kelly
Dale E. Kildee
Carolyn C. Kilpatrick
Dennis J. Kucinich
Nick Lampson
2 of 3
01/21/99 10:17:20
Congressman David E. Bonior's Home Page: Democratic Whip
http://davidbonior.house.gov/news/press/011499_debt_relief.htm
Tom Lantos
Barbara Lee
John Lewis
James P. McGovern
Michael R. McNulty
George Miller
John Joseph Moakley
Constance A. Morella
Solomon P. Ortiz
Frank Pallone, Jr.
Bill Pascrell, Jr.
Donald M. Payne
Nancy Pelosi
David E. Price
Ciro D. Rodriguez
Carlos A. Romero-Barceló
Christopher Fortney José Ted G. E. Strickland Pete Thompson Serrano H. Stark
Smith
Bennie
John
F.
Tierney
Edolphus Towns
Robert A. Underwood
Lynn C. Woolsey
Albert Russell Wynn
-End-
[ Speeches ] [ Press Statements ] [ Editorials ]
3 of 3
01/21/99 10:17:23
How do you explain to a
Bread for the World
child that she doesn't
1999 Offering of Letters Kit
have enough to eat
because her country
Item
Quantity
Price
Total
can't pay its debts?
Offering of Letters kit
$7.00
$
Includes one poster and video
Offering bulletin insert:
U
npayable debt grips many of the world's poorest countries. A
English version
Single copy free*
$
billion people in these countries are bearing the brunt of a
Spanish version
Single copy free*
$
debt they did not accumulate, suffering in conditions that cannot be
Additional offering posters
$3.00
$
relieved until the debt is relieved.
Offering background paper
$1.00*
$
Because of flawed policies of creditors and shortsighted deci-
Additional copies of this flier
FREE
$ FREE
sions of government leaders (many of whom were never elected and
BFW membership brochures
FREE
$ FREE
are no longer in power), poor countries must use much of their
BFW: Who We Are and What We
scarce resources to pay for unending debt. After these payments are
Stand For, by David Beckmann
$3.00
$
made, little is left over for agricultural development, health care,
* Call for bulk order rate.
education and nutrition programs. Improvements introduced by devel-
Offering of Letters Kit, bulletin inserts, poster and background paper available February 1999.
opment programs lose some of their impact. In Africa, governments
Subtotal
$
are now transferring four times more to international creditors than
they spend on basic health and education.
Postage and Handling (orders $25.00 and under, add $3.
Orders $25.01 - $50.00, add $5. Orders over $50.00, add $7.
Debt relief is hunger relief. Countries burdened with heavy,
Overseas, add $4 surface, $10 air.)
unpayable debts will not be able to meet the basic needs of their
people.
Total enclosed
$
The Hebrew law called for a year of Jubilee every 50 years. People
Prices subject to change. Items available while supplies last. UPS cannot deliver to P.O. boxes. Please supply a street address for
who have lost their land or liberty because of heavy debts are to be freed
large orders.
from this burden. They get their land, and their livelihood, back.
Make checks payable to Bread for the World, ATTN: Publications Order, 1100 Wayne Avenue, Suite 1000, Silver Spring, MD
As the millennium approaches, a growing worldwide movement
20910. Phone: (301) 608-2400; Fax: (301) 608-2401; or E-mail: [email protected]
of people is calling for the elimination of debts of the world's poorest
Visit our web site at http://www.bread.org
countries. Religious leaders such as Archbishop Desmond Tutu and
Pope John Paul II are leading this call for debt relief.
Name
Bread for the World will focus on getting the U.S. Congress to
Street
help relieve the debt burden of the poorest countries, in a way that
City, State, ZIP
will channel the benefits to poor people in those countries.
Daytime Phone
Crushing debt is not only a burden for future generations. It is
affecting poor and vulnerable people's lives now.
Bread for the World
1100 Wayne Avenue, Suite 1000, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: (301) 608-2400 Fax: (301) 608-2401
Participate in Bread for the World's 1999 Offering of
E-mail: [email protected]
Letters, Proclaim Jubilee: Break the Chains of Debt.
What is an Offering
Who is Bread for the World?
of Letters?
C
elebrating 25 years of seeking justice, Bread for the World is a
Christian voice for ending hunger in the new century. A nonpar-
C
hurches of every denomination participate in Bread for the
tisan citizens' movement of 44,000 people of faith, including 2,000
World's annual Offering of Letters. People of faith write let-
Bread for the
churches, BFW members help hungry people by writing, calling and visit-
ters to Congress in support of hunger-fighting legislation. They often
ing our nation's decision-makers about legislation that addresses hunger
place these letters in the offering plate during church services,
World's
in our communities and around the world. This outpouring of concern
prayerfully offering them to God as a gift of citizenship. This action
helps advance justice for hungry people and wins hundreds of millions of
1999 Offering
teaches everyone in church that letters to Congress are a fit offering
dollars each year for anti-poverty efforts.
to God - that citizenship is an integral part of stewardship. Campus
of Letters
and other groups hold similar events.
The Offering of Letters enables individual Christians - many
who have never written to their members of Congress - to see their
concerns translated into policies that help hungry and poor people
improve their lives. Year after year, they generate mountains of
thoughtful mail to our nation's political leaders - and win significant
gains for hungry and poor people.
PROCLAIM
How Can My Church or
JUBILEE
Group Participate?
U
se the form inside to order an Offering of Letters kit. It
includes everything you need to organize an offering, includ-
Break
ing background and facts on the issue, tips for writing letters, bul-
letin inserts, suggestions for involving your church or group, a poster,
the
a short video and more.
Chains
Order your kit today. Involve your local church or group in this
of
exciting, effective approach to Christian stewardship. Put your faith
into action and celebrate the life-saving power of your citizenship by
D EH B T
writing a letter to Congress.
twenty-firth
CUC
Bread for the World
1100 Wayne Avenue
Suite 1000
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: (301) 608-2400
Fax: (301) 608-2401
E-mail: [email protected]
http://www.bread.org
Bread for the World
A Christian Citizens' Movement
Barbara Howell
Director of Government Relations
1100 Wayne Avenue, Suite 1000, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: (301) 608-2400
Fax: (301) 608-2401
E-mail: [email protected]
http://www.bread.org
03
1
DRATE
Contents
What is this Offering of Letters About?
Proclaim Jubilee: Break the Chains of Debt
6
Glossary
8
Debt and Hunger Facts
10
The Human Toll of Debt
11
Questions and Answers
12
Poor Countries in Debt: A Map
12
Country Profile Chart
14
How Can I Do an Offering of Letters?
Planning an Offering of Letters
16
Sample Presentation
17
Writing Letters to Members of Congress
18
Order Your Free Offering of Letters Media Kit
19
Debt Awareness Activities
20
Biblical Roots of Jubilee
21
Worship Aids
22
Bulletin Inserts (English and Spanish)
23
Resources
25
Clip Art
26
Order Form
27
DRAFT
2 1999 Offering of Letters
Message from Archbishop Desmond Tutu
W
e in Africa have many friends in the United States who have stood by us in the dark
days of oppression and injustice. Many of our brothers and sisters of faith under-
stand that Christianity is political or it is not Christianity.
Bread for the World is such a friend. For 25 years, Bread for the World has sought jus-
tice for vulnerable people, working to end hunger in Africa, in the United States and
around the world. Now, the voices of a movement 44,000 members strong will join in a
global movement of Jubilee.
Developing countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia stagger under the increasing
burden of international debt. In Tanzania, where 40 percent of the population dies before
age 35, the government spends nine times more on foreign debt payments than on health
care. Many who already struggle with hunger and poverty are further imprisoned by their
countries' crippling debt.
But there is a way out. The biblical principle of Jubilee reminds us that all belongs to
God. In the Jubilee year, debts are forgiven. Debtors make a new beginning. Countries
burdened by unpayable debt deserve a new beginning. Children deserve to be free from
malnutrition, to have basic health care, to have a chance at education. Their shoulders can-
not and should not carry their country's burdens of debt.
Bread for the World joins a new moral crusade that follows this biblical principle of
Jubilee. This year's Offering of Letters campaign will ask the U.S. Congress to help relieve
the debt burden of the poorest countries, ensuring that the benefits reach people in need in
those countries.
We need your support. We need your voice. So I ask you to Proclaim Jubilee: Break the
Chains of Debt!
The Most Reverend Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town, South Africa
Endorser, Jubilee 2000
DRAFT
Bread for the World's 1999 National Gathering
Seeking Justice. Ending Hunger.
DRAFT
Come to Washington, D.C. to Proclaim Jubilee! Bread for the World's National Gathering convenes June 19-22 for
study and praise through workshops, worship and special events. BFW members and others interested in ending
hunger will also celebrate Bread for the World's 25th anniversary. The gathering will culminate with a Proclaim
Jubilee Lobby Day on Capitol Hill, June 22. Plan to be part of this historic event. Contact the National Gathering staff
at (301) 608-2400 or by writing [email protected] via e-mail for more information.
June 19-22, 1999, Washington, DC
President: David Beckmann
Director of Communications: Lynora Williams
Editor: Kimberly Burge
Designer: Optima Design, Inc.
Contributors: Ray Almeida, Mark Barwick, Mai Bull, Danielle Goldstone, Sara Grusky, Francisco Heredia, Larry Hollar,
Barbara Howell, Margaret Cohen Lipton, Henry Maingi, Karla Manternach, Elena McCollim, Jim McDonald, Aimee
Moiso, Tom Murphy, Kathy Pomroy, Beverly Phillips, Michael Rubinstein, Stephanie Seidel, David Suley, James
Thomas, Joel Underwood, Tammy Walhof
Printer: EU Services
Photo Credits: Cover and title page, large: Photodisc; top: WFP/FAO/Bancun/Caracoiolo; middle: WFP/J. Bullard; bot-
tom: FAO /G. De Sabatino (also appears on page 5); Page 3: Jon Rou © Emory University; Page 6: FAO/F. Botts; Page 9:
B. P. Sharma/ USAID/NEPAL; Page 11: WFP/Packer; Page 13: Map Design Unit of The World Bank; Page 15: World
Bank; Page 17: FAO/F. Botts; Page 19: World Vision/L. Hornung; Page 20: LWF/WS; Page 21: FAO/C. Day; Page 22:
FAO/P. Johnson.
Special thanks to Jubilee 2000/USA and to Rick Steves and his travel education company, Europe Through the Back
Door. Steves and his customers made special contributions to cover the cost of this year's Offering of Letters kit.
Bread for the World is a member of Jubilee 2000/USA P.O. Box 29550, Washington, DC 20017; phone: (202) 783-3566.
DRAFT
What is this Offering of Letters About?
Bread for the World
members will join
a global movement to
enact the biblical
principle of Jubilee
and relieve the
enormous debt
burden of the world S
poorest countries.
JUBILEE
DRAFT
he pictures and stories of hurricane-devastated Hon-
T
Numerous other passages throughout the Bible assert the priority
duras and Nicaragua cannot be forgotten. More than
of basic human needs over debt obligations. The law of Moses does
10,000 lives lost. Bodies buried in mountains of mud
not allow creditors to take the cloak a debtor needs to keep warm or
towering over what remains of towns, of communities,
the millstone to make bread.
of people's lives. Bridges washed away, making islands out of cities.
It is equally wrong to insist that the world's neediest countries repay
Roads destroyed, bringing further isolation. Coffee and banana crops,
staggering debts at the cost of increased hunger, disease and illiteracy.
worth about $500 million, precious livelihoods in desperately poor coun-
Unpayable debt has a stranglehold on some of the most vulnerable peo-
tries, wiped out. Seventy percent of the year's grain harvest gone.
ple in the world's poorest nations. They are suffering because of bad
Fragile infrastructures and economies teeter on the brink of disas-
choices made by others - - past officials of their governments, and the
ter in developing countries as it is, making life more precarious without
countries and financial institutions who made the loans.
any safety nets. The tragedy in Central America demonstrated how
quickly progress can be reversed.
Heavily Indebted Poor Countries
As these poor countries struggle to begin again, each also faces
In 1996 the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
an on-going, human-caused disaster imposed by its creditors. Hon-
identified 40 countries in Africa, Latin America (including Honduras and
duras owes $4.5 billion in debt and pays $450 million each year in
Nicaragua) and Asia as heavily indebted poor countries (HIPCs). These
interest payments alone. In 1997, Nicaragua's spending on debt service
nations are home to nearly one-fifth of the world's population; 33 are
was 11 times its recurrent spending on primary health care, according
located in sub-Saharan Africa. Their citizens suffer from malnutrition
to Oxfam International.
and unacceptable levels of illiteracy. At the same time, governments
People in the United States reached out with compassion to Hurri-
are unable to provide adequate health care services and access to
cane Mitch's victims. Now thousands of people in this country and
affordable education.
around the world are also trying to stop the devastating effects of
The problem is not SO much the size of the debt as the huge share
unpayable debt in the world's poorest countries.
of a country's income it gobbles up. In sub-Saharan Africa, govern-
Jubilee: A Biblical Principle
ments owe foreign creditors an average of almost $400 for every man,
woman and child - more than most Africans make in an entire year.
In 1999, thousands of Bread for the World members and churches will
Debt repayments leave very little for much-needed poverty reduction
participate in a nationwide Offering of Letters, Proclaim Jubilee: Break
programs and spending.
the Chains of Debt. With this offering, BFW members will join a global
How did these countries find themselves in such a crisis?
movement to enact the biblical principle of Jubilee and relieve the
enormous debt burden of the world's poorest countries.
An Unpayable Burden
Proclaim Jubilee: Break the Chains of Debt will focus on getting the
In the early 1970s, Western banks were glutted with revenues from oil-
U.S. Congress to help reduce the debt burden of the poorest countries in
producing countries as oil prices rose. Both the banks and rich govern-
a way that will channel the benefits to poor people in those countries.
ments encouraged developing countries to borrow heavily. Some of these
The Hebrew scriptures teach us how to proclaim Jubilee. The book
loans were wasted on schemes that did not work or bloated "white ele-
of Leviticus calls for a year of Jubilee every 50 years. People who have
phant" projects, often designed by aid agencies and involving huge con-
lost their land or liberty because of heavy debts are to be freed from
tracts for foreign firms. Some borrowed money was pocketed by corrupt
this burden. They get their land, and their livelihood, back.
officials. Foreign loans also financed some countries' military buildup.
Bread for the World 7
Glossary
When a global recession hit in the late 1970s, demand for exports
dropped, and prices for agriculture and minerals plunged. Countries
Bilateral debt - Debt owed by one government to another.
had to borrow more money, but interest rates were at an all-time high.
Essentially, these debtor countries were going bankrupt. But there is
Debt relief - Measures to reduce the debt owed by developing
no legal proceeding for a nation to declare bankruptcy as individuals can:FT
country governments to either private lenders (commercial banks
At this point, the World Bank and the IMF stepped in with new
like Citibank), governments (like the United States or Germany), or
loans to help these countries pay their interest. In offering this help,
international financial institutions (like the World Bank or IMF).
however, these institutions required countries to abide by strict eco-
Debt service - Amount of money a country owes to all its cred-
nomic policies, called structural adjustment programs (SAPs).
itors each year for the interest and principal on its debts.
These reform programs are meant to help countries develop sound
Commercial creditors - Banks and other private lenders to
economies. The resulting cutbacks in real wages and social services
national governments. In the 1970s, the debt crisis emerged pri-
have been brutal for millions of poor people, however. The borrowing
marily because of debt owed to these creditors. However, very little
government may be required to eliminate subsidies on food or fertilizer,
of the current debt of heavily indebted poor countries is owed to
or sell inefficient government-owned companies to the private sector.
private lenders.
Such changes are disruptive and add hardship, at least in the short run.
The long-term results, too, have not always been as beneficial as
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) The value of all goods and
expected. In 1986, the World Bank predicted that by 1995 sub-Saharan
services produced within a nation during a specified period, usu-
Africa would owe only $29 billion. In fact, by 1995, Africa owed seven
ally a year.
times that much! After more than 8,000 debt renegotiations since
Gross National Product (GNP) - The value of all goods and
1980, sub-Saharan Africa's total debt has nearly tripled from the origi-
services produced by a country's citizens, wherever they are
nal amount of the debt.
located.
Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPCs) A group of 40
Debt Relief is Hunger Relief
countries considered by the World Bank and IMF to have unpayable
The debt payments carry a human toll. Sub-Saharan Africa spends $13
debt burdens; specifically, GNP per capita of $695 or less, with a
billion on debt payments annually. According to UNICEF, an investment
debt burden that is more than twice the country's annual exports.
of $9 billion in social development projects would save the lives of 21
International financial institutions (IFis) International agencies
million people by the year 2000, most of them children.
intended to promote the development and stability of the world's
A Tanzanian Evangelical Lutheran Church official wrote to Bread for
economies by providing conditional loans to national governments.
the World Institute: "Our government spends 35 percent of her revenue
The World Bank and the IMF are the largest and most well-known of
to pay external debts while schools have no desks and children die of
these institutions.
malnutrition."
International Monetary Fund (IMF) - An intergovernmental
Debt relief is hunger relief. Countries strained by heavy, unpayable
organization that makes loans to countries with short-term foreign
debts will not be able to meet the basic needs of their people.
exchange and monetary problems. These loans are conditioned
Unwieldy debt payments contribute to the cycle of dependency on for-
upon the borrowing country's willingness to adopt IMF-approved
eign agencies instead of building a country's foundation for greater
economic policies.
self-sufficiency. Wealthy creditor nations can and should do more for
countries facing this burden.
Multilateral debt - Debt owed to intergovernmental financial
As the millennium approaches, people around the world recognize
organizations, such as the World Bank and the IMF.
that now is the time to proclaim Jubilee. Bread for the World's Offering
Rescheduling of debt- The agreed change in the terms of a
of Letters is part of a global mobilization of faith communities, called
loan that allows a country to reduce its debt payments.
Jubilee 2000, seeking debt relief for the world's poorest countries.
Structural adjustment programs (SAPs) Economic policies
Religious leaders have spoken out passionately about this issue.
required by the World Bank and the IMF as a condition for their loans
Pope John Paul II hopes that the Great Jubilee of the year 2000 will be
and meant to bring what a country spends internationally into line
an occasion to definitively address the debt burdens of the poorest
with what it earns.
countries. Many U.S. denominations have already issued calls support-
World Bank - The world's largest intergovernmental develop-
ing debt relief.
ment finance organization that provides long-term loans, primari-
The movement is attracting exceptional grassroots support. At a
ly to the governments of developing nations to assist in their
1998 Birmingham, England, meeting of world leaders, 60,000 Jubilee
development.
supporters formed a "human chain" seven miles long around the sum-
mit site to symbolize the chains of debt strangling poor countries. Sev-
eral countries have since taken action to cancel debts owed to them.
8 1999 Offering of Letters
In sub-Saharan
governments owe
foreign creditors
an average of almost
$400 for every man,
woman and child -
more than most Africans
make in an entire year.
The proposed Jubilee legislation would substantially reduce the
low-income, highly-indebted countries owe these institutions. At the
debt that 30 very poor countries owe to the United States. Debt relief
same time, the World Bank took steps to increase democratic partici-
will be targeted to benefit hungry and poor people. The legislation
pation in projects it funds.
would also help fund the cancellation of debt owed to the World Bank,
Legislative victories are usually hard won. In 1998, Bread for the
IMF and other international organizations. The United States would
World's Offering of Letters, Africa: Seeds of Hope, faced a long, uphill
insist that this relief also go to countries that are working to overcome
battle when the campaign began in January. Thousands of letters from
poverty, and that the World Bank and IMF do more to promote local
BFW members to Capitol Hill helped the bill come to be seen as a
democratic debate about the economic policies they support.
viable vehicle for African development. The Africa: Seeds of Hope Act
passed as a free-standing bill in the very last hours of the 105th Con-
BFW Victories for Hungry People
gress. When President Clinton signed it into law, he said, "This Act,
Bread for the World has pursued debt relief for poor countries for many
which passed the Congress with broad bipartisan support, reaffirms
years. Through grassroots and staff lobbying, Bread for the World
the importance of helping Africans generate the food and income nec-
helped persuade the U.S. Congress to adopt legislation in 1989 and
essary to feed themselves."
1990 authorizing the limited cancellation of some debts -$2.3 billion in
Now BFW members and supporters have the opportunity to help
poor country debt owed to the United States.
free vulnerable people from the burden of unpayable debt, and the
In 1997, Bread for the World worked with the development group
scourge of hunger that results. Join with thousands of people in the
Oxfam America and others to help win agreement that the World Bank
United States and around the world. Proclaim Jubilee: Break the
and the IMF would, for the first time ever, pay off some of the debt that
Chains of Debt!
Bread for the World 9
Debt and Hunger Facts
In Africa, governments are now paying four times more to
DRAFT
In developing countries, one child in 10 dies before age 5.
international creditors than they spend on education,
The majority of these deaths are hunger-related, totaling 6
health and nutrition.
million every year.
(United Nations Development Program)
(UNICEF,
The share of debt per man, woman and child in poor,
The Heavily Indebted Poor Countries owe a total of $6.8
severely indebted countries exceeds the annual income
billion to the U.S.
per person. In Guyana, the per person annual income is
$829, while the accumulated foreign debt calculated per
(United States General Accounting Office)
person is $2,278.
Compare this amount to:
(Washington Post, Nov. 21, 1998)
the cost of three B-2 Stealth Bombers, of which
the U.S. has 21 - $6.6 billion
For every dollar received in aid in 1996, Africa spent $1.31
(Council for a Livable World Education Fund,
in debt service.
the amount spent to date on the savings and loan
(Rainbow Coalition,
bailout - $165 billion
(New York Times, Nov. 22, 1998)
In Mozambique one of four children dies before age 5, yet
the government spends four times as much money on debt
The debt owed by the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries
service as it does on health care.
between 1983-85 averaged $122 billion. Despite some debt
(Oxfam International,
relief efforts by the International Monetary Fund and the
World Bank, the debt owed between 1993-95 had
increased to an average of $221 billion.
(United States General Accounting Office)
In 1997 - before Hurricane Mitch - more than one-half of
all government revenue in Nicaragua was spent on debt
Debt Owed to U.S. by Region
servicing. Even with this level of payment, which is more
than twice the combined health and education budget of
the country, Nicaragua consistently failed to make debt
payments in full.
(Oxfam International,
Africa
90%
The cost of providing basic health care and nutrition for
all people in developing countries could be achieved by
spending an additional $13 billion annually, which is $4
billion less than what Americans and Europeans spend on
pet food.
Latin
(United Nations Development Program)
Asia &
America &
Middle East
Caribbean
6%
4%
Eighty-seven developing countries do not produce enough
food for their people and cannot afford to import the rest.
(Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations)
10 1999 Offering of Letters
The Human Toll of Debt
S
itting with her father on a wicker mat, three-year-old Zenithou
has dark curls and a face that's been destroyed. She's fighting a
DRAFT
disease, caused by ordinary mouth bacteria, that eats through her
facial muscles, tissue and bones. Her father, Ali, a sieve maker, had to
sell 150 sieves before he had the money to take her to the hospital.
In Niger, Zenithou's country, there is no war, no famine - just con-
stant, crippling poverty. Children whose immune systems have been
weakened by chronic malnutrition have nothing with which to fight any
disease. Simple antibiotics and mouthwash may have saved Zenithou,
if her illness had been caught early. Niger - the poorest country in the
world - cannot afford these luxuries.
But Niger must spend three times more money paying off its debt
burden than it spends on health and education.
Ali has tried to provide for his family. "When I sell my sieves, I buy
maize, about a bowl a day. That's what my family eats. I had five chil-
dren, one's dead. I don't have money for other kinds of food."
Dr. Degrey Hubert, the head of the children's hospital in Niger's
capital, Niamey, has treated far too many children like Zenithou.
"In the last five years I've seen the number of children dying from
infectious diseases related to malnutrition creeping up from around 30
percent to 50 percent. It's getting worse," he says. "The hospital gets
no credit from the government because they have no money to give us.
The people can't breathe under this debt."
But that's how they must live in Niger. Meanwhile, Ali comforts his
C
armen Rosales, a mother of three, rises at four each morning
daughter as best he can.
from her shantytown home in Lima, Peru. She joins thousands of
"When she's in pain she takes my hand and puts it against the part
other street vendors who sell cigarettes, soap, candy, lottery tickets or
of her face that hurts and says to me, 'Daddy, it hurts.' I just stroke her
cheap clothing.
and comfort her but my heart is thumping and thumping."
Her morning's meager earnings might amount to the equivalent of $1.
[Adapted from an article, "Suffering from Plague - The Plague of Debt" in The
This is the family's only regular income since her husband lost his job.
Guardian, May 11, 1998,
Carmen's 4-year-old son, Miguel, has tuberculosis. She manages to
buy one capsule of the imported medicine every third day, a dosage
that is inadequate for Miguel's treatment.
Christians will have to raise
Peru's debt crisis has its roots in a time nearly 30 years ago when
successive military governments borrowed money to import oil, finance
their voices on behalf of the
development projects and increase military spending. After years of
debt repayments, in 1990 the government put in place a drastic pro-
poor of the world. The Jubilee
gram of economic reforms.
Prices of staple foods skyrocketed overnight. With the collapse of
is an appropriate time to give
the public health system, diseases such as cholera and tuberculosis
spread quickly. Carmen and her family have been shoved into ever-
thought to reducing substantially,
increasing depths of poverty by policies that benefit the rich while having
or canceling, the debt which
a devastating effect on the lives of those who are already vulnerable.
[Adapted from an article by Sr. Mary Neylon, Columban Mission, Sept./Oct.
seriously threatens many nations.
1994,
Pope John Paul 11
Bread for the World 11
Questions & Answers
Q
Paying off your debts is a matter of personal responsibil-
Will debt relief make it impossible for countries to/ge
ity. Wouldn't countries be better off in the long run if they
new loans?
GRAFT
were expected to fulfill their financial obligations just like
everyone else?
A
What makes a country a poor credit risk is the weakness of its
economy. Between 1993-95, the poorest countries were paying
A
Financial obligations are important. But the Bible is clear that
only 43 percent of their debt service, making them less desirable for new
financial contracts are less important than the most basic
investment Debt relief for the poorest countries will potentially make
human needs. The level of human sacrifice required to meet the debt
them more, not less, attractive to foreign investment by releasing them
obligations of the poorest countries is morally unacceptable. The bur-
from the debt burden that prevents them from investing resources in their
den of debt is contributing to high death rates among children, mass
own people and strengthening their economy.
misery and hopelessness.
Unlike individuals, poor countries with impossible debts can't
resort to bankruptcy. In the United States, we have bankruptcy laws to
Some of the countries eligible for debt relief are governed
deal with extreme situations. If a business or family can't pay its
by corrupt leaders or dictators. How can we ensure that
debts, a court establishes a plan to help the business or household get
debt relief will not simply put more money in the hands of a few
back on its feet, while at the same time responding to some of the
elite officials?
creditors' claims. While some people think bankruptcy practices have
become too lenient in the United States, no one wants to bring back
debtor prisons. But for poor countries there is no equivalent to bank-
A
Responsibility for the debt problem rests with both creditor and
debtors. So do the solutions. Corruption thrives when deci-
ruptcy laws. Instead, they are at the mercy of their creditors, and their
sions are made by few people with little accountability and too much
children often go hungry.
secrecy. The way to combat corruption is to increase the accountabili-
ty of both creditors and borrowers, and encourage greater democracy
in policy-making.
Q
Will debt relief for developing countries really help poor
Since the end of the Cold War, democracy has been blossoming in
and hungry people?
many of the poorest countries across the globe. But these newly-elected
A
In very poor countries, as many as half the people sometimes go
governments, trying to bring their countries into the global economy, find
hungry. Debt relief would free financial and human resources to
themselves strapped with debts incurred by former dictators where very
address the many problems that contribute to such widespread hunger and
little of the initial loan funds reached the people who truly needed it.
poverty in these countries. The proposed Jubilee 2000 legislation support-
Bread for the World supports legislation requiring decisions about debt
ed by Bread for the World will be targeted to benefit hungry and poor
relief and development programs to be made through broad-based con-
people.
sultation with a country's citizens. Countries which continue to experi-
ence gross violations of human rights, blatant drug trafficking, excessive
military expenditures or ethnic conflicts would be ineligible for debt relief.
The global Jubilee 2000 movement includes national campaigns in
many of the countries that could benefit from debt relief. In these
countries, churches and other groups are campaigning to make sure
debt relief benefits poor people.
12 1999 Offering of Letters
DRAFT
Is canceling debts realistic?
Much of the debt carried by poor countries is not owed
to the United States. Why should the United States be
It's happened in the past. The United States offered Poland $2.5 bil-
involved in solving the debt problem?
A
lion in debt relief in 1991. After the Desert Storm war, the United
States canceled $7 billion Egypt owed, and later canceled $635 million of
A
Much of the debt is owed to the World Bank and the Interna-
tional Monetary Fund (IMF), and the United States holds the
Jordan's military debts. Bread for the World helped win provisions of law
largest share of these institutions. The U.S. government is also the
that have allowed the United States to provide more than $2.3 billion in
leading voice in the council of creditor nations. A U.S. decision to can-
debt relief to the poorest countries since 1990.
cel the debt poor countries owe us would trigger parallel action by the
other creditor nations.
The United States plays a leadership role in the global economy,
and poor countries burdened with unpayable debt represent untapped
opportunities to strengthen the global economy. It is in U.S. self-inter-
est to promote the kind of debt relief which will move people out of
poverty and make them full economic partners in the 21st century.
The Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC)
HIPC
Lao P.D.R.
Mauritania
Myanmar
Honduras
Mali
Niger
Senegal
Chad
Nicaragua
Burkina
Sudan
Rep. of
Yemen
Guinea-Bissau®
Vietnam
Guinea
Guyana
Sierra Leone
Nigeria
Central
Ethiopia
Liberia
African Rep.
Côte Ivoire
Cameroon
Somalia
Ghana
Uganda Kenya
Togo
Congo
Dem.
Rwanda
Benin
Rep
Burundi
Sao Tomé and Príncipe
of Congo
Equatorial Guinea
Tanzania
Angola:
Mozambique
Zambia
Bolivia
Madagascar
This map was prepared by the Map Design Unit of The World Bank.
SEPTEMBER 1997
The boundaries, colors, demoninations and any other information
shown on this map do not imply, on the part of The World Bank Group,
any judgement on the legal status of any territory, or any endorsement
or acceptance of such boundaries.
IBRD 29032
Source: The World Bank and International Monetary Fund. Data posted at <http://worldbank.org>. Used With permission.
The Heavily Indebted Poor Countries and the United States
GNP per capita
(1995)
Aid' as % of GNP
(1994)
Net present value
of external debt as
% of GNP (1996)
Debt service as %
of GNP (1996)
Public expenditure
on health as % of
GDP (1990-1995')
Public expenditure
on education as %
of GNP (1995)
Under-five mortali-
ty (per 1,000 live
births) (1996)
Adult literacy rate
(1995)
Multilateral debt
as % of total out-
standing debt
(1996)
Bilateral debt as %
of total outstand-
ing debt (1996)
Debt owed to Unit-
ed States as % of
total outstanding
debt (1996)
United States
26980
..
..
: .
6.3
5.3
8
99
0
AFRICA
DRAFT
Angola
410
11.0
310
20.1
4.0
292
42
2
30
7
Benin
370
17.4
57
2.0
1.7
3.1
142
37
62
37
0
Burkina Faso
230
23.7
31
1.9
2.3
3.6
158
19
88
12
0
Burundi
160
31.6
47
2.7
0.9
2.8
176
35
85
15
Cameroon
650
10.0
106
6.3
1.0
..
102
63
19
69
1
Central African Republic
340
19.4
51
1.2
1.7
164
60
76
23
1
Chad
180
23.9
51
2.7
1.8
2.2
149
48
80
18
..
Congo, Dem. Rep. of the³
..
127
0.8
0.8
:
207
77
25
66
Congo, Rep. of
680
24.9
260
18.0
3.6
5.9
108
75
14
67
<1
Cote d'Ivoire
660
24.8
171
13.8
1.4
:
150
40
25
35
2
Equatorial Guinea
--
..
..
..
1.8
173
79
44
48
Ethiopia
100
22.7
149
5.8
1.1
4.7
177
36
26
70
1
Ghana
390
8.5
56
7.6
1.0
..
110
65
63
23
0
Guinea
550
11.0
61
3.0
0.9
..
210
36
50
47
2
Guinea-Bissau
250
74.3
248
4.2
1.1
..
223
55
45
55
Kenya
280
9.7
64
9.4
1.9
7.4
90
78
49
35
2
Liberia
..
..
..
: .
..
235
38
38
44
5
Madagascar
230
10.2
97
1.9
1.0
..
164
46
45
53
<1
Mali
250
24.5
56
4.5
1.3
2.2
220
31
53
47
0
Mauritania
460
27.7
157
11.6
1.5
5.0
183
38
45
54
<1
Mozambique
80
101.0
411
11.3
4.6
..
214
40
27
72
1
Niger
220
25.0
45
2.9
2.2
..
320
14
61
31
2
Rwanda
180
95.9
47
1.4
1.9
..
170
61
85
15
0
Sao Tome & Principe
..
:
..
..
..
..
..
71
29
..
Senegal
600
17.2
53
5.4
2.3
3.6
127
33
59
39
1
Sierra Leone
180
36.0
78
6.4
1.6
..
284
31
52
47
5
Somalia
..
- -
..
..
: .
..
211
24
40
58
6
Sudan
--
- -
260
--
0.5
..
116
46
21
58
3
Tanzania
120
29.9
114
4.5
2.8
:
144
68
47
46
1
Togo
310
13.8
80
4.0
1.7
5.6
125
52
57
39
0
Uganda
240
19.2
32
2.5
1.8
:
141
62
72
25
<1
Zambia
400
20.7
161
9.8
2.6
1.8
202
78
42
56
4
LATIN AMERICA
Bolivia
800
10.9
57
6.5
2.7
6.6
102
83
58
35
1
Guyana
--
--
4.1
83
98
49
47
1
Honduras
600
9.5
92
14.1
2.8
3.9
35
73
53
35
3
Nicaragua
380
46.1
322
13.2
4.3
..
57
66
30
61
0
ASIA
Lao PDR
350
14.2
45
1.6
0.8
2.4
128
57
34
66
Myanmar
34
..
0.5
1.3
150
83
25
67
0
Vietnam
240
5.9
123
1.5
1.1
2.7
44
94
2
91
<1
MIDDLE EAST
Yemen, Rep. of
260
4.6
88
1.6
1.1
7.5
105
33
24
45
<1
Sources: The Changing Politics of Hunger: Hunger 1999, Bread for the World Institute; World Credit Tables: Creditors Claims on Debtors Exposed 1996, European Network on Debt and
Development; External Debt Statistics 1975-1996, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, 1998; U.N. Human Development Report 1998, U.N. Development Program;
Global Development Finance 1998, The World Bank; World Development Indicators 1997 and 1998, The World Bank; World Development Report 1997, The World Bank.
1 Bilateral and multilateral grants and loans to promote economic development and welfare. 2 Data are for most recent year available. I Formerly Zaire.
14 1999 Offering of Letters
DRAFT
How Can I Do an Offering of Letters?
Planning an Offering of Letters
DRAFT
C
oordinating an Offering of Letters is one of the most far-reaching actions your church or community can take to help hungry people. The
steps below offer an effective method for organizing a successful Offering of Letters (OL) in your congregation. You can also organize an
Offering of Letters as a campus event or with other community groups.
Seek Support from Your Church, Community or Campus Identify key people who can make the decision to hold an OL your
pastor, social action committee, campus minister or others - and enlist their support.
2.
Organize a Committee Your committee will help make decisions about how and when to hold the OL, what resources to use
and how to integrate the OL with worship services or another activity. It is important to develop a strategy and timeline, and
determine what responsibilities each committee member will have.
3.
Prepare and Educate Your Audience Use the church or campus bulletin/newsletter to publicize the OL and educate the par-
ticipants. Set up displays, posters and announcements. Distribute Bread for the World's OL flier and speak to Sunday School
classes. Begin preparing the congregation at least three weeks in advance.
4.
Conducting the Offering On the day itself, place copies of the OL insert from this kit in your worship bulletins and have writing
materials ready. The best approach is to integrate the OL directly into the worship service. Be careful to ensure that those who
choose not to write do not feel excluded. Encourage those who do not write to offer prayers of support during this time. Effective
OLs can also be conducted immediately before or after the service by setting up a letter-writing table in a place easily accessible
to the congregation. Have pens, paper, stamps, envelopes, addresses of your members of Congress, sample letters and back-
ground information available. Regardless of your approach, try to set aside a portion of your worship service to dedicate the let-
ters.
5.
Communicate with Bread for the World Return the reply card in this kit or call 1-800-82-Bread. It's important to let BFW staff
know that you conducted an Offering of Letters so we can follow up with the members of Congress to whom you wrote.
Please send BFW staff the names and addresses of people in your church or group who took part in the Offering
of Letters. We will send them several update mailings over the next six to 18 months to report on the impact of our collective
efforts. (See page 25 for details.)
6.
Inform People on the Progress of the Bill Report back to your whole church or group on the outcome of Proclaim Jubilee:
Break the Chains of Debt. Typically, victory comes in pieces. It may be months before you can report that important action has
happened in Congress and even longer until these changes actually become U.S. law. Several years may pass before any impact
is made in impoverished countries. Yet steady and persistent efforts by grassroots activists does bring about such change, and
participants in your OL will be encouraged if you report back as events unfold.
When you sign up for our Proclaim Jubilee: Break the Chains of Debt update mailings, you'll have information to pass on to
other church members. You can also learn about the campaign from Bread for the World's newsletter, web site (www.bread.org)
and from your regional or local church organizer.
16 1999 Offering of Letters
Debt relief is hunger
(DRAD
relief: Each dollar paid
to wealthy creditors is a
dollar that could be spent
on food, schools or
agricultural training in a
developing country.
DRAFT
Sample Presentation
G
ood morning! My name is
. I'm a member of
repayment. Nicaragua, for example, spends more than twice the
Bread for the World, a nationwide grassroots Christian move-
amount on paying its debt than it spends on health care, even though
ment that began 25 years ago. We lobby our national government on
30 percent of its children are malnourished and 74 percent of its peo-
hunger issues in the U.S. and overseas.
ple live in poverty.
Each year, we sponsor a nationwide letter-writing campaign called
In calling for debt relief, we are inspired by Scripture. The book of
the Offering of Letters. We urge elected officials to take action in sup-
Leviticus describes every 50th year as a Jubilee Year. If some people
port of public policies that help hungry people. Letters are offered to
had fallen SO far into debt that they had lost their land or been sold
God in thanks for the gift of citizenship. This year, our focus is debt
into slavery, their debts were to be canceled. They were to get their
relief for the world's poorest countries.
land and liberty back.
The foreign debt of the world's poorest countries is like a giant
Proclaim Jubilee: Break the Chains of Debt is the theme of this
chain, wrapped tightly around millions of families. It ties them to their
year's Offering of Letters. Pope John Paul II, Archbishop Desmond Tutu
country's debt, making them permanently impoverished. This chain
and other religious leaders have called for the cancellation of debt for
must be broken.
the poorest countries as part of the world's celebration of the year
Debt relief is hunger relief: Each dollar paid to wealthy creditors is
2000. There are now Jubilee 2000 campaigns in more than 70 coun-
a dollar that could be spent on food, schools or agricultural training in
tries.
a developing country.
Please participate in our Offering of Letters. Write to Congress
In the past, wealthy countries and international banks eagerly lent
and ask for debt relief for very poor countries. If you prefer not to
money to government leaders of poor countries. Some of the loans
write, please pray for those suffering poverty because of the debt bur-
went to ill-conceived projects or corrupt individuals. Though poor peo-
den. By writing and praying, you will help to "proclaim Jubilee" and
ple rarely benefited from these loans, they now suffer the burden of
"break the chains of debt!" Thank you.
Bread for the World 17
Writing Letters to Members of Congress
DRAFT
W
riting a letter is one of the most effective ways citizens can
Be concise. Express yourself clearly and briefly. One or two para-
communicate with elected officials. Since most representatives
graphs should be enough.
and senators tally public opinion to help them make decisions, imagine
Request specific action. Ask your representative and senators to
the impact we have when we inundate Capitol Hill with tens of thou-
cosponsor Jubilee legislation, supported by Bread for the World, to
sands of letters!
relieve the unpayable debt of poor countries.
Last year, Bread for the World's national Offering of Letters won
passage of the Africa: Seeds of Hope Act, which is now redirecting
House and Senate Addresses
U.S. aid and investment toward small-scale farmers and struggling
Representative
Senator
rural communities in Africa.
U.S. House of Representatives
U.S. Senate
This year's Offerings of Letters, Proclaim Jubilee: Break the Chains
Washington, DC 20515
Washington, DC 20510
of Debt, asks the U.S. Congress to relieve poor countries of the burden
of unpayable debt.
Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 or check the
World Wide Web (www.house.gov or www.senate.gov) for the e-mail
Letter Writing Tips
addresses of your members of Congress. Include your mailing address in
Be personal. A handwritten letter receives much more attention than a
any e-mail SO that you will immediately be identified as a constituent.
preprinted card or petition. Be sure to include your return address in
your letter so your representatives can reply.
Sample Letter
Your name
Your address
Date
Representative
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Representative
I urge you to cosponsor Jubilee legislation, supported by Bread for the World, to provide debt relief benefiting hungry and poor people to the
world's poorest countries. Releasing the burden of debt would give these countries a fresh start as we head into the new millennium. Help
us break the chains of debt that grip hungry and poor people in these countries.
Sincerely,
Your Name
18 1999 Offering of Letters
Order Your Free Offering of Letters Media Kit
DRAFT
M
edia shapes the priorities of government. Congress and the
So far the U.S. media has given scant coverage to debt relief for
administration respond to the issues that show up in newspa-
the world's poorest countries. But your efforts could influence how
pers, TV and radio. But ordinary citizens can help shape what the
media in your area addresses this critical issue. As part of Bread for
media covers.
the World's mission, media advocacy is an important tool for fighting
Last year, BFW members generated more than 100 letters to the
hunger and educating the public.
editor, op-eds and articles endorsing the Africa: Seeds of Hope Act.
To help generate media coverage of Proclaim Jubilee: Break the
BFW members also placed 20 editorials in local newspapers, and con-
Chains of Debt, order a free copy of the 1999 Offering of Letters Media
ducted radio interviews. This media coverage was critical to the pas-
Kit. This step-by-step primer will provide you with the tools you need
sage of the Africa: Seeds of Hope Act.
to get your local media to respond to this important issue.
The Africa: Seeds of Hope
Act encourages self-
sufficiency where it is
desperately needed. It is
easier and more humane to
help prevent a famine than
to rush in when death
strides across the dust.
It is more profitable to
promote self-sufficiency
than the uncertain relief
of charity.
Dayton Daily News, July 18, 1998
Bread for the World 19
Debt Awareness Activities
DRAFT
V
isuals and activities can help your audience better understand
easier to unravel this way. In processing the exercise, talk about debt
the Proclaim Jubilee campaign. This page lists a few easy
and how it oppresses people. Then talk about what ways people can
things to do. For more extensive resources, call the BFW organizing
help to break the chains of debt. (Adapted from Jubilee 2000 Debt Cut-
department or visit the BFW web site (www.bread.org).
ters Handbook)
Using symbols
The color red. Red can symbolize that many poor countries are "in
Symbols provide wonderful visual representations that invite people to
the red." Invite people to wear red on the day you hold your offering.
interact with the issue.
Decorate your church or room in red. (Adapted from Christian Aid,
Chains. Be creative in using the image of chains. As an altar arrange-
Making connections
ment, place a ring of chains around a tall candle. The chains encircling
Identify people in your community who have lived in a developing
the candle represent the oppression of debt, but the candle is the sign
country, such as missionaries or international students. Invite them to
of hope that debt relief brings.
share their experiences from overseas that help to highlight the impact
Make paper chains. This is a good activity for people of all ages.
of debt.
Invite people to write on each chain link a way that debt harms people,
Ask business people who travel in developing countries to look for
or a prayer. Join the links to make a prayer chain, then display it to
the impact of debt Any traveler can keep a watchful eye out for the
show the many prayers raised on behalf of people struggling in debt.
ways the country is being harmed by debt.
Contact your denominational mission program. They will know
Human chain activity. In circles of eight people, ask everyone to put
people who can work with you to bring the personal side of Jubilee to
his/her hands in the middle and then take hold of two other hands of
your community.
two other people. Once everyone is holding hands, ask them to unravel
Because worldwide debt is hard to grasp, use these resource people
themselves into a circle without letting go. Then play the game again,
to help your church or campus focus on one particular country. Get to
and allow two people to let go of the hands they're holding. It's much
know the people of the country and their specific struggles with debt.
20 1999 Offering of Letters
DRAFT
Biblical Roots of Jubilee
L
ike many themes of economic justice, Jubilee is deeply rooted
Jesus adopted Jubilee imagery in his earliest proclamation (Luke
in Scripture. The God who is creator, redeemer and sustainer
4:16-21). Beginning his ministry, he announced liberation from captivity
also acts as economist, offering principles for life in community that
reflected in the "year of the Lord's favor"- - a Jubilee reference. Reliev-
challenge modern concepts of wealth, property and work.
ing debts was at the heart of the prayer he commended his disciples to
For early Israel, the passage that defined most fully God's call to
pray (Matthew 6:12).
Jubilee is in Leviticus 25. Every 50 years, a time of liberation was to
While people of faith need to be economic beings in their society
be proclaimed: liberation from the oppression of debt, from slavery,
(Luke 20:20-26), Jesus cautioned against the accumulation of personal
from landlessness. No one was to live permanently in want and be
wealth that disrupts relationship with God and could prevent the reallo-
exploited by others. As Ched Myers notes in Sojourners (May-June
cation of resources that Jubilee economics foresaw (Mark 10:17-22;
1998, July-August 1998), Jubilee draws from the themes of sabbath
Luke 12:13-21).
introduced in Genesis 2:1-3, when God rested from the labor of cre-
Jesus also used debtor/creditor relationships as a metaphor concern-
ation and proclaimed its goodness.
ing the reign of God (Matthew 18: 23-35), illustrating the sovereign's
The Jubilee spirit also grows from the sabbatical observed each sev-
extravagant grace in relieving the burden of debt. This story also shows
enth year, when fields were to lie fallow, and exploited people and ani-
the role advocacy can play, as those seeing injustice hold their leaders
mals could eat what remained in the fields (Exodus 23:10-12). Recogniz-
accountable for overcoming the oppression that debt can produce.
ing God's abundant gifts and commands to protect everyone from want,
Today's call to Jubilee holds out hope for freedom and a fresh start
the Jubilee represented both a time to reorder society's tendency to accu-
to millions of hungry people in poor countries enslaved by debt. The
mulate wealth in a few people and a moment of rest to restore the land
call to Jubilee also invites people in the world's rich countries to take
and the people in relationship with each other and with God.
some rest from frantic acquisition and celebrate God's abundant grace.
Bread for the World 21
Litany Based on Leviticus 25
DRAFT
Leader: The Lord God says you shall count off seven weeks of years, seven times seven years, SQ that the period of seven weeks of years gives
forty-nine years. Then you shall have the trumpet sounded loud throughout your land.
People: And you shall hallow the fiftieth year and you shall proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a Jubilee for you.
Leader: Let trumpets blow loud and long throughout the world.
People: The Jubilee year shall be holy, a time to proclaim liberty throughout the world.
Leader: Let trumpets proclaim liberty throughout the world.
People: The Jubilee year shall be holy, a time to proclaim liberty to enslaved debtors.
Leader: Let trumpets blow loud and long throughout the world.
People: The Jubilee year shall be holy, a time for everyone to return home to the original family possession. Let trumpets sound the return.
Leader: The Jubilee year shall be a Sabbath rest for all people and for the animals and for the land.
People: Let the trumpets blow loud and long throughout the world.
Leader: The fiftieth year shall be the year of Jubilee. The millennium shall bring relief from debt for people in poor countries who are struggling
under a load of debt impossible to pay.
All:
Let the trumpets blow loud and long throughout the world.
Dedication of Letters
C
reator of Life, bless these letters, and our commitment of time,
energy, resources and citizenship to the end that all men,
women and children in the world's poorest countries may be freed from
the chains of debt. Help them, too, proclaim Jubilee and find the com-
plete and abundant life You promised to us all. Amen.
22 1999 Offering of Letters
DRAFT
JUBILEE
JUBILEO
eople who could not repay a loan were once imprisoned as a pun-
ishment for debt. More humane laws have replaced debtor prisons.
A
ntiguamente se encarcelaba a la gente que no podía pagar sus deu-
P
das. Hoy en día, existen leyes más humanas que han reemplazado a
Creditors may not exact unreasonable sacrifices from people who owe
las prisiones para los deudores. Los acreedores no pueden exigir sacrifi-
them money.
cios extremos a quienes les deben dinero.
For poor countries, however, no such protective laws exist. Hundreds
Para los países pobres, sin embargo, no existen tales leyes protec-
of millions of people are now imprisoned by poverty because of their
toras. Cientos de millones de personas ahora se encuentran aprisionadas
countries' enormous debts. These ordinary families, who did not borrow
por la pobreza, a causa de las enormes deudas de sus países. Estas
the money and often did not benefit from the loans, bear the heaviest
familias, quienes no pidieron prestado el dinero y frecuentemente no se
burden of repayment.
beneficiaron de los préstamos, llevan la más pesada carga de pagarlos.
In Leviticus, the biblical tradition calls for a Jubilee year, when slaves
En Levítico, la tradición bíblica proclama un año de jubileo, en el cual
are set free and debts canceled. Now, as part of a worldwide Jubilee
se libera a los esclavos y se cancelan las deudas. Ahora, como parte de
2000 movement, Bread for the World is calling for the international com-
un movimiento mundial, llamado "Jubileo 2000," Pan Para el Mundo está
munity to lift the burden of unpayable debt which is smothering poor
llamando a la comunidad internacional a levantar la carga de la deuda
countries.
impagable, la cual está sofocando a los países pobres.
Poor countries must divert scarce resources away from meeting peo-
Los países pobres se ven obligados a dirigir sus recursos hacia el
ple's basic needs to debt repayments. Each dollar paid to wealthy credi-
pago de la deuda, en vez de cubrir las necesidades básicas de la gente.
tors is a dollar not spent on food programs, schools or hospitals.
Cada dólar pagado a los acreedores ricos es un dólar no gastado en pro-
gramas de nutrición, educación 0 salud.
Debt relief is hunger relief. This chain of debt must be broken!
Aliviar la deuda es aliviar el hambre. ¡Esta cadena de la deuda
se tiene que romper!
¡Ayuden a hacer que este año sea el año de jubileo! Unanse a la Ofrenda de Cartas
Help make this the year of Jubilee! Join Bread for the World's Offering of Letters,
de Pan Para el Mundo, Proclamen Jubileo: Rompan las Cadenas de la Deuda. Insten a sus
Proclaim Jubilee: Break the Chains of Debt. Urge your senators and representative to
senadores y a su representante a que apoyen una iniciativa de ley que consiga el alivio de
support legislation that brings about debt relief for the world's poorest countries.
la deuda de los países más pobres.
Uds. pueden redactar su propia carta. A continuación les damos un ejemplo.
Sample Letter (Feel free to write in your own words, too.)
(Traducción al español)
Dear Representative (or Senator)
Estimado/a Representante (o Senador/a)
I urge you to cosponsor Jubilee legislation, supported by Bread for the World, to provide
Le solicito urgentemente hacerse co-patrocinador de la legislación Jubileo, apoyada por
debt relief benefiting hungry and poor people to the world's poorest countries. Releasing the
Pan Para el Mundo, para proveer alivio de la deuda para ayudar a las personas pobres y
burden of debt would give these countries a fresh start as we head into the new millenni-
con hambre en los países más pobres. Levantar la carga de la deuda les daría a estos
países un nuevo inicio al principio del nuevo milenio. Ayúdenos a romper las cadenas de
um. Help us break the chains of debt that grip hungry and poor people in these countries.
la deuda que aprisionan a la gente pobre y con hambre en estos países.
Sincerely,
Sinceramente,
Your Name
(Su nombre)
Direcciones de la Cámara de Representantes y del Senado
House and Senate Addresses
Rep.
Sen.
Rep.
Sen.
U.S. House of Representatives
U.S. Senate
U.S. House of Representatives
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20515
Washington, DC 20510
Washington, DC 20515
Washington, DC 20510
Pan Para el Mundo enviará mayor información a toda persona que escriba una carta al
Bread for the World will mail follow-up information to everyone who writes a letter to
Congreso. Favor de dar su nombre y domicilio al organizador 0 a la organizadora para que
Congress. Please give your name and address to the offering organizer SO you can know the
Ud. pueda saber el impacto que tuvo su carta sobre la campaña, Proclamen Jubileo:
impact your letter has on the Proclaim Jubilee: Break the Chains of Debt campaign.
Rompan las Cadenas de la Deuda.
Gracias por tomar el tiempo de escribir una carta a favor de la gente con hambre que
Thank you for taking the time to write a letter on behalf of hungry people imprisoned
se encuentra aprisionada por la deuda externa de su país.
by their country's debt.
Bread for the World
Bread for the World
1100 Wayne Avenue, Suite 1000, Silver Spring, MD 20910
1100 Wayne Avenue, Suite 1000, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: 1-800-82-BREAD Fax: (301) 608-2401 E-mail: offering.of.letersbread.o
Phone: 1-800-82-BREAD Fax: (301) 608-2401 E-mail: offering.of.letersbread.o
DRAFT
Resources
DRAFT
Your BFW regional, local church or campus organizer can offer tips
nations and the plight of individuals in those countries. The Debt
on organizing letter-writing activities, suggest helpful educational
Game: Who Owes Whom? (58 minutes) explores the origins and
materials, update you on the legislation's progress and put you in
consequences of the international debt crisis and the historic rela-
touch with others in your area who are working on the Jubilee
tionship between rich and poor nations from the colonial period to
2000 campaign. If you are not sure who your organizer is, call the
the establishment of the International Monetary Fund. The Debt
national office at 1-800-82-BREAD.
Crisis: An African Dilemma (20 minutes) focuses on Zambia, illus-
Regular updates may be accessed on the BFW web site
trating how one nation has been affected by the policies of the
(www.bread.org). Useful resources available from the BFW publi-
international banking community. Bread for the World's video, Pro-
cations department include additional copies of this kit, bulletin
claim Jubilee, will also be available from CWS. To order any of
inserts, posters, Offering of Letters fliers, background papers,
these videos, contact the CWS Film Library, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart,
hunger reports and BFW member brochures. See p. 27 for a list
IN 46515; phone (219) 264-3102.
and complete order information.
Putting Life Before Debt is an excellent study and action guide,
A Proclaim Jubilee skit, prepared by BFW member Cathy Brechtels-
with special attention given to Catholic social teaching. Prepared
bauer, addresses debt, its causes, biblical foundations and the
jointly by CIDSE/Caritas Internationalis, it is available from Jen-
hopeful message of Proclaim Jubilee. The skit requires only three
nifer Donnelly, Catholic Relief Services, 209 West Fayette Street,
characters, minimal props, and takes about 15 minutes to present.
Baltimore, MD 21201; phone (410) 625-2220, ext. 3504;
Script is available from BFW's organizing department.
jldonnellycatholicreliefo via e-mail.
The Jubilee 2000/USA campaign has a helpful web site
Many denominational offices have prepared excellent materials on
(www.j2000usa.org) and also offers an educational packet for $5.
the debt crisis. One particularly good paper, The Debt Burden on
Contact Jubilee 2000/USA, P.O. Box 29550, Washington, DC 20017;
Impoverished Countries, was produced last year by the Episcopal
phone (202) 783-3566; [email protected] via e-mail.
Church Office of Government Relations. Write to them at 110
Maryland Ave., N.E., Suite 309, Washington, DC 20002, or call 1-
Church World Service (CWS) maintains a free video lending library.
800-228-0515, to request a copy. CWS also has a valuable four-
The following films are among those available on debt: A Matter
page piece on debt and Africa. Contact your own denomination's
Of Interest (13 minutes) draws a parallel between debt-burdened
hunger or social justice office to see what is available.
Proclaim Jubilee: Break the Chains of Debt Follow-up
People who write Congress often wonder whether their letter made any difference. It takes time for Congress to consider issues, so results
may become clear months after your Offering of Letters.
Bread for the World will mail follow-up information to everyone who writes a letter to Congress. Please ask people who participate to
print their name, address, city, state and ZIP code on a sign-up sheet, then mail it back to us.
Mailings will thank participants for writing Congress on behalf of hungry people and report on the impact of the Proclaim Jubilee cam-
paign. We will also ask people who have written Congress to join Bread for the World, so that they can speak up for hungry people on an
ongoing basis.
Bread for the World 25