What's new?
Farm Bill 2008
Worship
Fair Trade
FTAA
CAFTA
WTO
NAFTA
Statements
Photos
Resources
Links
Action

Updated 4 December 2008

Special Features:

Peacemaking: The Beautiful Fight of the Faith
Rev. Dr. Mark Lomax @ the 2006 Presbyterian Peacemaking Program Dinner

Covenanting for Justice in the Economy and the Earth
World Alliance of Reformed Churches; General Council, Ghana

Sorrows of Empire
by Chalmers Johnson
(PDF - 87 kb)

The Economy of Grace vs. the Market Logic
by Rev. Dr. M. Douglas Meeks

Empire and Church
by Moderator Rick
Ufford-Chase


Your reactions and ideas are encouraged. Please email or call (888) 728-7228 x5388 for more information

PC(USA) Home Page link

Copyright Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). See our Privacy Policy

 


Para una traducción aproximada de esta página y todos sus enlaces haga clic aquí

The Right to Food

trade week of action graphic of booklet coverPresbyterians and others around the world recognize how unfair trade policies can inhibit an individual's and a nations' right to have and produce enough food. The global food crisis has awakened church partners around the world to the fact that the global food system is seriously broken, and the structural problems go beyond trade policy.

Accordingly, The Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, of which the PC(USA) is a member, will be launching a new campaign on food in 2009. The Food Campaign will benefit from the closely-related ecumenical work of the past years to promote trade justice.
[See the Press Release ]

The Trade Week of Action: Right to Food Guide booklet contains many of the stories and analysis of trade impacts and ideas about ways for individuals and congregations to engage. We hope you will continue to find this educational, liturgical and faith-based action manual useful in your bible study classes and other Christian education events.

Join in the monthly 40-hour fasts initiated by PC(USA) churches on the global food crisis--to pray, repent and discern what God would have us do to address the underlying causes.
[Read what the CEO of Nestle is saying about the water and food crisis]

Up close and personal
Members of the North and Meso-American ecumenical trade justice group, MESA, met in Juárez, Mexico to see the affects of NAFTA in person. The negative impact on women and on labor rights were shocking. We also learned about the terror being waged on a community by brothers who want their land for development.
[Read the Communiqué and write to the Governor of Chihuahua]

Water For All graphic. Click to go to PC(USA) Water for All website. Rest of graphic says 'Presbyterians, Thirst for Justice, Resist Privatization & Restore Creation, Water for All!

Click the badge if you want Water for All?

Thirst: Private Water or Water for All?
Borrow or order the award-winning film, Thirst. [Learn more about water and thirst]


U.S. Genetically Modified Corn Is Assailed
A scientific panel of international experts, convened under NAFTA, reports that the spread of GMO corn in Mexico poses a threat that should be limited or stopped. [Read the article]

Make sure the flowers you give spread love and justice!

Learn more about "fair trade" flowers

Woman carrying round sign with the words, "Food Sovereignty YES"  Credit: Reclaiming the Commons
Worship Resources on
Trade and Globalization

*

What is globalization?

*

What is food sovereignty?


Presbyterian Global Eco-Justice Listserv
Sign up now

and receive a water-proof Thirst for Justice sticker for your reusable mug or water bottle

More News & Analysis

 

What's New?

Global governments to blame for food crisis - Nestle
"The argument for biofuels mainly started as one for using wood and plant leftovers, whilst the reality is that it is mainly food, like corn, that is used. [There is] a need for new approaches, often changes in paradigm and an urgent need, in particular to change public policy and improve transparency." [Read the short article on Just-Food]

trade week of action logoTrade Week of Action

Trade Week of Action: Right to Food Booklet
Just published in August 2008, this revised Trade Week booklet introduces the Trade Week of Action on the Right to Food at a time when food prices are pushing millions more into poverty. The guide explores the interactions between trade, agriculture, food and human rights. It considers what the Bible has to say about trade and food, and tells the stories of real people affected by free trade policies. The guide offers action ideas, liturgy and other worship resources.
Download the booklet now - 1.14MB

Everything you need can be found on the Trade Week of Action Web site, developed by the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, a partner organization of the PC(USA):

The 2008 Farm Bill and the World Trade Organization Doha Agenda
By Sophia Murphy and Steve Suppan
The U.S. Congress finally voted a new Farm Bill into law on May 22, 2008. The Farm Bill legislation does nothing to help advance the long-delayed negotiations on agriculture in Geneva. The Bush administration failed to demonstrate U.S. readiness to complete the Doha Round as it was unable to reform the Farm Bill. The timing for WTO Doha negotiations will only get worse with U.S. Congressional and Presidential elections coming in November. Read the analysis


Giant agrifood companies get fat on food crisis

How do we as Christians respond to the growing food crisis, particularly while companies led by fellow humans are reaping record profits. National Public Radio's Marketplace covers this story that parallels the profiteering of oil companies. "In our continuing series, "Food Fight," we look at the profitable side of the global food crisis. Sarah Gardner reports on the big agribusiness firms that are breaking earnings records as everything from grains to soybeans skyrockets." Click here to listen to the story or read the transcript

Learn about the Global Food Price and Distribution Crisis on the Presbyterian Hunger Program Web site

World Alliance of Reformed Churches "ACCRA CONFESSION: Covenant for Justice in the Economy and the Earth"
From the 24th General Assembly of WARC in Accra, Ghana

Joining Hands Against Hunger, Globalization and Fair Trade
From La Oroya, Peru comes a wonderful article from the National Catholic Reporter. "Looking Ahead: Church groups seek new models of solidarity" Read the article


Are you a globalization whiz?
Find out by taking the Online Globalization Quiz

You can also download the quiz for use with friends, family and congregation

Globalization Glossary Read/print the glossary...
Thanks to the Tennessee Industrial Renewal Network (TIRN) and the Development Group for Alternative Policies.

Economic and Empire Glossary Learn those pesky words and impress your friends with your mastery over acroynms | From the PC(USA) Food Crisis Web site


The "Just Trade Consultation" held in Stony Point was the recent foundation for much of our ecumenical work on issues of trade justice.
MESA came out of this meeting and is a common table where Canadian, US and Mexican churches can network to amplify the churches' witness regarding trade justice in the Americas.
Rev. Dr. M. Douglas Meeks, Chancellor Professor of Theology and Wesleyan Studies at Vanderbilt University, presents paper on 'The Economy of Grace'.
Photo: Victoria Richardson
 

 

WHY JUST TRADE?

Revenge of the Acronyms: WTO, NAFTA, CAFTA and FTAA

Can Acronyms Cause Hunger and Poverty?

Yes, they can.

International trade is an important way that the United States engages with the world. However, even ardent supporters of international trade have begun to admit that trade can produce both "winners" and "losers."

Recent international trade policies, designed and enforced by unelected bankers, CEOs and consultants, have caused tremendous damage to the environment and to people--especially in poorer communities and countries. Not surprisingly, those affected most by international trade are women and children. More free trade as currently practiced will only increase the damage. Accordingly, faith groups and organizations in the U.S. and around the world are intent on stopping or dramatically modifying these agreements and practices.

Given the many negative impacts of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has taken a strong stance against free trade agreements. See the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) and Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) pages for full coverage.

Please use this Web site as a way to further educate yourselves and your congregations about these critical issues. Together we can act with faith in God's order to create positive alternatives and stop policies that harm people.

Feel free to peruse the resources available: RESOURCES

And explore how to get engaged: ACTION

The PC(USA)'s Stand on Just Trade
The PC(USA) supports efforts to strive toward international cooperation based on fair trade, respect for diversity, and common concerns for a peaceful, just, and sustainable world.

The PC(USA) opposes multinational actions and trade agreements that elevate rights of corporations over the right of governments and indigenous peoples to pass and enforce laws that preserve the public good and protect their citizens, economies, and environments.

[Excerpt; 215th General Assembly (2003); See FTAA page for more]

Home | Worship | Fair Trade | FTAA | CAFTA | WTO

NAFTA | Statements | Photos | Resources | Links | Action

PC(USA) Seal