The work of EcoJustice attempts to address many manifestations of systemic injustice through a holistic vision and an integrating ecological framework. The relationship of social justice, economic justice, environmental protection, human rights, and peace is particularly important to pursue at a time of rapid globalization and where the gaps between peoples and nations, rich and poor, are escalating out of any conscionable proportion.
In May of 1998, our triennial General Synod met and affirmed resolutions on the following matters brought to it by the EcoJustice Committee.
Toward Sustainable Community
Based on an ecumenical report prepared for Earth Summit II in 1997, the Anglican Church of Canada adopted a broad policy base which spelled out specific issues and actions to promote sustainable communities. From the Introduction:
As Canadian churches, we also are beginning to question the term sustainable development because we agree that it is often misused in order to legitimize current economic approaches which are premised on unlimited growth and a continuous and unregulated expansion of production and consumption for the worldÕs rich. To measure progress toward sustainable development in this context is to avoid challenging the very dynamics which are increasing the gap between the rich and the poor in the world and causing environmental destruction.
All economic systems must be tested from the perspective of their effect on the poor, the oppressed and the marginalized, which in these days includes many members of the natural world as well. God has created the whole cosmos to be good; it is a common inheritance for all peoples for all times too be enjoyed in loving and responsible relationships with one another. This understanding is foundational in our vision of a just and moral economy where: a) the earth and whole created order is nurtured with utmost respect and reverence rather than exploited and degraded, b) people are empowered to fully participate in making decisions that affect their lives, and c) public and private institutions and enterprises are accountable and held responsible for the social and environmental impacts and consequences of their operations...
Christians are called to anticipate the just and loving community that God wills and promises.
Jesus came to proclaim abundant life. We are called as an image of God to voluntarily limit our consumption and act with profound sympathy for all life. We see Jesus in the signs of genuine community: healing ministry, inclusion of outcasts, children, women, and servanthood on behalf of the world, The saving work of the Spirit restores community and brings harmony within creation. Christians should be salt and yeast in society for the sake of justice, peace and the integrity of creation.
In our vision of community, sufficiency is a key element - there is enough for all and all have enough. This vision includes physical, mental and spiritual health, food security in quantity and quality, clean air and water, responsible use of natural resources, appropriate use of technologies, good housing, security of the person, educational opportunities and adequate transportation. Relationships of justice and sufficiency produce a high degree of contentment, celebration and spiritual fulfillment that stands in marked contrast to the spiritual poverty of compulsive consumerism that is so much a part of many contemporary societies.
Important Issues
Trade and Investment.
The condemnation of the Multilateral Agreement on Investment (the MAI), proposed by the OECD, was a radical and partially successful exercise in the mobilization of civil society. In that it provided an important opportunity for citizens and NGOs and government to reexamine the issues of the rights of powerful corporations over peoples and governments, it helped to clarify what spiritual values we are committed to. In that the agreement was blocked, at least for a time and in this fashion, the campaign was successful. The future for the MAI must be closely monitored as it moves into the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Human Rights Principles. For many years the church had been trying to adopt a set of principles to govern our ordered life which reflects our deep commitment to human rights of every person, including non-discrimination because of sexual orientation. While the debate was the lengthiest of all, it was ultimately approved in the houses of Clergy and Laity, but defeated by 5 votes in the House of Bishops. The matter continues to be before us.
Nuclear Abolition. As a non-nuclear power, we have been long-standing participants in the call for nuclear abolition and have reaffirmed our support for the Abolition 2000 Campaign and the implementation of the ruling of the World Court on the illegality of the use, or threat to use, these weapons against humanity. We have recently commended our governmentÕs own standing committee report on foreign affairs, ÒCanada and the Nuclear Challenge,Ó which recommends much the same thing.
Just War Theory. At a somewhat paradoxical time, when Canada takes its seat as the chair of the UN Security Council, and when our active participation in NATO is being heavily called upon in Kosovo, we are, as a nation, deeply divided over our actionsÑseeming to call upon peaceful processes and peacekeeping, leading the way in the treaty on landmines, and at the same time as electing to bomb a sovereign nation and some innocent civilians without UN agreement.
The Primate has delivered three pastoral letters on the subject, two regarding the Gulf Wars and the latest on Kosovo, and has been part of a religious leaders team meeting with the Prime Minister to try to affect government policy. The church has now called for deeper study on the merit or obsolescence, the adequacy and justice or injustice of the so-called Just War Theory.
Jubilee. We are focusing ecumenically, nationally, and internationally on the three themes of Jubilee: release from captivity, redistribution of wealth, and renewal of the earth. In keeping with this, we are committed in Year I to the international Jubilee 2000 Debt Petition Campaign.
We are also supporting other Jubilee-linked campaigns: Women's March Against Poverty 2000, Indigenous Land Rights campaign, Abolition 2000, 'the growing gap,' Tobin Tax, and Child Poverty Campaign 2000.
Year II - pledge to call on government to keep its promises made at Rio, Cairo, Vienna, Copenhagen, Beijing, Istanbul, Montreal, Kyoto, Ottawa, etc. Pledge for individual church community to become Jubilee Community.
Indigenous Peoples. We are calling, as a church of indigenous and non-indigenous peoples, for the implementation of recommendations on treaties, land rights, and self-determination in the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples Report. We celebrate, with the Nisga a people, the negotiation of the first modern-day treaty, and with the people of the Eastern Arctic the creation of their new territory of Nunavut, inaugurated on April 1, 1999.
The legacy of Residential Schools still continues to have a serious impact on our church, with over 200 lawsuits for billions of dollars in compensation. We are participating with other churches, the Assembly of First Nations, and the Federal Department of Justice in roundtables to explore Alternative Dispute Resolutions, as alternatives to litigation, which everyone agrees perpetuates harm to all.
Other Important Issues:
- Biotechnology: APEC, VancouverÑAnglican Church was listed in the intelligence service (CSIS), along with Amnesty International, the Raging Grannies, and others as Òlow risk terrorist activity threat.Ó
- Food Banks & Food Security
- Women and Economic Justice Ñ Sweatshops
- Benchmarks for Global Corporate Responsibility
- What is partnership?
- Climate Change
- Mining
Our participation in the UN review processes of Rio +5, Copenhagen +5 and Beijing +5, as well as other multilateral processes such as the Organization of American States and the hemispheric talks.
We are very happy to again attend the APJN and the exciting possibilities it affords to continue to build our relations as the global body of Christ.
