It is against this background and the need to preserve the world and to celebrate that we are people made in the image of our Creator that I call for world bodies to enshrine the rights of future generations in a similar declaration. This would contribute to some assurance that a sustainable environment could ensue. As a Church, our concern for these issues arises from our reverence for life as a fundamental principle upon which the ethics of civilised human beings depend. International debt and economic justice. This is an issue that is high on the agenda at the Lambeth Conference.
International debt is seen as an issue that is hampering development in the developing world.
It has been described as a modern form of slavery. There is a growing movement throughout the world, epitomised by Jubilee 2000, to cancel the debt of developing countries so that the world can have a fresh start in the next century. A full discussion will take place on this issue. This will involve finance ministers from developed and developing countries, theological reflection, as well as discussion revolving around the principles and mechanisms that should be applied in dealing with the cancellation of such debts. This will also take cognisance of ways in which to ensure that such a situation never again arises.