Global Activists Set to Tackle Economic Justice at D.C. Conference


March 14, 2012

WASHINGTON, DC –– In little over a week advocates, activists and presenters from across the United States and around the world will gather outside Washington, D.C., to explore the economy, livelihoods and national priorities.

With the theme “Is This the Fast We Seek,” the tenth international Ecumenical Advocacy Days Conference (March 23 – March 26) will include presentations, workshops and policy issue discussions exploring the need for and means of seeking a global economy and a national budget that break the yokes of injustice, poverty, hunger and unemployment throughout the world.

Ecumenical Advocacy Days, co-sponsored by Church World Service and the National Council of Churches and many of their member communions, with broad ecumenical support, is the largest annual gathering of faith-based advocates in the U.S.

The Rev. John L. McCullough, Executive Director and CEO of Church World Service, said, “As ecumenists, raising our voices is nothing new. For some, talking about economic inequality is politically incorrect, and for others it is politically advantageous; for us, it is justice. As long as society shortchanges children and keeps families mired in poverty, our voices will never be silenced.”

McCullough, who will welcome conferees to the gathering on March 23 at the Doubletree Hotel in Arlington, Va., leads the CWS’ ongoing advocacy campaign, which urges the President and our lawmakers in Congress to help implement domestic and international policies that ensure access to nutritious, affordable food for all families and children.

This year’s conference focuses on the impact of the federal budget and economic policies on children, poor people and other vulnerable populations in the United States and abroad.  Workshop participants will review budgetary priorities, address the issue of taxes and other revenues, examine gender-based economic inequality, highlight the scapegoating of immigrants, and examine the impact of health care reform on poor people.

Also planned are area specific sessions on Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East and the U.S., including workshops on human trafficking and slavery, the economics of the Arab Spring, the U.S. embargo on Cuba and indigenous land rights.

Following the weekend of worship, dialogue and training on key policy issues and grassroots advocacy, participants will go to Capitol Hill on Monday, March 26, to lobby lawmakers for effective and just economic policies.

Ecumenical Advocacy Days for Global Peace with Justice is sponsored by the ecumenical Christian community and is grounded in biblical witness and the shared tradition of justice, peace and integrity of creation. The goal of EAD is “to strengthen our Christian voice and mobilize for advocacy on specific U.S. domestic and international policy issues.”

To register, access the online registration form. You may also register by mail by printing the conference brochure and completing the paper registration form.