EKD Press Releases
Representatives of world religions call prior to the Canada G8/G20 summit to take courageous decisions on combating poverty, climate protection and nuclear disarmament
June 25, 2010
In a joint declaration, over 70 representatives of the world religions have called on the heads of state and government of the G8 and G20 states to work harder to combat world poverty, protect the global climate and achieve nuclear disarmament.
In the final document of the three-day World Religions Summit 2010 in Winnipeg, Canada, faith leaders from all continents argue for visionary political decisions focusing on global well-being.
The final declaration (A Time for Inspired Leadership and Action) states:
"From our shared values we call on leaders to take courageous and concrete actions:
- to meet the immediate needs of the most vulnerable while simultaneously making structural changes to close the unacceptable growing gap between rich and poor;
- to prioritize long-term environmental sustainability and halt the harmful acceleration of climate change caused by us, while addressing its impacts on the poor; and
- to work for peace and remove factors that feed cycles of violent conflict and costly militarism."
The German Bishops Conference was represented at the World Religions Summit in Winnipeg conference by auxiliary bishop Dr. Johannes Bündgens (Aachen). Representing the Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) were OKR Dr. Martin Affolderbach (Hanover) and Rev. Jürgen Reichel (Bonn). This was the sixth such meeting prior to a G8 summit. The World Religions Summit concluded with an invitation to convene again in France in 2011.
Hanover, 25 June 2010
EKD Press Officer
Silke Römhild