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By Brenda Clemons
2004.11
Imagine living in a place where you have no electricity, where there is no running water. The nearest water source is miles away. Your never went to school and your children do not attend school because the fees are too high. There are no clinics or doctors to go to if you are sick. Your children have not been immunized and are at risk to diseases like polio, malaria and TB. Your country is poor and highly indebted, meaning they owe huge amounts of money to the world's richest countries. The interest rates on these loans are so high that it is unlikely the debt could ever be repaid. Your country is trapped in an endless cycle of loans and repayment.
Now, imagine a debt-free world where money that was once used for debt payments is now freed up to be spent on the welfare of people. Countries that have received debt relief have been spending money on digging wells, and building schools and clinics. After receiving a reduction in the money they owe, Mozambique vaccinated 500,000 children and Tanzania eliminated school fees, allowing 1.5 million children to return to school.
A debt free world is not impossible and may be closer than we think, thanks to the efforts of the international group Jubilee. Jubilee is made up of activists, religious leaders, politicians and celebrities.
Jubilee was formed in 1997 with the goal of eradicating the world of debt. Taking its name from a passage in Leviticus where God called for all debts to be forgiven every seven years. Jubilee was endorsed by the Pope who proclaimed the year 2000 to be a year of jubilee.
In 2000, Jubilee won a major battle when US President Bill Clinton passed a bill granting $435 million in debt relief. Last spring, the International Monetary Fund discussed the possibility of eradicating debt and continued these discussions at its fall meetings.
But Jubilee could not have made these accomplishments without the support and actions of individuals. It's when governments hear from the masses that miracles such as debt relief happen. On the website of the organization's US branch you can click on international campaigns under partners and find links to all countries that have Jubilee grassroots organizations.
Jubilee is not without its friends, most notably Bono. He has met with world leaders on the group's behalf and during U2's 2001 Elevation tour, the band invited Jubilee along to meet with fans. Bono recently gave Jubilee a copy of "All That You Can't Leave Behind" which he personalized by writing notes in the sleeves and autographing it. At this very moment, that CD if being auctioned on eBay to benefit Jubilee. Visit this special eBay page to place a bid.
By Brenda Clemons
2004.11
Imagine living in a place where you have no electricity, where there is no running water. The nearest water source is miles away. Your never went to school and your children do not attend school because the fees are too high. There are no clinics or doctors to go to if you are sick. Your children have not been immunized and are at risk to diseases like polio, malaria and TB. Your country is poor and highly indebted, meaning they owe huge amounts of money to the world's richest countries. The interest rates on these loans are so high that it is unlikely the debt could ever be repaid. Your country is trapped in an endless cycle of loans and repayment.
Now, imagine a debt-free world where money that was once used for debt payments is now freed up to be spent on the welfare of people. Countries that have received debt relief have been spending money on digging wells, and building schools and clinics. After receiving a reduction in the money they owe, Mozambique vaccinated 500,000 children and Tanzania eliminated school fees, allowing 1.5 million children to return to school.
A debt free world is not impossible and may be closer than we think, thanks to the efforts of the international group Jubilee. Jubilee is made up of activists, religious leaders, politicians and celebrities.
Jubilee was formed in 1997 with the goal of eradicating the world of debt. Taking its name from a passage in Leviticus where God called for all debts to be forgiven every seven years. Jubilee was endorsed by the Pope who proclaimed the year 2000 to be a year of jubilee.
In 2000, Jubilee won a major battle when US President Bill Clinton passed a bill granting $435 million in debt relief. Last spring, the International Monetary Fund discussed the possibility of eradicating debt and continued these discussions at its fall meetings.
But Jubilee could not have made these accomplishments without the support and actions of individuals. It's when governments hear from the masses that miracles such as debt relief happen. On the website of the organization's US branch you can click on international campaigns under partners and find links to all countries that have Jubilee grassroots organizations.
Jubilee is not without its friends, most notably Bono. He has met with world leaders on the group's behalf and during U2's 2001 Elevation tour, the band invited Jubilee along to meet with fans. Bono recently gave Jubilee a copy of "All That You Can't Leave Behind" which he personalized by writing notes in the sleeves and autographing it. At this very moment, that CD if being auctioned on eBay to benefit Jubilee. Visit this special eBay page to place a bid.
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