• Background
• Policy Base

Background
The ELCA has been a long-time supporter of debt cancellation for poor countries through its partnership with the Jubilee USA Network, an alliance of 75 religious denominations and faith communities, human rights, environmental, labor, and community groups working for the definitive cancellation of crushing debts to fight poverty and injustice in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

As Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson stated in his letter of affirmation on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), “Debt has become a new form of slavery for the most impoverished countries, preventing them from investing in their people and entering into global markets.” Working toward 100% debt cancellation for the poorest countries in the world is an issue of justice and our success in achieving this goal will be a determining factor in the world’s success or failure in meeting the MDGs by 2015. 

Want to learn more? Read Jubilee USA's "Beginner's Guide to the Debt Crisis"

ELCA Policy Base
From social statements passed by the ELCA Churchwide Assembly

We call for "scrutiny of how specific policies and practices affect people and nations that are the poorest, and changes to make policies of economic growth, trade, and investment more beneficial to those who are poor."

We also urge "reduction of overwhelming international debt burdens in ways that do not impose further deprivations on the poor, and cancellation of some or all debt where severe indebtedness immobilizes a country's economy."  (p. 6)

Sufficient Sustainable Livelihood for All
Adopted by the ELCA Churchwide Assembly 1999