*Partnership. This economic relationship promotes mutuality of benefits.

*Respect.Local peoples and realities are valued.For instance, “A gift of rice is notallowed to destroy the local economy's ability to produce rice.” (Bishop Zaché Duracin)

*Empowerment. This economic relationship values mutuality of process.For instance, the developing nation's government, commercial leadership, labor, and civil institutions are engaged fully in the economic decision-making.

*Oneness with creation.The economic relationship displays sensitivity to the environment.

*Distributive justice. The economic impact of the relationship contributes to the well-being of a significant number of people, and does not promote extreme inequities within the country.

*People-centered development. If development assistance is offered, the beneficiaries set priorities and conditions. Maximum use is made of local resources.Applied technologies are appropriate for the setting.

STABILITY IN SOUTH AFRICA

In 1994 in South Africa the cruel apartheid regime was toppled in an unparalleled bloodless revolution.For centuries a tiny white minority had oppressed the black majority with increasingly hostile measures.Nelson Mandela was elected president in a democratic election.

The new government possesses severely limited economic resources to reverse the legacy of apartheid, especially the shabby education system that served to keep ninety percent of the population illiterate and living in rank poverty."We need a massive public works program like that of the New Deal," advises Sheena Duncan, a leader of the Social Responsibilities Team of the Province of Southern Africa. 

"We need to advocate ways to help democracy to take root," the Archbishop of the Church of the Province of Southern Africa Njongonkulu Ndungane stresses."Totalitarian alternatives thrive when there is little hope.For democracy to survive we must address the fundamentals that beset us.Poverty and inequality are the major legacies of apartheid."

Economist Jeffrey Sachs argues: "A much more important challenge, as yet mainly unrecognized, is that of mobilizing global science and technology to address the crises of public health, agricultural productivity, environmental degradation and demographic stress" The Economist August 14, 1999: 17-20.

"South Africa is like Germany after World War II.We need another London Accord of 1953, a new 'Marshall Plan' with a massive injection of capital for development of jobs and education, with money from Britain, Germany, and the USA (as countries who did business with the old South Africa), and we need to assure transparency so that the money goes solely for development" (Archbishop Ndungane).

The Episcopal Church's $500,000 loan to Shared Interest in 1999 for support of micro-enterprise projects in South Africa is an example of what can be done to be helpful.

The United States was one of the last countries to enforce sanctions against the apartheid government."Should we not apologize?" we asked Archbishop Ndungane."Yes, but only if you also acknowledge the important contributions that the Episcopal Church [U.S.A.] gave to our struggle.When Bishop Tutu spoke, the apartheid government knew that the Episcopal Church was also speaking through him, as indeed was the whole Communion."

Resolution A000 Economic hope and stability for South Africa

Resolved, the House of __________ concurring, That this 73^rdGeneral Convention of the Episcopal Church urges the government of the United States to increase aid and private investment in South Africa specifically targeted to improve the education system and other programs to lift the poor out of their poverty. 

Resolution A00 Commendation of South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation

Commission

Resolved, the House of __________ concurring, That this 73^rd General Convention commends the new government for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.The Commission and its Chair, The Most Rev. Desmond Tutu, have set a splendid example of Christian principle at its best in forgoing revenge and forgiving the perpetrators of injustice under apartheid who have been willing to confess their deeds.

Resolution A00 Apology for U.S. Complicity with South Africa's

Apartheid Government

Resolved, the House of ____________ concurring, That this 73^rd General Convention calls on the government of the United States to apologize to the people of South Africa for our long complicity in supporting the apartheid government and our long delay in instituting economic sanctions to support the democratic movement.

EXPORTING OF US-MADE HANDGUNS

The crime rate has risen dramatically in much of the developing world.For example, in South Africa there were 33.6 murders per day in 1998 and 109.4 armed robberies per day. Recently violence with guns has overtaken other violent means of attack. South Africa issued 183,000 gun licenses in 1998 alone. Urban crime is more sophisticated, employing the young unemployed. Similar conditions exist throughout the world and were especially noted on our visits to Haiti and the Dominican Republic. People urged us, "Please seek to curb the export of US-made handguns."

Resolution A000 Prohibit the Export of US-Made Handguns

Resolved, the House of ____________ concurring, That this 73^rd General Convention urges the US government to prohibit the export of handguns.

AN EPISCOPAL YOUTH CORPS

Within the United States and throughout the Anglican Communion, there is a great need for servant ministry.In much of the Episcopal Church we treat our young people as clients instead of disciples with their own ministries, their own experience of Jesus to share. ECUSA now loses a large number of our young people aged 17-30, many of whom never return.Yet many of these have enormous gifts, great compassion, and a strong willingness to serve.A strong Episcopal Youth Corps could bring much skill to places most in need throughout the Anglican Communion.The resources exist; we need the vision and the will to enable the ministry. Imagine the blessing to those served as a generation of young Episcopalians moves quietly through the Communion teaching, training others to use computers, organizing community centers, helping to build housing et al.Imagine the sacred legacy years later as these Episcopalians move into positions of leadership in our national and church life having been shaped and informed by an experience of moving one to two years in the world as a servant.

Resolution A000 Episcopal Youth Corps

Resolved, the House of ____________ concurring, That this 73^rd General Convention calls on the Executive Council to establish an Episcopal Youth Corps to engage in servant ministry throughout the Anglican Communion, and be it further 

Resolved that the Executive Council provide $300,000 as seed money for a pilot project over the next triennium, with this amount directed solely to establish and maintain the networks and train the volunteers, who, with the help of Episcopal Ministries with Young People, will be expected to raise money to fund most of their ministry.

AIDS AND THE AVAILABILITY OF MEDICATIONS

AIDS virus infections continue to rise worldwide. The number of people infected had risen to 33.6 million by December 1999. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the area hardest hit by the AIDS pandemic, one in eight South Africans, one in seven Kenyans, and one in four Zimbabweans has HIV/AIDS.In South Africa, where there are 1500 new HIV infections daily (65% of these are among people between the ages of 15 and 25), a month's supply of AZT costs R400 (US$80) a month and the more effective combination of drugs R2000 (US$334) a month. Yet 60% of South Africans live on a monthly income ranging only from R460 to R2680. Similar situations exist throughout the world, as for example in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Southeast Asia.

Health workers cannot provide adequate treatment under these circumstances, and governments around the world are becoming increasingly desperate in their search for waysto provide affordable drugs -- sometimes feeling compelled to find ways of skirting international trade agreements. Finding a compassionate, just, and equitable solution to this problem, without jeopardizing research and development work, is of paramount importance. 

Resolution A00 AIDS Drugs Availability at Affordable Prices

Resolved, the House of ________concurring, That this 73^rd General Convention supports compassionate initiatives to make AIDS-related medications available at affordable prices to infected persons throughout the world, especially in the poorest and neediest nations; and be it further 

Resolved, That this 73^rd General Convention urges the United States government to work with other governments to find ways both to make affordable drugs available and to provide for continued research and development of AIDS-related medications.

REFERRAL OF KUALA LUMPUR STATEMENT ON SEXUALITY

The 72nd General Convention referred to the Commission Resolution B032 regarding the sexuality portion of what has become known as The Kuala Lumpur Statement.The Commission studied the full document, which includes proposals on international debt, severalarticles exploring the background and development of the statement, and the related Lambeth resolution that adopted some of the Kuala Lumpur language. For us what stands out regarding Kuala Lumpur, Lambeth, and subsequent statements and happenings is the paucity of intra-provincial understanding and communication within the Anglican Communion on matters of cultural differences and differing theological/scriptural approaches. As the "Virginia Report" [a pre-Lambeth document] points out, "An important function of life in communion is always to remain attentive to one another....attentiveness to the particularity of peoples, times, and places." To this end, moves by the leadership of the Communion to improve understanding and communication are of utmost importance.

We commend especially the efforts of our Presiding Bishop, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Anglican Consultative Council, and the Anglican Peace and Justice Network to find opportunities to follow through on the commitment "to listen to the experience of homosexual people" (I.1.10).Members of this Commission honored that commitment themselves by listening at the World Council of Churches 8^th Assembly in Harare, Zimbabwe (Dec. 1998) and during the visit of three Commissioners to Mozambique and South Africa (Aug. 1999) to the experiences of gay and lesbian persons in Africa. It is clear to us that the commitment can only truly be honored here and abroad if we create "safe spaces" for lesbian and gay stories to be told.

Resolution A00 Identification of "Safe Spaces"

Resolved, that the House of ________concurring, That the Executive Council establish a formal process for parishes to identify themselves as "safe spaces" for lesbians and gays to tell their stories and be heard with love and care, and be it further

Resolved, That the Presiding Bishop's staff work with counterparts within the Anglican Communion to encourage similar "safe spaces" within the Communion.

HAITI AND THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Three members of the Commission (Duracin, Batjer, Macneice) spent five days inHaiti and the Dominican Republic.Two weeks prior to the visit the island had suffered the effects of Hurricane Georges, and much of the already bad economies and the physical structures of the countries were further damaged.

Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.This has come about by a series of dictators, who, over the years have ravaged the country.Although free elections have been held, the result of those years of corruption has left the country with no infrastructure, a 60% unemployment rate, a non-functional government, and a countryside that has been destroyed by deforestation.Furthermore, the per capita income of 70% of the population is around $125 per year. Substantive assistance from the international community has been ineffective.

The Episcopal Church is growing in Haiti by showing the hope of the gospel and the face of Christ in the community. The church has taken a lead in education, job training and health care. Education is something that has to be urgently addressed if the country is to regain its ability to stand on its own.The Commissioners visited schools run by the church and were particularly impressed by the school for the handicapped children-- the only one in Haiti -- that also makes prostheses for those requiring artificial limbs.The church runs an excellent hospital as well as a home for elderly women. The Commissioners were impressed with the work the church is doing regarding the problem of migration -- especially to the neighboring Dominican Republic. 

Resolution A00 Funding a Joint Commission to Work on Migration Problem for Haiti and the Dominican Republic

Resolution A00 Helping Haiti Develop Its Agricultural Infrastructure 

Resolution A00 Increasing Awareness of Haiti’s and Promoting Assistance to Haiti 

Resolved,  The House of ______ concurring, That this 73^rd General Convention calls on the Executive Council, the Presiding Bishop’s Fund for World Relief, the United Thank Offering, and the dioceses of ECUSA to make themselves more aware of the needs of Haiti and to send, on the approval of the ecclesiastical authority there, help – not just money – in the form of teachers for schools, instructors to assist farmers to regain their land for agricultural purposes, and medical personnel for hospitals. 

Okinawa

One Commissioner (Trichel) attended the last in a series ofpilgimages from the main islands of Japan to Okinawa on the occasion ofOkinawa Memorial Day.The 1998 event brought together people representing every diocese in Nippon Sei Ko Kai and several in Korea. 

Participants were grateful for General Convention resolutions on their behalf, such as resolutions calling for the US to consider the effect of American military presence on local populations everywhere.

The Peace Committee of Nippon Sei Ko Kai requested assistance in learning strategies for peace education and for advocacy and action.Participants also requested that ECUSA continue tospeak with our government on the problems between US military personnel and Okinawan civilians, as provided in a 1997 General Convention resolution. 

China Christian Council

Four members of the Episcopal Church in the United States visited Nanjing, China, June 29 - July 1, 1998, to follow up on General Convention resolutions calling for dialogue with the church in China around issues of human rights, especially Tibet, and policies of U.S. companies doing business in China.The delegation included two members of this Commission (Macneice and Trichel).Focusing on human rights implications of Tibet, economic investment, and religious freedom, the delegation met with the President of the China Christian Council, Dr. Han Wenzao, and The Secretary General of the CCC, The Rev. Bao Jia-Yuan.Dr. Han expressed unqualified appreciation for the final text of the resolution on Tibet and its gracious tone and language.He invited the church to direct other such concerns, written in similar language, directly to the Chinese government with copies to the CCC.

The delegation met separately with an internationally revered bishop from the Anglican tradition, K.H. Ting. Both the bishop and Dr. Han cited problems of greed and corruption as the spiritual challenges facing the church in China.

The delegation recommended continued contact with the China Christian Council and the church in China, especially through mutual exchanges of laity and clergy.

Israel/ Palestine

One Commissioner (Trichel) joined a delegation from the Episcopal Peace and Justice Network for Global Concerns to the University of Bethlehem, Palestine National Authority to attend a peace and justice conference entitled "Jubilee 2000: What Does the Lord Require?"The conference, sponsored by Sabeel, an ecumenical Palestinian organization, focused on the history of the Palestinian experience, particularly since 1948, the need for land reform, and Jerusalem as an international capital.A second Commissioner (Weiss) traveled independently to Jerusalem and met with the Rev. Naim Ateek, founder of Sabeel.The Commission sees the Episcopal Peace and Justice Network as the appropriate body to continue work on the existing resolutions on Israel/ Palestine and Jerusalem.

Religious Persecution

As requested in Resolution D016s, the entire Commission heard testimony on religious persecution in several parts of the world and sent one member to the Global Mission conference on suffering churches (Westigard). 

Persons of all faiths are persecuted because of their beliefs.The suffering is widespread.The Church recognizes the freedom to believe and worship according to one’s conscience as a basic human right.We commend the United States Congress for passing the “International Religious Freedom Act” in October 1998.The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations was a major force in the enactment of this legislation.The Church must continue to “Hear the Cry” and aid, support, and offer refuge to victims of persecution.We must promote understanding and tolerance among faiths and respect for religious liberty.Finally, persecution must not be countered with our own intolerance.
 

FINANCIAL REPORT

 

	1998	1999	2000	Total
Income
Block Grant				$50,000
Supplemental Grant				$12,000
Total				$62,000.00

 

Expenses
Administrative	$348	$70		$418.00
Full Commission Meetings	$13,606	$19,580		$33,186.00
Sub-Committee Meetings (Site Visits)	$496	$13,580		$14,076.00
Total	$14,450.00	$33,230.00		$47,680.00
Balance				$14,320

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR THE COMING TRIENNIUM

PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THE COMING TRIENNIUM

 

	2001	2002	2003	Total
Non-Staff/ Consultant	$200	$400	$200
Administrative	$275	$400	$150
Full Commission Meetings	$17,525	$16,000
Sub-Committee Meetings (Site Visits)		$23,200	$4,650
Total	$18,000.00	$40,000.00	$5,000.00	$63,000.00

PROPOSED RESOLUTION FOR BUDGET APPROPRIATION

RESOLUTION #A-000

Funding for the Standing Commission on Anglican and International Peace with Justice Concerns Budget Appropriation

Resolved, the House of concurring, That the sum of $63,000 be appropriated for the triennium 2001 - 2003 from the General Convention Budget for the expenses of the Standing Commission on Anglican and International Peace with Justice Concerns.