4 Financial Stability and Debt
Event: Continuing Plunder! Brutal Extraction of Africa’s Resources
The largescale transfer of wealth out of Africa drives much of today’s global affairs, and also explains much of yesterday’s. For four centuries outsiders have been plundering and carting away Africa’s natural resource wealth on an astonishing scale. The webinar will shine a light on key facets of the continuing pillaging of Africa in our time, the 21st century and will highlight how brutal this extraction remains with instigated wars, dangerous poisons, significant human and animal displacement and unsightly filth inflicting destruction on the people as well as on the fauna, flora and water sources of the once-lush environment.
Press Release: COVID Defense Act Must Include Accountability Measures
Today, the “COVID Defense Act” was formally introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representative Mark Pocan. If passed, this act will provide additional resources to ensure global access to vaccines as part of the U.S. national security strategy by rescinding “1.3 percent of total defense spending” and authorizing “the same amount for international COVID vaccine production and distribution.” The Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN) calls on Members of Congress to ensure that if passed, the act will also include measures to keep kleptocrats in check through accountability mechanisms.
Video Premiere: World Bank’s Doing Business Report is Busted
On September 16, 2021 the World Bank announced the end of their publication the Doing Business Report (DBR) after a review that was sparked by data irregularities that were found. The Africa Faith and Justice Network’s policy analyst Jacques Bahati’s will discuss the significance of this news on YouTube September 20, 2021 at 2:00 pm ET (US and Canada).
Organizations Tell Congress to Support the Counter-Kleptocracy Act
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASESeptember 10, 2021 Washington, DC – Today, the Africa Faith and Justice Network along with over…
Press Statement: Coalition of Over 50 Organizations Issues Statement on Historic IMF’s Release of 450 Billion in SDRs
Washington, DC – On Monday the Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN), along with a coalition of over 50 organizations, issued the joint statement “Groups Urge US Senate to Authorize Additional Relief to Combat the COVID-19 Crisis” regarding the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) release of 450 billion in Special Drawing Rights (SDRs). These funds did not require United States Congressional approval and are insufficient to address the needs of the nations suffering under heavy debt burdens exacerbated by the pandemic. The coalition is calling on all members of Congress, particularly the United States Senators to move quickly and pass legislation that would increase the amount of SDRs to 2 trillion dollars.
AFJN Call to Action During World Day Against Trafficking in Persons
Today, on this World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, the world acknowledges the millions of people who are being trafficked around the globe. According to the United Nations’ “Global Report on Trafficking in Persons 2020” over “50 percent” of trafficked people were for “sexual exploitation”.
AFJN’s ACT Project July 2021 Report
The Africa Faith and Justice Network just released our July 2021 Report on our efforts in Ghana as part of the African Church Together (ACT) to Fight Against Corruption Project. Read the full report here:
The Release of $650 Billion of the International Monetary Fund’s SDRs Must Include Transparency and Accountability Measures
Washington, DC – Today, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) issued a press release noting that the IMF Executive Board supported the “general allocation of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs).” The new allocation of $650 billion is three-times more than what was approved during the 2008 crises and is the largest amount to date. The IMF’s Board of Governors still needs to approve the new allocation. While many are enthusiastic about issuance of these needed financial resources to nations who are struggling due to the pandemic, the Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN) urges the IMF to insist that strong accountability and transparency measures be put in place to ensure that these monies will go where intended and will not be squandered away.
AFJN Reflections on the International Day of the African Child
AFJN’s Sr. Eucharia Madueke, SNDdeN provides reflections on the International Day of the African Child and the video premiere of Mmadueke Onyinye Silvia’s spoken poem “Africa, My Africa”
AFJN Celebrates the 1-Year Anniversary of CALAR’s Declaration with a YouTube Video
On May 25, 2021, at 2:00 am ET (US and Canada; 9:00 am Kenya) the Africa Faith…
Ecumenical Advocacy Days Conference 04/10-04/21- Imagine! God’s Earth and People Restored
The Ecumenical Advocacy Days are back virtually in 2021 advocating for Climate Justice! This years is Imagine! God’s Earth and People Restored. EAD 2021 is an opportunity to support this global movement centered on and led by the people and communities most vulnerable to climate impacts due to historic racial and colonial inequities. Together, we will passionately advocate and reimagine a world that lives out the values of justice, equity and the beloved community.
Press Statement: Africa Faith and Justice Network Applauds WTO Firsts in the Appointment of Nigerian Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as Director-General
The General Council of the World Trade Organization (WTO) voted to appoint Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, from Nigeria, as Director-General beginning March 1, 2021. Dr. Okonjo-Iweala is both the first African and the first female appointed to this position.
Africa Faith and Justice Network 2020 End of Year Report: Activities and Highlights
Read the End of Year Report and learn how the Africa Faith and Justice Network managed to further in our mission even amid the COVID Pandemic.
Press Statement: Coalition Urges Biden Administration to Have a Global Response to Covid-19
On Thursday, a coalition of dozens of organizations, including the Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN), sent a letter to President-Elect Joseph Biden urging him to support a global response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Coalition Letter to President-Elect Joseph Biden for a Global Strategy to COVID-19 Pandemic
As groups that work on international humanitarian, development and labor issues, we were heartened to hear you announce that, as part of the future administration’s COVID19 response efforts, you are committed to strengthening U.S. global leadership to fight the pandemic.
No Nation is Safe if COVID-19 is in Any Other Country – We Must Act as One (Video Premiere)
With a better understanding of the transmission of the the SARS-CoV-2 virus, we know that no nation is safe if it remains anywhere in the world.
Is Foreign Aid to Africa Relevant? – Video Premiere with Mrs. Imani Countess
Tune in to the Africa Faith and Justice Network’s (AFJN) YouTube Channel today, December 11th, at 2:00 pm ET (US and Canada) by clicking here, for our YouTube Video Premiere “Is Foreign Aid to Africa Relevant?” with Mrs. Imani Countess, Director at U.S./Africa Bridge Building Project and Fellow at the Open Society Foundation. Mrs. Countess works on issues of illicit financial flows and their devastating effect on developing countries.
Covid-19 Global Response a Must – AFJN YouTube Video Premiere
Learn why there must be a Global Response to COVID-19 that includes Special Drawing Rights by watching this video.
Tell Senate to Support a Global Strategy to fight COVID-19
To prevent and stop the global economy from further collapsing, as was the case in 2008, to protect further losses of U.S. jobs, and to save lives the Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN) is asking the Senate to support the issuance of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The SDRs are special bonds to member nations and SDRs do not cost the U.S. anything. We are also asking for debt relief and additional foreign aid to respond to humanitarian crises and COVID-19 related challenges.
