Take Action: The Jubilee Act!
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Today, ONE members are asking their representatives to support the Jubilee Act – a bill that would cancel debt in developing countries that promise to use the savings for poverty reduction.
Developing countries like Haiti and Lesotho, which should be building schools and distributing malaria nets and AIDS drugs, are stuck paying back billions of dollars of debt, often racked up by corrupt dictators.
Please ask your representative to support the Jubilee Act.
Canceling debt has a real success rate for reducing poverty. When Tanzania’s debt was canceled in 2000, for example, the government was able to eliminate school fees and 1.5 million Tanzanian children enrolled in school almost overnight.
Right now, Sub-Saharan Africa pays $13 billion in debt service to wealthy nations and financial institutions every year, almost enough to pay for life-saving drugs to reverse the AIDS crisis that claims 7,000 lives each day.
We hope to send at least 40,000 letters to Congress by Oct 17. Please contact your representative in support of the Jubilee Act today.
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The ONE Blog is a daily log of the anti-poverty movement. The site is operated by ONE staff, with frequent contributions from volunteers, members and partner organizations.
The ONE Blog updates readers daily with the latest in global development news and analysis and what ONE members and our partners are doing around the world to influence world leaders in the fight against global poverty.
The content of each post and each comment represents the views of that author and does not necessarily reflect the views of ONE or ONE Action. ONE does not support or oppose any candidate for elected office, and any post expressing support or opposition for a candidate is not endorsed by ONE.
October 12, 2007 at 12:17 pm
Subject: Help make poverty history!
Hi,
I just sent a message urging my representative to support the Jubilee Act, which will relieve some of the debt that keeps many developing nations trapped in a cycle of poverty.
You can help this important bill move forward by taking action here: http://www.one.org/40days/
Thanks!
October 12, 2007 at 12:17 pm
Subject: Help make poverty history!
Hi,
I just sent a message urging my representative to support the Jubilee Act, which will relieve some of the debt that keeps many developing nations trapped in a cycle of poverty.
You can help this important bill move forward by taking action here: http://www.one.org/40days/
Thanks!
Babu Daniel
October 12, 2007 at 3:23 pm
Hi,
A message to my representative to support the Jubilee Act, which will relieve some of the debt that keeps many developing nations trapped in a cycle of poverty.
You can help this important bill move forward by taking action here: http://www.one.org/40days/
October 12, 2007 at 4:37 pm
This legislation seems to be common sense, but there should be an amendment included to allow for suspension of the debt pending compliance by the affected countries and their governments. If the debt suspension leads to real and lasting change, then, and only then, should the debt be cancelled.
October 12, 2007 at 5:18 pm
I have just sent a message to my represtative to support the Jublee Act. I am hoping it will relieve some of the debt that keeps many people out of the cycle of poverty.
October 13, 2007 at 5:48 am
Subject: Help make poverty history!
Hi,
I just sent a message urging my representative to support the Jubilee Act, which will relieve some of the debt that keeps many developing nations trapped in a cycle of poverty.
You can help this important bill move forward by taking action here:
http://www.one.org/40days/
Thanks!
October 13, 2007 at 8:34 am
I just sent the message urging my representative to support the Jubilee Act, which will not only help in ending the vicious cycle of poverty in developing nations, but will protect us and our children in the long-run against a larger AIDS epidemic. The Jubillee Act would also support a more educated world that can lead to a most promising future.
October 13, 2007 at 4:51 pm
Yea i send a message to my representatives, urging them to make a stand against poverty, The US can make a new image for itself in the world arena, and that is through leading the fight against poverty in 3rd world nations.
October 14, 2007 at 3:34 am
I just sent the message to my representative. We need to be forwarding sane and human policies that will help other people here and around the world. I want to see our government demostrate real leadership by considering the passage of this particular piece of legislation.
October 14, 2007 at 11:29 am
hi! i just sent a message to my representatives. i really hope that we would all be able to help the developing countries thru the Jubilee Act.
October 14, 2007 at 3:08 pm
I hope that we would be able to do justice to developing nations!!!
October 14, 2007 at 3:46 pm
I added a note to stop selling weapons to dictators and to make sure that US AID money gets to the people who need the help.
October 15, 2007 at 1:42 am
i know that the Jubilee Act will make a diffenrence especially to those people suffering from poverty, its good to know that there are really those who care… Godbless them… i hope for the success of the Jubilee Act bill…
October 16, 2007 at 9:48 am
hi
October 16, 2007 at 2:19 pm
This is the right thing to do here. As a Republican, Conservative Catholic, I’m thinking we must reach out to these poor nations and not only extend debt relief, but follow up with sound business opportunities modeled after our own free enterprise system and spread a little capitalism. The US should lead this effort. We should invest not only money but resources and educate the children so future generations will be able to compete on a global scale. Teach a man to fish, but provide all that he needs to do so. I’m talking real help here, from the ground up.
Every so often a Priest from the Marryknolls or Cross Intl. will visit our parish and speak at mass and we give, we give because it’s the right thing to do. But the story is always the same, it never changes. Sure things get a little better and you have to sit in wonder of how giving these priests are and how noble their efforts are… true men of God and I applaud them all. But isn’t it time we really invest in changing their system and propel them into the global economy? I don’t want to change their culture, just their economy… for the better.
October 16, 2007 at 3:29 pm
What better way to observe World Food Day than to make poverty and hunger history, so let’s do all we can to be One in this campaign!
October 16, 2007 at 5:46 pm
If we are truly ” one nation under God ” then we must work as one nation and put an end to poverty and suffering of fellow human beings.
October 16, 2007 at 7:08 pm
I am from Sierra Leone. Consistantly on the UN poorest country list. I feel proud and greatful for the One organization, and the work they do and all the people who take time to make all poor countries and mine particular free from the cripling debt that will only lead to more suffering.
October 16, 2007 at 7:50 pm
I just sent a letter to my representative. Tomorrow is my youngest son’s 4th birthday. God willing, there is a very good chance he will make it to his 5th birthday next year just fine. Where he lives does decide if he lives or dies. We all have the power to change that fact if we keep yelling LOUD enough!!! Keep on supporting the Jubilee Act and the Global Child Survival Act.
October 17, 2007 at 10:40 am
The ONE campaign is the most intelligent, reasonable, and effective solution presented in our lifetime. All voters should recognize this so that the politicians are forced to recognize this if they expect to hold office in the future.
October 17, 2007 at 10:48 am
Thankyou one.org for the opportunity to help others. Together we can help other nations to get a fighting chance that we really need. It is sad that the children must suffer. We can all learn by Reverend David Duncombe who is on the thirty-ninth day of his forty-day fast, and we hope to match his great efforts on the Jubilee Act by delivering 1,000 letters to Congress for every day of his fast. We are at 75% of our goal of sending 40,000 letters by tomorrow, and we need your help to get there.
And quoting Louise Lange from above
“If we are truly ” one nation under God ” then we must work as one nation and put an end to poverty and suffering of fellow human beings.”
Lisa
October 17, 2007 at 10:50 am
Please e-mail your friends we must all try to do more today that is all we really have.
Blessings to you,
Lisa
October 18, 2007 at 7:06 am
Together as “One” we can do this!
October 18, 2007 at 10:20 pm
wakekekeke
October 23, 2007 at 3:58 pm
It will be a lot less expensive and much more enlightened to do this now, than to have to rebuild from the possible negative impact of continuously ignoring these issues. NIMBY shouldn’t be the catchphrase of our elected leaders.
While I’m thinking about it, why not divert the extra $43 billion the administration wants to use to support these trying wars into oh, I don’t know, perhaps rebuilding New Orleans, funding education, promoting goodwill??
My apologies for the rant.
Later Taters!
October 23, 2007 at 6:04 pm
I have been to West Africa twice and I can tell you first hand that conditions are extreemely bad there in many areas. The recent flooding has displaced thousands upon thousands, have wrecked their homes, schools, and other structures.
They need help and they need help now. The problem is that in almost all of these countries the government is so corrupt that the money doesnt reach those who need it, it lines the pockets of those in power.
I would like to see a bill in the future that would require that when substantial amounts of money are sent to African countries, that a portion of that money be used to send someone to live in that country during the time that the money is dispursed and to oversee the spending of the money so that the citizens are affected by it. I have seen too much money go into these countries that never do anything for the citizens and it is heartbreaking.
October 24, 2007 at 6:01 am
The Jubilee Act, and debt reduction is the path to world peace, and is the moral imperative. In the Old Testament, God asks that we have a Jubilee every 50 years, where we return what was taken by force. This Jubilee is long overdue, but, it is not to late to make ammends. We can not expect our children to grow up with a firm moral standing if we do not set a good example. There is no reason that a poor country should be paying intrest on loans instad of feeding and educating it’s most vunerable citizens. I speak not only for myself, but also as the voice of friends long gone. As one of The Clash crew members I had long talks with Joe Strummer, Alen Ginsberg, and Joey Ramone and we all felt, as one, that the Jubilee should be observed. The time is right to make poverty history
October 24, 2007 at 7:27 pm
The Jubilee Act, and debt reduction is the path to world peace, and is the moral imperative. In the Old Testament, God asks that we have a Jubilee every 50 years, where we return what was taken by force. This Jubilee is long overdue, but, it is not to late to make ammends. We can not expect our children to grow up with a firm moral standing if we do not set a good example. There is no reason that a poor country should be paying intrest on loans instad of feeding and educating it’s most vunerable citizens. I speak not only for myself, but also as the voice of friends long gone. As one of The Clash crew members I had long talks with Joe Strummer, Alen Ginsberg, and Joey Ramone and we all felt, as one, that the Jubilee should be observed. The time is right to make poverty history.
I am man West Papua. My E-mail: lehim_yoka@yahoo.co.id
October 25, 2007 at 7:52 am
Hi, am extremely touched by the information about Liiberia. The countries around or within the Sub saharan Africa has been under influence since Western colonists came to Africa,. The consequences of the African developing countries should be blamed on the so called ‘perpetrators of human rights’ countries, Britain and other European countries, and these EUs should find a way of stoping the problem. They are the same ones who make Africans appear as redundant population who have really to be assisted, but how,?. Since already through offering aid to Africans, they only want the people to die faster, by milking out their remaining resources, in the form of unconditional dept payment which The indepted realises later and is not based on equal agreement but a more like ‘am stronger and i make the decision’ talk. The US , UK, AND OTHER COUNTRIES, are the superpower who always do the right thing, I mean don’t you think that it is time the voice of Africans be heard? Especially when all they want is to move on and the IMF TO WRITE OFF THE DEPTS AMONG OTHER DEVELOPING COUNTRIES INCLUDING LIBERIA.This is crucial if One among the United states really want to eradicate poverty.
October 25, 2007 at 3:13 pm
Debt relief is crucial to Sub Saharan Africa’s future. I just completed a master’s level course on the geography and demographics of the continent, taught by a brilliant Nigerian hydrologist. It was beyond eye-opening… if you want to really understand the magnitude and breadth of the issues facing these diverse nations, go sign up for an African geography class. You will learn why it is the perfect storm for drought, disease and unequal population distribution. And contrary to what you might think, it seems to have less to do with colonialism (shameful as that was/is) and more to do with African leaders and international policies.
The ONE campaign is the most unique grassroots movement going on today, with its diversity and its passion for justice. We must love our brothers and sisters in word and deed if we are to see progress – that’s what ONE is about, IMO.
November 2, 2007 at 5:18 am
I just sent a message urging my representative to support the Jubilee Act, which will relieve some of the debt that keeps many developing nations trapped in a cycle of poverty.
November 2, 2007 at 5:19 am
I just sent a message urging the IMF to fulfill a promise they made to cancel Liberia’s debt. Right now they are saddled with $4.5 billion of debt that was accumulated under corrupt dictator Samuel Doe. If the IMF were to fulfill its promise to cancel this debt the democratic government could dedicate resources to fighting poverty and rebuilding their country after 14 years of civil war.