Church, political leaders join Jubilee fast to drop debt

Campaigners across the world joined in a day of fasting last Friday as part of Jubilee Debt Campaign's Drop the Debt Fast.

The action was held to put pressure on G8 to pick up the pace on cancelling the debt of countries caught up in debt repayments whilst being unable to meet their goals to combat poverty.

The day of fasting marked 10 years to the day since 70,000 people formed a human chain around Birmingham to demand that the G8 'Drop the Debt'.

President Bharrat Jagdeo of Guyana showed his support for the Jubilee campaign by joining in the fast, saying that he "wholeheartedly" endorsed the initiative.

President Jagdeo was in Birmingham on 16 May 1998 as a guest of Jubilee 2000.

He continued: "I was privileged to be part of that event. The experience is permanently emblazoned in my memory. For me, Birmingham 1998 was a tremendous inspiration. I consider that particular event as a defining moment in history.

"The immensely successful public advocacy for debt relief at Birmingham precipitated a chain reaction throughout the global community hastening debt relief for many highly indebted poor countries, including my own country, Guyana.

"We in the developing world are deeply indebted to the Jubilee Movement and to its successor organisations that have continued to insist on a more just, humane and equitable international system."

President Jagdeo was joined in foregoing water and food between 8am and 8pm last Friday by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, former President of Tanzania Benjamin William Mkapa, former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord George Carey, as well as his wife Lady Eileen Carey, and Mrs Margaret Sentamu, wife of the Archbishop of York.

A video message from Archbishop Tutu was played during the Journey to Justice event on Sunday to mark the tenth anniversary of the human chain in Birmingham.

The Archbishop said, "We have long called for the cancellation of crippling debt. Ten years ago in Birmingham you forged a powerful link in the chain of action for change. It was a significant step on the journey to justice. But it is a journey that we must continue together."

In his letter agreeing to join the Drop the Debt Fast, he said "I commend you on the tremendous effort you and your supporters continue to put into the Jubilee Debt Campaign. It is fantastic and I am deeply appreciative."

Margaret Sentamu said, "This is the least I can do to help identify with the voiceless millions in Africa and the world over today."

Campaigners calling for the cancellation of poor country debts began a 36-day rolling fast on 12 April, demanding debt cancellation for 36 of the world's poorest countries, ten years after the G8 promised to drop the debt.

Stephen Rand, Co Chair of Jubilee Debt Campaign, said, "The rich world needs to pick up the pace as these countries are still suffering under a huge debt burden, while millions of their people live in extreme poverty."