Der Heilige Stuhl bittet die internationale Gemeinschaft, angesichts der Finanzkrise
die so genannten Millenniumsziele nicht zu vernachlässigen. Die Staaten sollten am
Ziel festhalten, die Zahl der Hungernden in der Welt bis 2015 zu halbieren, meinte
Vatikan-Vertreter Erzbischof Celestino Migliore am Montag in Katar. Auf einer internationalen
Konferenz zur Finanzierung von Entwicklung meinte er wörtlich: „Wenn politischer Wille
und Sorge für das Gemeinwohl zusammenkommen, dann sind wir – die Finanzkrise hat es
gezeigt – binnen weniger Monate dazu imstande, große Summen zusammenzubringen. Aus
den gleichen Gründen sollten wir ebenso viel politischen Willen und Sorge für das
Gemeinwohl aber auch aufbringen, wenn es um die Ärmsten und Verwundbarsten geht.“
(rv
02.12.2008 sk)
Wir dokumentieren hier die Vatikan-Stellungnahme im englischsprachigen
Original.
Statement by H.E. Archbishop Celestino Migliore Apostolic
Nuncio Permanent Observer of the Holy See
International Conference on
Financing for Development
Doha, Qatar, 1 December 2008
Mr. President,
Six years ago, world leaders gathered in Monterrey, Mexico to begin a new process
for addressing together the needs of the poorest amongst us. At that time, the world
was reeling from the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and the subsequent economic
decline, but despite these hurdles, it still came together to craft the Monterrey
Consensus which created a new vision for a shared future. Today, we meet
in Doha, Qatar to assess the lessons learned and to create ways and means for realizing
the vision of Monterrey. However, again we come with a cloud hanging over our heads:
the anxiety over the economic and political consequences of an unprecedented financial
crisis and the persistent devastating presence of terrorism, as evidenced by the tragic
events in Mumbai, India. This crisis presents an enormous challenge
in finding ways to address the concerns of those most in need. At its root, the financial
crisis is not a failure of human ingenuity, rather of moral conduct. Unbridled human
ingenuity crafted the systems and means for providing highly leveraged and unsustainable
credit limits which allowed people and companies alike to pursue material excess at
the expense of long-term sustainability. Unfortunately, we are now seeing the effects
of such short-term greed and lack of prudence, and as a result those who recently
were able to rise out of extreme poverty are now likely to fall back. We often
speak of sustainable development as an overarching principle for developing countries.
Sustainable development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability
of future generations to meet their needs. Likewise, sustainable financing should
meet the present capital needs for development, while ensuring the long-term preservation
and increase of resources. It is time for developed and developing countries alike
to reaffirm the principle of sustainable financial development apply it to financial
markets and thus create truly sustainable capital management. Such is the great challenge
of this Conference: nothing less than ensure, in a sustainable way, the financing
for development. Global development is, at its heart, a question not only of technical
logistics but more fundamentally of morality. Social and economic development must
be measured and implemented with the human person at the center of all decisions.
The last six years have seen an increase in aid flows and encouraging developments
in a number of indicators and statistics. However, questions remain: how many people
don't have access to food, how many live with fear of war and oppression, how many
do not have access to even basic healthcare and how many lack decent employment to
provide a living wage for themselves and their families? Unfortunately, the answer
remains: too many. These are the questions and concerns which must be at the heart
of our strategies in order to ensure that development is measured not only by capital
gain but more importantly by lives sustained. Since Monterrey, we have
again seen the importance for each and every country to uphold good governance in
order to provide the means for personal as well as global development. Governmental
leadership which provides for effective financial systems, just taxation, responsible
spending and good stewardship of the environment, sets the foundation for countries
upon which to build. Transparency, the rule of law and good governance guarantee the
stability and financial certainty needed in order to provide job creation, tax revenues
and long term growth. Further, good governance, respect for human rights and social
stability assure the means for civil society actors, including faith-based organizations,
to offer the life saving and life affirming services which are oftentimes beyond the
capacities of national and local governments. National governments need
the cooperation of the international community in order to accelerate economic and
human development. Since Monterey we have seen renewed commitment towards the target
of 0.7% Gross National Income in Official Development Assistance (ODA). However,
we still remain far behind this goal and have recently seen a slight decline in ODA.
Too often developed countries state that development assistance is too cumbersome,
yet such an explanation lacks sincerity, especially when we see the increase of military
spending at levels many times greater than development assistance. Similarly, the
recent financial crisis demonstrates that when political will is combined with concern
for the common good we are able to generate, within months, substantial funds for
financial markets which are far greater than the total amount of ODA expended since
Monterrey. Surely, it goes without saying that the same political will and concern
for the common good of the financial systems applies to the poorest and most vulnerable.
The international community must also give greater respect for the voices
of those countries and individuals most in need of financial assistance. The Bretton
Woods institutions need to be refocused and the so called G-8 and G-20 countries must
ensure that the voices of those who are in such need of development assistance are
heard and respected. A purely top down approach to development will remain insufficient
unless greater concern is given to those whose lives and countries are at stake. The
United Nations continues to serve as a vital forum for bringing all voices together
in order to foster greater global solidarity. Likewise, renewed attention
must be given to ensuring more just and equitable trade systems. These days we have
heard many calls for a greater commitment to implementing the Doha-Round trade talks.
However, these talks will continue to languish unless countries express the necessary
political fortitude to promote fair trade and make the inevitable required sacrifices.
Further, trade distorting subsidies, financial speculation, increased energy prices
and decreased investment in agriculture have recently given rise to lack of access
to the very thing which is necessary for life namely – food. This economic volatility,
which strikes at the heart of human existence, gives greater urgency to finding a
common commitment to addressing global trade and development.
Mr. President,
Uncertainty and anxiety seem to prevail at this particular point in time. However,
the virtues and principles which have lead the global community out of so many crises
remain; that of solidarity with our global community, just and equitable sharing in
resources and opportunity, prudent use of the environment, restraint from seeking
short-term financial and social gain at the expense of sustainable development, and
finally, the political courage which is necessary to build a world in which human
life is placed at the center of all social and economic activities. By embracing
these fundamental principles we will help to create a world in which social, economic
and spiritual growth is accessible to all. Thank you Mr. President.