2007 World Conference Legislation

H-3 Human Rights Committee Report

To the First Presidency and the World Conference:
In the First Presidency’s instructions to the Human Rights Committee for this inter-Conference period, the committee is charged to serve “as a forum for church members, to be supportive of congregationally based activities, and to ‘Listen to the voice of the voiceless’ (Desmond Tutu).” As always, world affairs continue to reveal matters that call for human rights advocacy and education. In its effort to be responsive to emerging human rights issues and to pay particular heed to the most vulnerable, the committee worked throughout the last two-and-a-half years on various human rights concerns. Our work is summarized in the following points.

Education and Awareness
One of the major items tasked to the committee was the drafting of a declaration on globalization (included at the end of this report). This assignment was prompted by the enacting of WCR 1284. Selected committee members were asked to research the topic. In addition, the committee consulted with several guests who could offer light on this subject, particularly from the perspective of faith. Furthermore, the committee’s own members bring helpful perspectives to this topic, particularly those from outside the United States. Gustavo Vergara, author of WCR 1284 and a full-time minister serving the church in Santiago, Chile, has had many firsthand encounters with both the benefits and detriments of globalization. These experiences led him to bring this matter to the attention of the World Conference in order for the church to grapple with this global issue from the perspective of the gospel.

One breakthrough insight that served to catalyze the committee’s understanding came courtesy of author Anthony Giddens, who observes that globalization has the effect of the “emptying of the locale,” in which community identity is weakened as global linkages intensify. It is here that the Community of Christ has a clear purpose. As promoters of community based in Christ’s peace, there is a clear connection for our mission and ministries in the context of globalization.

Affirmation and Advocacy
Basis or preface for statements
From the first meeting, the committee recognized the need to establish the basis from and context in which we would issue any statements. Such a basis would be primarily theological, motivated by and grounded in Community of Christ scripture and tradition. Following is the text of this preface.

The Human Rights Committee 2004–2007 consists of sixteen people appointed by the First Presidency from nominations received from members of the Community of Christ. We are seven women and nine men from Australia, USA, Chile, UK, and Kenya, with backgrounds in ministry, education, human rights advocacy, health and human services, and law. Our charge is to explore how the church can respond to human rights issues around the world [WCR 1197].

Our basic objectives include

• advocacy of the worth of all persons;
• human rights education; and
• facilitating discussion on global human rights issues.

When we focus on a given item, we do so because we believe that it touches the core values of the Community of Christ and should therefore be presented to our members and friends for consideration. Our goal is to inform church members and friends of what we think are the central issues; to highlight the principal perspectives that are being expressed about them; to encourage you to develop your own position on the matter; and to offer you opportunities to take action.

Statement against Torture
Early in 2005, the committee began drafting a statement against torture. Because of the ongoing crisis of the practice of torture by many nations and groups and growing attention to this issue in the human rights community, committee members felt that we should raise the concern to the church through a statement. After considerable time and research in which concerted effort was made to reflect the international scope of both the issue itself and the church’s milieu, a statement was forwarded to the First Presidency for the consideration of the World Church Leadership Council. On consultation with the First Presidency and with the approval of the WCLC, the statement was released in the May 2006 Herald. The statement may be accessed at www.CofChrist.org/peacejustice/pj-torture.asp.

Statement on Immigration
Similar to the concerns about torture, the committee began in early 2006 to explore the issue of immigration and its effects in the lives of members and families in the Community of Christ. After a period of exploration and deliberation, the committee drafted a statement on immigration in the hope that it would establish a theological ground for understanding the issue, help inform the church membership about immigration, and invite individuals and congregations to take affirmative action through ministries among and for immigrants. The First Presidency received the statement with appreciation and is currently considering its best implementation for the church.

Ethical Investment Practices
• Our exploration of globalization led us to the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR), a thirty-year-old coalition of 275 faith-based institutional investors that promotes socially responsible investing that works for peace, economic justice, and stewardship of the earth, including pressing companies to change unjust or harmful corporate policies.

• Working with the Presiding Bishopric, steps were taken to join ICCR as well as to explore a review of the church’s investment policy. Existing policy used the long-held screening criteria of alcohol, tobacco, gambling, and pornography. The committee expressed the desire to extend these criteria in order that such standards closely reflect World Conference resolutions on such matters as human rights and peace.

• Special appreciation is expressed to members of the Presiding Bishopric, whose support of this discussion led to the formation of a special focus team. The team was chartered by the First Presidency to review existing policy and recommend a new “Policy on the Moral and Ethical Issues of Investment.” It was composed of two members each from the Human Rights Committee and the Investment Committee. Brenda Williams, who served as chair of the team, and Ron Smith represented our committee.

• The focus team drafted a new policy for the Investment Committee that is currently under review by the First Presidency and the Presiding Bishopric and is expected to be implemented in the next few months. When the new policy is complete it will be posted on the church's website.

Communication and the Cultivation of Human Rights Networks
Human Rights Newsletter
Since 2002, the electronic newsletter In the Forefront…A Faith-in-Action Human Rights Network has been published on behalf of the committee by Kathy Bachman, committee member and longtime human rights advocate. It is sent by e-mail to more than 600 readers and is also published on the church’s Web site (www.CofChrist.org/peacejustice/hr-newsletter/ ). The newsletter’s primary themes have included women’s and children’s issues, torture, global poverty, and genocide, among others. Each issue provides in-depth coverage of the selected issue, including resources for further study and suggested actions for concerned individuals and groups. The committee proudly commends this newsletter to the church and expresses appreciation to Kathy for her continuing efforts to bring these issues to the attention of church members and friends.

Recognition
The committee again sought nominations for the Human Rights Award to honor and highlight members of the Community of Christ who are in the forefront of various organizations and causes working to alleviate human suffering and violation of basic human rights. Awards will be presented to two recipients at the 2007 World Conference. Nominations may be submitted to the First Presidency or the Human Rights Committee at any time of the year.
The committee is pleased to serve the church by helping to raise awareness of human rights needs and abuses through advocacy, education, and recognition of individuals who are actively responding as disciples of Jesus Christ by working toward human rights for all. (See www.CofChrist.org/humanrights/ ).

Human Rights Committee

Kathy Bachman
Andrew Bolton
Don Compier
Gwendolyn Hawks-Blue
Kris Judd
Marge Nelson
Greg Prymak
Terry Read, chair
Gail Robinson
Bill Russell
Roy Schaefer
Sue Sloan
Ron Smith
Gustavo Vergara
Robert Wanga
Brenda Williams

Declaration on Globalization
Human Rights Committee

What is globalization?
Peoples have migrated, bartered, and shared inventions and ideas from the dawn of history whether it be the invention of the wheel, the domestication of rice, or the modern idea of human rights. Globalization refers to the more intense social and economic change occurring over the last two centuries, with increased connections between societies, especially through increased trade, free markets, rapid increase in computer technology, and the migration of peoples.

The first era of modern globalization began in the second half of the 19th century. Coal-powered trains and steamships, the telegraph, expanding trade, and the gold standard became prominent in an era of relative peace under the domination of Great Britain and other European powers. This period began to come to an end with the outbreak of World War I in 1914, and collapsed with trade protectionism and the Great Depression of the 1930s.

The second era of globalization began after World War II with the approval of the Bretton Woods Agreement in 1944. The World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), and General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) were established to successfully enable the expansion of world trade. Fast transportation (e.g., jet airplanes, container ships) and modern communications (e.g., Internet) have accelerated globalization. Corporate wealth has expanded dramatically. Of the 100 biggest economies in the world, 50 are multinational companies. The end of the Cold War in 1991 has led to the triumph of free market capitalism globally, with the USA as the sole superpower.

One major effect of globalization, for good or for bad, is the “emptying out of the locale” or local community. Shifting from a local to a global framework for trade, increased communications, and movement of people tends to weaken indigenous structures and systems. This affects local cultures and native languages, as well as local economic, social, and political systems. Through globalization people become less and less connected to local ways of life. This progressive emptying out of the locale can result in the desolation and even collapse of local communities. People can feel separated from their (people are not necessarily ashamed) previous identity without yet having a new one, resulting in a feeling of being “lost.”

What are the benefits of globalization?
The benefits of globalization are enormous. Increased trade helped rebuild the economies of Europe and Japan after World War II. In Western nations, many enjoy an affluent lifestyle that was undreamed of in previous generations. Among poorer nations, the economies of China and India, with over a third of the world’s population between them, have grown substantially in recent decades, lifting millions out of poverty. The spread of democracy and the continuing advance of human rights are significant benefits. The United Nations Millennium Goals aim to halve extreme poverty by 2015 with very modest investment by wealthy nations. It is believed that extreme poverty could be ended by 2025. The church has also been blessed by globalization. Up to 1959, the church had been established in just 12 nations. Now it is present in more than 50 countries. Cheap travel makes it possible for youth to gather for International Youth Forums, and people from all over the earth come to World Conference. The Internet and telephone enable church members to keep in touch with each other worldwide after such events.

What are the problems of globalization?
Unfortunately globalization has its negative side. The same speeding up of transportation, communications, and finance mentioned above also makes it easy for transnational organized crime to engage in illicit smuggling and for terrorist groups to engage in global operations. Diseases, too, like SARS and bird flu are spread rapidly by jet travel. Broadcasting, video technology, and the Internet allow violent groups to communicate their message to the world, and provide a platform for the distribution of degenerate materials, such as pornography.

Even legal and legitimate global business can have adverse impacts. Powerful multinational corporations often pressure governments in less developed countries to loosen protections for workers’ rights, environmental laws, and welfare safety nets. Relaxing of controls on international financial transactions may particularly lead to market volatility, and even to the collapse of financial markets. Moreover, rich countries heavily influence negotiations on international trade rules and intellectual property rights in favor of their own industries and exports.

Globalization is a key cause of migration issues. In local communities whose economies are adversely affected by globalizing forces, people are often forced to migrate, legally and illegally, looking for jobs. While restrictions on finance and trade have generally relaxed, restrictions on migration of labor from poor to rich countries have tightened—thus, countries with a surplus of labor are not allowed to trade it freely.

Development aid from rich to poor nations is insufficient and does not compensate for trade restrictions. Unless this is improved, the United Nation’s Millennium Goals are unlikely to be reached. Just as the Human Rights Committee from the 2002–2004 biennium made the problem of poverty in the world its highest priority , it remains the leading human rights issue, and the current committee has continued with this emphasis.

The foundations of the international economy rely on ready access to oil and natural gas. The scientific consensus is that emissions from burning such fossil fuels are causing climate changes that are a major risk to the planet. Moreover, the fantastical profits afforded by oil can lead to significant political instability in regions that are oil-rich or are strategically located for its transportation. Moreover, supplies of oil and natural gas are being exhausted and thus globalization in its present form is not sustainable. Culturally globalization is often one-way, dominated by the West and the USA in particular. The dominance of English threatens other languages and cultures.

Church members and their neighbors suffer in Europe, Canada, USA, and Australia? as jobs are lost to other nations and as benefits like health care and pensions are threatened. African members speak of national leaders corrupted by corporations, of people working for less than a dollar a day in mines or agriculture, the breaking up of traditional African solidarity with one another, and the transfer of “negative manners” from the West through Hollywood films, etc. Members in Latin America report of families destroyed by enslaving work, often 12 hours daily for fathers and mothers. Globalization, therefore, has destructive effects on people and communities, including church members worldwide.

Even in the religious world we see the pros and cons of globalization as the dichotomy of differing philosophies creates its own issues. Christians dream of a worldwide community of believers who live in the love of Jesus Christ, a place where, when love is sufficient, the “lion will lie down with the lamb.” It is a beautiful, peaceful goal. Yet globalization’s weakening of local community and culture can tarnish this image of world peace. The fulfillment of the Christian dream can seem to point to such a result in relation to other religions; that is, the conversion of people of other faith traditions, and/or the radical changing of existent cultures. The challenge is to find the balance between striving for a worldwide community and growing a church that honors local beliefs, cultures, and history.

What is the role of Community of Christ?
We hear Jesus command the first disciples in his last instructions: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:18). We remember, “For God so loved the world…” (John 3:16). We pray, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). We are committed to globalizing the message of God’s grace in Christ, the worth of all persons, of building just community, and the abolition of poverty everywhere. Yet we see that one of globalization’s devastating effects, as mentioned previously, is the “emptying out of the locale,” that is, the weakening and even desolation of local communities.

As the people of the Community of Christ, we seek to counter this negative effect of globalization by refilling communities through the promotion of right relationships, economic justice, and earth stewardship. We live in the anticipation of the triumph of God’s gentle and just reign, that “righteousness and truth shall sweep the earth” (Doctrine and Covenants 36:12). It is the vision of faith that chooses the worth of all persons as more valuable than profit. We declare that faithful discipleship, not the market, brings the kingdom of God. We particularly recognize the local congregation as the primary vehicle for actively “refilling” the locale through its ministries that promote community through Christ. We therefore call upon congregations, along with members and friends of the church, to pursue the peace of Jesus Christ in a globalizing world by

• participating in efforts to reduce and eradicate poverty:
  —locally through organizations such as Outreach International and World Accord, whose participatory human development projects serve to strengthen and restore local communities;
  —locally through organizations and projects that similarly confront poverty through such practices as self-empowerment, micro-credit, and community cooperatives;
  —globally through citizenship practices that advocate for the poor, especially through supporting the UN Millennium Development Goals.
• welcoming all in congregational life by
  —creating a quality of belonging for all, especially in worship and fellowship;
  —practicing active hospitality for all, especially those on the edges of congregation and community;
  —celebrating human diversity, including affirmation of ethnic heritage, culture, and language, which empowers the divine spirit within.
• advocating the worth of all persons by
  —working for human rights for all;
  —promoting participatory forms of decision making in all nations and among all peoples.
• promoting stewardship of all creation by
  —advocating for corporate and individual practices that serve to sustain and renew rather than deplete and destroy the earth’s natural resources, including the reduction of dependence on fossil fuels; and
  —urging environmental stewardship among congregation members, congregational buildings, and in congregational activities.
• preaching the good news of the peace of Jesus Christ, which
  —redeems individual lives;
  —creates authentic participatory human communities in local congregations; and
  —challenges unjust structures and organizations that oppress and marginalize other humans.

We further call upon the World Church and its councils, quorums, orders, and various offices to

• ensure that all languages and the best gifts of all cultures find authentic expression in the life of the church and especially in worship (this includes the acceleration of producing official publications in French and Spanish and other languages as well as English);
• continue to increase diversity in church leadership by welcoming and developing the gifts of all people from all nations; and
• continue to create an international forum at events like World Conference and IYF to enable church members to share their firsthand experiences of globalization and to inform each other.

1 Anthony Giddens.
2 In 2000, 189 member nations adopted the Millennium Goals:

1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
2. Achieve universal primary education
3. Promote gender equality and empower women
4. Reduce child mortality
5. Improve maternal health
6. combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases
7. Ensure environmental sustainability
8. Develop a global partnership for development
   Progress reports on the goals can be found a http://mdgs.un.org/unsd/mdg/default.aspx.

3 A survey among the field officers and ministers in 2002 suggested that (1.) poverty/economic justice, (2.) health care, and (3.) war and peace were the highest priorities for the Human Rights Committee.

References
Peter Berger and Samuel Huntington, Many Globalizations (Oxford Univ. Press, 2003).
Mark Duffield, Global Governance and the New Wars (London: Zed Books, 2001).
Wayne Ellwood, The No-Nonsense Guide to Globalization (Oxford: New Internationalist, 2001).
Thomas L. Friedman, The Lexus and the Olive Tree (New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1999).
Anthony Giddens, Runaway World: How Globalisation Is Reshaping Our Lives, 2nd ed. (London: Profile Books, 2003).
Michael Hardt and Antonio Negri, Empire (Harvard Univ. Press, 2000).
David Held and Anthony McGrew, Globalization/Anti-Globalization (Oxford: Blackwell, 2002).
Peter Heslam (ed.), Globalization and the Good (Cambridge, UK: William B. Eerdmans).
Richard W. Mansbach and Edward Rhodes, Global Politics in a Changing World (Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co, 2006).
Jeffrey Sachs, The End of Poverty—How we can make it happen in our lifetime? (London: Penguin, 2005).
Wikipedia – Globalization http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Globalization

December 22, 2006