Just Trade Agreements? Churches in North America Address Globalization

Rev. Dr. M. Douglas Meeks, Chancellor Professor of Theology and Wesleyan Studies at Vanderbilt University, presents paper on 'The Economy of Grace'. Photo: Victoria Richardson

Ecumenical leaders of North America convened January 11-14, 2004, to tackle the issues of "just trade" vs. "free trade" and the negative impacts of globalization on people, churches and the environment. The consultation, titled Just Trade Agreements? Churches in North America Address Globalization, was the last in a series of worldwide consultations which have taken place since 1999.

The consultation was convened by Church World Service and the Canadian Council of Churches. The closing Declaration is now being shared for endorsement by religious bodies, and steps are underway to implement the action plan developed at the consultation.

Consultation Worship Resources: In English • en español

Consultation Overview (2/19/04)

Background documents:

Note: the following documents are PDF files. You will need Acrobat Reader to download, view and print these files.

• Letter from Church World Service and Canadian Council of Churches
• What Does God Require of Us? A Declaration for Just Trade in the Service of An Economy of Life English • French • Spanish
• Plan of Action - Just Trade Agreements? English • French • Spanish
• Churches in the U.S. and Just Trade: The Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) Background Resource prepared by Center of Concern and Church World Service English • Spanish
• Economy in Real Life Talks
• The Economy of Grace and the Market Logic, by M. Douglas Meeks
• Towards an Economy in the Service of Life - a report of an ecumenical journey
• Canadian Paper on Globalization
• Latin American Paper on Globalization

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