Resolution D022
MDGs and the ONE Episcopalian Campaign

House of Bishops adopted
House of Deputies concurred

Proposer:   The Rev. Randolph K. Dales (New Hampshire)
Note: The legislative committee (National and International Concerns) combined aspects of other resolutions (c.f. A008 and A009) into the original D022 and sent the single resolution to the House of Bishops for action.

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 75th General Convention of the Episcopal Church commend the leaders and members of The Episcopal Church, including Episcopal Relief and Development and program ministries of the  Episcopal Church, for their leadership on behalf of the Millennium Development Goals, both through public advocacy and implementation of MDG programs in the developing world; and commend parishes, missions, congregations, and dioceses,  and others,  like Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation and the Micah Challenge, for their support of the implementation of the MDGs in fulfillment of our Baptismal Covenant and as an expression of the hunger of this church for far deeper communion with all of God’s beloved; and be it further
 
Resolved, that the General Convention establish the work toward the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals as a mission priority for the coming triennium, and that each diocese, congregation and parishioner be urged to commit to 0.7% giving toward these goals by July 7, 2007 (07/07/07); and be it further
 
Resolved, that the General Convention request the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance to consider a budget line item of no less than an additional 0.7% (circa $900,000) of the non-government revenue of the Episcopal Church for work that supports the implementation of the Millennium Development 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 and AIDS, malaria and other diseases
     7      Ensure environmental sustainability, and
     8      Create a global partnership for development with a   focus on debt, aid, and trade; and be it further
 
Resolved, that the General Convention encourage parishes, missions, congregations, and dioceses  to designate the Last Sunday after Pentecost , or such days as may be designated ecumenically for commendation of the MDGs, as special days of prayer, fasting and giving in the Episcopal Church toward global reconciliation and the Millennium Development Goals; and be it further
 
Resolved, that the General Convention request that all dioceses establish a global reconciliation commission or similar body dedicated to mobilizing Episcopalians toward the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals; and be it further
 
Resolved, the Standing Commission on Anglican and International Peace with Justice Concerns report to the 76th General Convention on the progress that has been achieved in implementing this resolution; and be it further
 
Resolved, That the General Convention  endorse “The ONE Campaign,” the U.S. movement for the MDGs, through The Episcopal Church’s “ONE Episcopalian” campaign;  call on all parishes, missions, congregations, and dioceses,  and individuals to join the ONE Episcopalian campaign; and publicly endorse The ONE Campaign’s call for the United States government to annually spend an additional one percent of its budget to combat global poverty, and to be active advocates for the achievement of this work.


EXPLANATION
The Episcopal Church is to be commended for its endorsement of the Millennium Development Goals and the widespread adoption of 0.7% giving for the implementation of those goals.  
In addition to our individual and communal giving and advocacy, in this resolution our church joins our ecumenical partners in advocating that the U.S. government spend one percent more of its annual budget to combat poverty in the world.  The ONE Campaign is a two year-old U.S. based movement to "make poverty history."  The ONE Episcopalian Campaign begins with this convention, equipping dioceses, parishes, and individuals to be effective advocates for the MDGs and connecting Episcopalians with others who seek to end global poverty in our time.

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