The World Council of Churches (WCC) has launched the “Turn Debt into Hope” campaign, a global call to address debt injustice and climate inequality, which prevent vulnerable nations from meeting fundamental human rights.
“Many low-income countries now spend more on debt repayments than on public health, education, and climate response,” said Athena Peralta, director of the WCC Commission on Climate Justice and Sustainable Development.“This traps communities in a cycle of poverty and environmental devastation. Meanwhile, increasing climate disasters force governments to take on more debt to rebuild, deepening economic instability.”
Aligned with the New International Financial and Economic Architecture (NIFEA) initiative, WCC is collaborating with Caritas Internationalis, Jubilee USA, the World Communion of Reformed Churches, and the Asia Pacific Movement on Debt and Development to advocate for bold economic reforms.
Inspired by the biblical Jubilee vision (Leviticus 25) and Romans 5:5—“Hope does not disappoint”—the “Turn Debt into Hope” campaign urges immediate cancellation and restructuring of unjust debt, reforms to prioritize human and ecological wellbeing over profit, and a transparent debt framework under the United Nations to ensure fairness and accountability.
“The social and ecological costs of the debt crisis can no longer be ignored,” said Rev. Dr Kenneth Mtata, WCC programme director for Life, Justice, and Peace. “As people of faith, we are called to stand in solidarity with those burdened by unjust debt, upholding our shared commitment to a just and sustainable financial system where people and the planet come before profit.”
WCC member churches and partners are encouraged to:
- Sign the petition at https://turndebtintohope.caritas.org.
- Share the campaign across websites, newsletters, and social media.
- Share your testimonies—WCC member churches are encouraged to share stories of how debt injustice affects their communities.
- Join advocacy events, including the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings, the UN Climate COP30 in Brazil, and the G20 Summit in Johannesburg.
For more information, contact Athena.Peralta@wcc-coe.org.
Sustainability and Economy of Life
In line with Truth & Peace: A Gospel Word in a Violent World! “We say: speak truth to build trust and build trust to make peace.”
It is essential for the future peace and cohesion of Queensland that the Truth-Telling and Healing Inquiry is continued. Please consider adding your signature to this petition requesting the Queensland Government to uphold the commitment to the Path to Treaty Act 2023
Our Islands Our Home 
We are a Torres Strait Islander-led campaign fighting to protect our island homes from the climate crisis. King tides, erosion, inundation, and coral bleaching are threatening our lands, culture, and way of life. Meanwhile, the Australian Government continues to ignore the urgent need for climate action.
We’re calling on the Government to fund seawalls and adaptation measures to protect the Torres Strait. Join us in demanding action — sign the petition 
https://ourislandsourhome.com.au/#petition
Our campaign is led by Traditional Owners, knowledge keepers, storytellers, and community leaders committed to safeguarding the Islands of Zenadh Kes (Torres Strait Islands & surrounding seas) 
Our movement began in 2019 with the #TorresStrait8, and their historic human rights case that made waves worldwide. In 2022, the UN ruled in our favor, setting a global precedent for Indigenous climate justice.
Together, we’re building a powerful grassroots movement for climate justice, led by and for Torres Strait Islanders 
: Together We Rise by Dylan Mooney
Climate change, like nuclear weapons, is a major global threat.
The main cause of the climate emergency is fossil fuels.
Just as fifty years ago the world needed a treaty to defuse the threats posed by weapons of mass destruction, the world today needs a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Watch this video to find out more about this bold new idea gaining traction around the world.
Join hundreds of organisations and individuals in endorsing the concept at www.fossilfueltreaty.org
The Commission is an organisational member of the Queensland Conservation Council and so we invite our readers to add their support to their campaigns. Please share with your communities.
Modern Slavery Act Review
OUR SUBMISSION ON THE MIGRATION BILL
The Australian government has introduced very contentious draft legislation seeking to impose mandatory jail sentences between 1 to 5 years on any non-citizen refusing to cooperate with removal from Australia, despite the fact that they may be likely to be persecuted if sent back to their country or origin. Labor’s draft legislation also proposes to put a ban on Australian visa applications for any country of origin that does not co-operate with the Australian government’s request to accept individuals removed from Australia. This draconian legislation is likely to have significant implications for human rights. It has passed the Lower House and is currently before a Senate Inquiry Committee for closer investigation. You can read our submission here. We are in the process of organising meetings with key Federal Parliamentarians to voice our strong concern and will be in touch with you soon to update you on what you can do to help.
OUR CALL ON AUSTRALIA TO END MILITARY EQUIPMENT TRADE WITH ISRAEL
Following last week’s successful resolution by the United Nations Humans Rights Council calling on countries to stop selling or shipping weapons to Israel, we called on the Australian government to immediately cease all military equipment with Israel. You can read our statement here, which complements our last two statements on the Gaza conflict calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire.
Recycle, Re-Use, Repair
In the Archdiocesan Laudato Si’ Action Plan we aim to do, “recycling, re-use and repair wherever possible”.
Catholic Justice and Peace Commission of Brisbane 