Jubilee Oregon E-Newsletter

November 5, 2009

Support ELIMINATION of GLOBAL POVERTY

Join Jubilee Oregon for

An Evening with Chef Andrea Cano

Prepare and Enjoy Food from Africa, Asia and Latin America

Andrea Cano with Jubilee Oregon Board members Bob Brown and Pat Rumer

Sunday, November 22, 2009

6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Abby’s Table

609 SE Ankeny, Portland, OR

(one block south of Burnside Street)

Good food, good friends, good wine and a change to hear more about the Jubilee Act and Vulture Funds Act and sign a postcard to your member of congress!

Cost:  $67 for one; $43 partner or spouse or friend (you must register at the same time)

Why this Price?  67 countries need 100% total debt cancellation to achieve their poverty reduction goals and 43 countries are in the process of achieving debt cancellation and need our advocacy to ensure we deliver on our debt reduction commitments.

Benefits:  50% of proceeds to Jubilee OR & 50% to Jubilee USA Network

RSVP:  email jubileeoregon@gmail.com or leave a message at 503-702-3424

Please RSVP by November 15, 2009.

Hope you can join us.

- Jubilee Oregon Board

About the chef:

Jubilee Oregon is excited about this fun cooking event with our friend Andrea Cano. Andrea has been involved with Jubilee OR since 1999 when she served as Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon Jubilee coordinator 1999-2000 and later, worked on the AFSC Africa Peace with Justice tour.

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Jubilee Oregon Receives EMO’s Vollum Ecumenical Humanitarian Award!

Members and supporters accepting the Vollum Award on behalf of Jubilee Oregon

Jubilee Oregon is deeply honored to have  received the Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon’s 2009 Vollum Ecumenical Humanitarian Award for a decade of work devoted to canceling the debt of the world’s poorest countries.  About 125 billion dollars of debt has been cancelled and we are working hard on extending debt cancellation with the re-introduction of the Jubilee Act in Congress before the end of 2009.  Join us!

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Stand Up! Take Action!

On October 17, Jubilee supporters joined millions around the world in standing up against poverty and for the Millennium Development Goals. Locally, 170 Portland State University students, and approximately 130 congregation members each from Ainsworth United Church of Christ and Central Lutheran participated in the Stand Up event. Five more local congregations participated, but did not provide tallies. Area organizers estimate that a total of approximately 500 people in the Portland metro region joined the estimated 200,000 people who stood up against poverty and for the MDG goals in North America and the 173 million who stood up worldwide. Below are photos from Portland congregations that participated in Stand Up, Take Action this year.

Thank you to all of those who stood up!

Havurah Shalom members stood up!

Central Lutheran stood up!

Ainsworth United Church of Christ stood up!

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WORLD AIDS DAY 2009: A Call to Action

World AIDS Day is December 1st. The Portland Area Global AIDS Coalition works closely with Jubilee because debt service payments for many impacted countries are greater than the amount they spend on health care. If we can work to cancel their debt they can put their own resources to address the impact of HIV/AIDS.  We are asking all Jubilee congregations to join community wide World AIDS Day events.
This year rather than putting on one major event to mark World AIDS Day local organizations, including PAGAC, have been working together to encourage community-wide involvement utilizing the Nine and a Half Minutes Campaign for 2009 (the CDC estimates that in the U.S. one new infection occurs every 9 ½ minutes). Our goal is to have over 100 short actions, events, or campaigns taking place all over Portland, SW Washington and beyond, in schools, workplaces, faith-based organizations, stores, clinics, wherever!
To help facilitate this endeavor we have created a website: www.worldaidsdayportland.org. where you can list your own event, find out what others are doing and use our tool kit.
We urge you to reach out to the wider community by:
a. Putting on your own event or activity for World AIDS Day and listing it on the www.worldaidsdayportland.org website.

b. Reaching out to all of your supporters by putting information about World AIDS Day on your website or in your newsletter or other communications.

c. Consider reaching out to organizations listing events on www.worldaidsdayportland.org and let them know how they can work with you or how you can work with them. Share ideas, resources, energy, etc.

d. As an organization listed in the PAGAC directory you are eligible to put a notice about your event on the PAGAC announcements list. Send us an e-mail and we will post it for you.

We especially want to get the word out that while it is vital that we address the local impact of HIV/AIDS, and the fact that one person in the United States is infected with HIV every 9 ½ minutes, the sad fact is that in some countries someone is infected every 23 seconds. WE HAVE WORK TO DO!
THANK YOU! Let’s all work together to get out the word and make World AIDS Day (December 1st) a time when the whole community takes time to get involved! Please contact us if you have any questions.

Ann Pickar and Theresa Burks
Co-Chairs, Portland Area Global AIDS Coalition

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Jubilee September 2009 Training Review

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

November 5, 2009

JUBILEE OREGON MONTHLY MEETING

Mark your calendars for our next meeting: November 5th, 6:30 – 8:30, Westminster Presbyterian, 16th and NE Hancock in the Dorcas Room.

November 5, 2009

JUBILEE OREGON BOOK GROUP

Jubilee Book Group discusses Nicholas Kristof’s new book, Half the Sky. 6:30-8:30PM, Holladay Park Plaza, 1300 NE 16th, ask for Nancy Johns at lobby reception area for room location.  READ FIRST FIVE CHAPTERS.

December 3, 2009

JUBILEE FUNDRAISER

10,000 Villages

938 NW Everett St.

Portland, OR 97209

ONGOING

Volunteer Opportunities:

Jubilee Oregon has a number of upcoming volunteer opportunities! For more information, contact Bob Brown at rebrown47@gmail.com.

Have questions about Jubilee Oregon? Contact us at jubileeoregon@gmail.com or (503) 702-3424. For general information, visit our blog!

JUBILEE OREGON EVENTS AND MEETINGS – FALL 2009

• September -Sign Up for Jubilee book group – Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women by Nicolas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn.  Discussion begins in late September – time and location to be determined. 

• September 30 -7PM            Northwest Film Center Voices in Action film series.  UN Millennium Development Goals film.  Portland Art Museum, 1219 SW Park Avenue.  www.nwfilm.org

• October 1, 6:30-8:30PM        Jubilee OR monthly meeting at Westminster Presbyterian Church, NE 16^th and Hancock Streets.  Update on Stand UP actions, Jubilee Act – Oregon Congressional delegation and November fundraiser plans.

• October 13, 7-9PM, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon Annual Community Awards and Celebration Dinner, Jubilee Oregon is receiving the Vollum Humanitarian Award. The Hilton Hotel.  Call EMO at 503-221-1054 for dinner tickets. Cost: $60.

• October 17, 12:30-3PM                Stand Up and Take Action against Poverty event at Portland State University, Hoffman Hall.  Join Thomas Lauderdale, Chata Addy and Loveness Wesa for music and dance.  Listen to former Congresswoman Elizabeth Furse talk about women’s empowerment and take action with more than 12 global organizations for global food security.  Suggested contribution:  $10 – proceeds benefit Mercy Corps and the Oregon Food Bank.

• November 5, 6:30-8:30PM            Jubilee OR monthly meeting –location to be determined.    

• Week of November 7, 2009 –  Jubilee OR/USA fundraiser – Learn to cook with master chef, Andrea Cano, recipes from Asia, Africa and Latin America.  Food and drink included.  $75 per person. Location to be determined. 

• December 1                World AIDS Day.  For information, check www.pagac.org about the 9 and ½ Minute Campaign!

• December 3- 4, 5-8PM – Ten Thousand Villages hosts its annual Jubilee holiday sale.  Shop for your friends and family and benefit Jubilee OR.

• www.jubileeoregon.wordpress.com  Annual Jubilee OR holiday party.  Join us as we celebrate the end of the year and dedicate ourselves to passing the Jubilee Act in 2010!

Jubilee Oregon E-Newsletter

September 1, 2009

JUBILEE OREGON FALL 2009 TRAINING

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH

5:30 PM – 9:30 PM @ Central Lutheran Church

1820 NE 21st Ave Portland, OR 97212

FREE EVENT & DINNER PROVIDED

RSVP TO: JUBILEEOREGON@GMAIL.COM

Light supper and coffee, tea and water are provided so you just need to bring yourself, two or three other persons from your congregation to get ready for Fall 2009 activities.

• Learn about the upcoming Jubilee Act to extend debt cancellation and the Vulture Fund Act

• Learn about organizing a Jubilee Sabbath/Sunday in your congregation

• Understand the Change, Not Chains campaign and how to participate in it

• AND, Join Jubilee Metro Portland in an October 17 Stand Up event at PSU or organize your own event to end global poverty and achieve the Millennium Development Goals

• Meet other Jubilee activists

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JOIN THE GLOBAL MOVEMENT!

STAND UP WITH JUBILEE OREGON FOR THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS AND TO END POVERTY!

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17

12:30 – 3:00 p.m. @ Portland State University

Hoffman Hall

SW 12^th and Harrison

Performers to be announced

$10 suggested donation

All proceeds benefit Mercy Corps and the Oregon Food Bank.

Featured partner organizations include: Jubilee Oregon, PSU Model United Nations, Bread for the World, Mercy Corps, Portland Area Global AIDS Coalition, and the World Affairs Council of Oregon. Visit Stand Up for more information on the global campaign to end poverty and realize the Millennium Development Goals.

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A Summary of Jubilee Oregon’s Visit to Congressman David Wu’s Office

On Tuesday, August 25, Jubilee Oregon members Bob Brown, Gene Hornhof, Gloria Halper, Chris Laing and Gina Ronning met with Stephen Marx who is Congressman David Wu’s Field Representative for Foreign Relations.

Congressman Wu has pledged to endorse the Jubilee Act. Marx will inquire about whether Congressman Wu will co-sponsor the Vulture Fund Act.

Marx recommended that Jubilee Oregon partner with fair trade groups and with local business groups and NGOs that are interested in foreign investment. In particular, Marx mentioned Mercy Corps, Bread for the World, and the ONE Campaign to End Poverty. He noted that the farm bill will need to be renewed in 2011 and that both foreign aid and foreign trade reform are key to debt cancellation.

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CHANGE, NOT CHAINS

by Jubilee USA

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VULTURE FUNDS: Update and Review

by Bob Brown

On June 18^th, 2009, Representatives Maxine Waters (D-CA) and Spencer Bachus (R-AL) re-introduced the Stop Vulture Funds Act (HR 2932). This important legislation will protect poor countries as they develop self-sufficiency. But what are Vulture Funds?

If you have an image of a predator circling, looking for prey, then your image of vulture funds is pretty accurate. “’Vulture fund’ is a name given to a company that seeks to make profit by buying up ‘bad’ debt at a cheap price, then tries to recover the full amount, often by suing through the courts.” These funds are very secretive and are often organized in tax haven countries where there are little reporting requirements.  They exist to make a lot of money to the detriment of the country whose debt they would like to own. Here is ha real life example of hoe vulture funds operate:

Zambia borrowed $15 million from Romania in 1979. In the 1990s, because of crushing poverty, Zambia was unable to make payments toward its debt. It became eligible for debt relief from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund and began negotiations to clear its debt.

In 1999, in swoops Donegal International (the vulture fund). Donegal bought the $30 million debt (the original debt + accrued interest) for $3.3 million from Romania. Donegal then sued Zambia for $55M (the face value of the debt + compound interest + their fees and profits). Notably, Donegal sued Zambia in the British courts where the laws favor creditors and not the debtors. The result of the court case was that Zambia had to pay Donegal $15.5 million.

Ironically and incredibly, vulture funds attack poor countries on the verge of debt cancellation. Donegal bought the debt at a vastly reduced price at a time when it knew that Zambia was desperately poor and considered so indebted that it had to have debt relief. In fact, Donegal even used this fact in its attempts to persuade Romania to sell it the debt.

With debt relief comes an increased ability for the poor country to have funds. These funds should be used for the country’s benefit. But the vulture fund sees the country as having the ability to payoff the debt they purchased because other debt was going to be cancelled or reduced. In Zambia’s case, the benefit of debt cancellation was postponed since they had to pay Donegal $15.5 million.

Vulture funds work within current law. But this does not make their practices acceptable. The Stop Vulture Funds Act seeks to change the current law and would prevent Vulture Funds from using US courts to collect more than 6% interest above the amount they paid to purchase the debt.  It also would require vulture funds to operate in a more transparent and fair manner. If passed, these funds would not be able to sue in the US courts.  You can demonstrate your support for the Stop Vulture Funds legislation by asking your Representative to co-sponsor the Stop Vulture Fund Act (HF 2932).  Make the phone call today.

References:

Jubilee USA Network “Stop Vulture Culture” Campaign: http://www.jubileeusa.org/vulturefunds.html

The wetpaint reference site on vulture funds: http://vulturefunds.wetpaint.com/

Jubilee Debt Campaign (UK): http://www.jubileedebtcampaign.org.uk/?lid=2893

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

September 10, 2009

JUBILEE OREGON FALL TRAINING

5:30 – 9:00 p.m.

Central Lutheran Church

1820 NE 21st Ave Portland, OR 97212

October 1, 2009

JUBILEE OREGON MONTHLY MEETING

6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Westminster Presbyterian Church (in Portland)

NE 16th and Hancock

Join us for our general monthly meeting! It’s a great way to get involved and to find out what’s happening at the local and national levels. Jubilee Oregon members generally provide snacks for this evening meeting.

October 13, 2009

ECUMENICAL MINISTRIES OF OREGON’S ANNUAL BANQUET

Jubilee OR is receiving the Vollum Humanitarian Award! Read all about it at the Jubilee Oregon blog.

October 17, 2009

STAND UP, TAKE ACTION AGAINST POVERTY AND FOR THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS

Hoffman Hall, Portland State University

12:30 – 3:00 p.m.

Have questions about Jubilee Oregon? Contact us at jubileeoregon@gmail.com or (503) 702-3424. For general information, visit our blog!

Jubilee Oregon Wins Big

Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, a statewide association of Christian denominations congregations, ecumenical organizations and interfaith partners, just awarded Jubilee Oregon with the Vollum Ecumenical Humanitarian Award!

This award is presented in recognition of how an outstanding commitment to humanitarian responsibility has significantly enhanced ecumenical efforts in the state and quality of life for all.

Jubilee Oregon will be honored at the biggest Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon event of the year – the Annual Dinner and Community Celebration – on October 13, 2009 with with over 1400 faith communities invited. If you’re in the area, you should stop by. Enjoy the party – you deserve it!

by Annah Sidigu

Jubilee Oregon was pleased to receive Archbishop
Desmond Tutu at our monthly board meeting today. Archbishop Tutu, the
father of the Jubilee movement, stopped by on the way to his  scheduled
engagements to offer a few words of encouragement and reflection.

Archbishop Tutu’s remarks were hopeful and tempered with realism.
Emphatic in his belief that no one can win the war against terrorism, the
Archbishop also noted that, if we reduced our war expenditure, we could spend
more money on feeding the hungry across the world. This, he posited, is not
charity nor merely kindness—it is our responsibility if we are to be the
good stewards of the world that God has created for all of us.

It seems safe to say that everyone present was buoyed by the Archbishop’s
wisdom, humor and humility. Jubilee Oregon thanks Archbishop Tutu and his son,
Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, and all of the Congressional staffers and
member congregation representatives who were present.

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Jubilee Oregon E-Newsletter

June 24, 2009

On June 18th, Representatives Maxine Waters (D-CA) and Spencer Bachus (R-AL) re-introduced the Stop VULTURE Funds Act (HR 2932), a bill in the House of Representatives that would prevent vulture funds from making excessive profit off the debt of the world’s poorest nations.

Call your US Representative today and ask him or her to co-sponsor the bill!
Together with Africa Action and TransAfrica Forum, Jubilee USA continues its campaign to stop the harmful practices of vulture funds that prey on poor countries. Vulture Funds buy the defaulted debt of poor countries from the original lender, often for pennies on the dollar.  After buying a poor country’s debt, vulture funds take their time, waiting for the right opportunity to strike.

When a country receives debt cancellation from governments or international financial institutions, vulture funds rarely participate in the deal.  Instead they take the opportunity to sue in US or European courts to seize the newly available resources – usually many times what they originally paid to purchase the debt.

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DAY OF THE AFRICAN CHILD

June 27, 2009

Join Jubilee Oregon as we celebrate the Day of the African Child with the World Forestry Center and Harambee Centre in Portland, Oregon.

Day of the African Child is a day recognized throughout the world as an opportunity to reflect on progress toward health, education, equality and protection for all the continent’s children. This celebration focuses on both the cultural variety and overall spirit of Africa. The event will educate people through the celebration of music, dance, storytelling, food, and an African Marketplace. This is a great opportunity to learn about the cultures and realities of the vast and varied societies of Africa, and to build bonds of understanding, respect, and mutually beneficial relationships between people in the Pacific Northwest and people in Africa. Become familiar with the challenges and successes facing this population, and you will find plenty of ways you can help! Day of the African Child is a celebration of the diversity in all of us!

The event takes place on Saturday, June 27, 2009 at the World Forestry Center, 4033 SW Canyon Rd., Portland, Oregon, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
For details, visit http://www.worldforestry.org/organization/DAC1.php

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Who’s Who in Jubilee Oregon

Jubilee Oregon is one of the most active chapters of Jubilee USA—a reputation that we are committed to upholding. We are comprised of a Board of Directors, 18 member congregations and individual volunteers. In addition, our electronic mailing list reaches 1,000 people. As you will see from the bios below, our Board members share a history of community activism and a commitment to global social justice.

Carrie Stiles

Carrie Stiles

Carrie Stiles is a graduate student in the Conflict Resolution program at Portland State University specializing in sustainable development, international diplomacy and human rights. She has created a short documentary film for Jubilee Oregon, and produced Portland’s Stand Up and Take Action Against Poverty and for the Millennium Development Goals Art Festival (www.standagainstpoverty.org) for the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty as part of the United Nations Millennium Campaign to halve extreme poverty by 2015. She has traveled extensively through Africa and is very excited to intern and travel in Asia starting this September. She is perpetually impressed by the commitment Jubilee Oregon has to achieving unconditional debt relief for the world poorest countries as a form of international economic justice.

Ann Pickar

Ann is a transplant from Edinburgh, Scotland. She became involved in global activism after retiring from the State of Oregon Adult and Family Services Division.

Ann is co-founder of the Unitarian Universalist Global AIDS Coalition, which works to involve UU congregations all over the United States in global AIDS issues. She is also a founding member and current co-chair of the Portland Area Global AIDS Coalition, which connects the over 140 local organizations working on issues of HIV/AIDS and global poverty.

Visit Jubilee Oregon for more Board member profiles!

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SAVE THE DATE!

• International Development Happy Hour

  MONDAY, JULY 6
  4-7 pm
  Hopworks Urban Brewery
  2944 SE Powell Blvd
  Portland, OR 97202

No agenda, no speakers, just conversation. We hope that an informal atmosphere might lead to some new projects, jobs, collaborations and friends.

Happy hour is from 4-6, but we’ll be there until 7 p.m. There is good food and a great play space for the children if you want to bring them along. Find us in the back by the play space from 4 p.m. on. We hope to see you there!

• THURSDAY, AUGUST 20, 2009 -6-9 p.m. Jubilee OR invites all interested people, congregations and organizations to a summer potluck picnic in the patio garden of Holladay Park Plaza, 1300 NE 16th/corner of Multnomah Boulevard – near the Lloyd Center. Bring something to eat and drink.  Barbecue will be available and if you RSVP to Jubileeoregon@gmail.com, let us know if you would like to swim after the potluck.

• THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10TH – 5:30-9 p.m.   Metro area Jubilee training at Central Lutheran Church, NE 21st two blocks north of Broadway – bus friendly.  Special training for all congregations on Jubilee Sabbath/Sunday on October 16-17 AND organize a Stand UP and Take Action against Poverty that weekend OR join PSU Model UN students for their Stand Up action.

• OCTOBER 16-18 – STAND UP AND TAKE ACTION AGAINST POVERTY GLOBAL EVENTS. Check www.standagainstpoverty.org for resources and to register.  PSU Model UN activist, Kate Alexander, is organizing a community wide event to be held at PSU.  Email Jubileeoregon@gmail.com if you want to join this effort.

• Please note that there will be no monthly summer meetings. We are organizing Congressional delegation visits in support of the Stop Vulture Funds Act.

For more frequent updates, check www.jubileeusa.org. For local events, visit www.jubileeoregonwordpress.com.

Jubilee Oregon E-Newsletter

May 4, 2009

Jubilee Oregon Welcomes Archbishop Desmond Tutu!

Copyright: David Frackelton

Jubilee Oregon was pleased to receive Archbishop Desmond Tutu at our monthly board meeting today. Archbishop Tutu, the father of the Jubilee movement, stopped by on the way to his  scheduled engagements to offer a few words of encouragement and reflection.

Archbishop Tutu’s remarks were hopeful and tempered with realism. Emphatic in his belief that no one can win the war against terrorism, the Archbishop also noted that, if we reduced our war expenditure, we could spend more money on feeding the hungry across the world. This, he posited, is not charity nor merely kindness—it is our responsibility if we are to be the good stewards of the world that God has created for all of us.

It seems safe to say that everyone present was buoyed by the Archbishop’s wisdom, humor and humility. Jubilee Oregon thanks Archbishop Tutu and his son, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, and all of the Congressional staffers and member congregation representatives who were present.

 

Prayer in Appreciation of Archbishop Tutu’s Visit

Rev. Chris Laing and Archbishop Desmond Tutu; Photo Copyright: David Frackelton

One God of many holy Names, we give thanks for THIS day—

For the chance to receive & share your justice, peace & boundless love

To know and practice life’s Sabbath rhythm and prepare for the joy of Jubilee justice to come in our midst on earth…

Thank you for Bishop Desmond’s visit in Oregon …

May he find your strength to share his many gifts as we give thanks for the full range of his ministry, not least in the work of founding the Jubilee movement for debt cancellation.

May we and many more find grace to live in the community that makes friends of enemies and renews the face of the earth for all generations to come,

In Christ’s name.

______________________________________________________________________

 

Ecumenical Advocacy Days: National, Faith-Based Activism Against Climate Change

by Annah Sidigu

Each year the Ecumenical Advocacy Days (EAD) conference brings together faith-based activists from around the country to the nation’s capitol. The setting is strategic—participants take what they learned from the conference directly to Capitol Hill by lobbying their elected officials.

Jubilee Oregon was fortunate to take part in this year’s EAD conference, which focused on climate change. Environmental activists and professionals Eunice Kamaara of Kenya, Leo Atakpu of Nigeria, and Sister Claudine Dumbi of the Democratic Republic shared how climate change is impacting their local communities. The conference also hosted U.S. presenters who shared a diversity of perspectives about the domestic front of the movement against climate change.

A recurring theme from African presenters was that climate change exacerbates or creates conflicts by making already scarce resources—such as, water, arable land or food—even more scarce.

However, presenters also noted that “fixing” the environment will not solve everything. For nations in Africa plagued by what is known as the “resource curse”—that is, an abundance of natural resources or of a natural resource like oil or coltan—a resource-rich environment is both good and bad news. As we have seen time and time again, the discovery of oil is often a precursor to conflict. This is particularly true when the government system in place is either fragile or authoritarian. Along with activism against climate change, we must continue to press for the realization of the Millennium Development Goals and to agitate against any institutions that violate human rights.

Jubilee Oregon believes that freedom from poverty is a universal human right and is committed to tackling one of the purveyors of extreme poverty—an international finance system that preys upon the world’s poor.

The EAD Conference enabled us and our allies to draw clear connections between climate change, environmental justice, and issues of class and gender. Since the environment belongs to all of us and cannot be neatly divided up according to interest group, these are the kind of connections that will be necessary to wage an effective battle against climate change.

A multi-frontal battle against climate change requires that we—that is, those of us in developed countries who benefit from their activities and those of us in the developing countries in which they operate—hold financial institutions, governments, multinational corporations and other key players accountable. Toward this end, groups involved in the EAD conference—groups like Jubilee USA, Africa Action, the Africa Faith and Justice Network, Publish What You Pay, and the No Dirty Gold Campaign—are fighting for increased accountability and transparency.

After two days of workshops, conference participants lobbied members of Congress to support the collective goals of the EAD network, namely:

1. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25-40 percent below 1990 levels by 2020 and work for long-term reductions that are at least 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.
2. To provide substantial new funding for international adaptation to climate change—funding that will target the most vulnerable communities domestically and internationally, such as indigenous, coastal and low-income communities in the U.S. and the poorest or most heavily indebted countries in the world.
3. To assist and welcome climate migrants or environmental refugees.

Thanks to the support of Jubilee USA, Jubilee Oregon was able to be part of this important national dialogue. We want to make the most of all that we learned and so we urge our supporters to join us in taking the following concrete actions against climate change:

• Join Congressman Earl Blumenauer in Supporting the CLEAN TEA Bill!
• Support the Extractive Industries Transparency Disclosure Act!
• Support the No Dirty Gold Campaign!

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Remember world’s poor: A Letter to the Oregonian

by Robert Brown

Although we are aware of the impact and consequences of the economic crisis in the developed world, many are unaware of how the economic crisis is affecting the world’s most vulnerable people. Because of the shenanigans of the Western world’s financial institutions, 53 million more people will join the ranks of the poorest — those earning less than $2 a day.

While it is understandable that we focus on the problems in our own backyard, we cannot ignore the problems of the poorest countries.

President Barack Obama campaigned and promised leadership in the fight against global poverty. The G-20 Summit was a perfect venue for the president to demonstrate his leadership in this area.

We must see an increase in foreign assistance as a stimulus to the poorest countries. This will go a long way toward reducing the impact of this crisis on the world’s poorest.

We must also see proposals to change the policies of the International Monetary Fund, since its policies have caused much hardship in the developing world.

Finally, I hope to see expanded debt relief and grants as the most effective means of enabling developing countries to provide basic services. Debt relief works. Through debt relief, Tanzania has increased the number of children in primary school by more than 50percent, built 2,500 new schools and hired thousands of new teachers.

ROBERT BROWN
Southwest Portland

Note: We are pleased to report that Robert Brown’s letter was published by The Oregonian on Sunday, April 5, 2009

G20 – Let’s help poor countries: A Letter to the Oregonian

by Pat Rumer

I teach a PSU senior Capstone – Ending Global Poverty and the Millennium Development Goals.  Goal 8 calls on the industrialized nations to cancel debt, increase foreign assistance and reduce trade barriers.

President Barack Obama promised leadership in the fight against global poverty, including reform of the IMF and World Bank. The G-20 meeting is an important moment for the President to act on his campaign promises to assist people living in extreme poverty.

The G20 group is considering an increase in funding for the IMF to assist low income developing countries hard hit by the economic crisis.  But the IMF should not be given a blank check without requiring some serious reforms in the policy advice that the IMF gives and the harsh conditions it imposes on poor countries.

The IMF loan conditions have led to declines in school enrollment, closure of rural health clinics and privatization of water. The IMF’s own evaluation unit found that IMF policies in Sub Saharan Africa in the last twenty years have failed.

The G20 nations should not entrust the IMF to help poor countries. The G20 should support debt cancellation and grants to developing nations.  The IMF has a massive gold reserve and sales of just 1/8^th of the reserves could be used to fund $10 billion in poor country debt relief.  Let’s do the right thing!

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World Water Day 2009

Portland Roasting Coffee Company thanks everyone who joined us on Sunday, March 22nd for the first annual World Water Day celebration in Portland. We raised more  than $28,000 for Water for All. Nearly 300 people participated in the walk.

Thank you and please save the date for World Water Day 2010~ Monday, March 22nd!

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Jubilee Oregon: A Glimpse of Who’s Who

Jubilee Oregon is one of the most active chapters of Jubilee USA—a reputation that we are committed to upholding. We are comprised of a Board of Directors, 18 member congregations and individual volunteers. In addition, our electronic mailing list reaches 1,000 people. As you will see from the bios below, our Board members share a history of community activism and a commitment to global social justice.

Robert Brown

Bob Brown is a long time resident of Oregon and a citizen activist with organizational development experience from his previous employment at Intel Corp. He was trained as a community organizer by the Industrial Areas Foundation. For the past eight years, Bob has led his congregation’s social action activities. His current priorities include Oregon health care reform and reducing global poverty. Bob is a board member of Jubilee Oregon, Oregon New Sanctuary Movement and Oregon Health Action Campaign. You can reach him at rebrown47@gmail.com or at 503-244-3304.

Patricia Rumer

Patricia Rumer founded Jubilee 2000 in Oregon in early 1999.  Jubilee’s first public action was to surround the federal court house in downtown Portland to demonstrate “break the chains of debt.”  Cards and letters were handed to a representative of Congressman David Wu’s office at the event.

In 2001 Jubilee 2000 became the Jubilee USA Network and thus, Jubilee Oregon is the local chapter.  Pat has served on the national board of Jubilee USA Network since 2005 and as co-chair until November, 2008.  She and other board members make presentations, table at international events and regularly visit Members of Congress.  She is particularly proud of the fact that the entire Oregon Congressional delegation signed on as co-sponsors to the 2008 Jubilee ACT and we will do it again this year!!

Pat teaches a senior Capstone at Portland State University on Ending Global Poverty:  MDG’s, Debt Cancellation and Citizen Advocacy.  She loves to travel and to bike.

In the next e-newsletter, we will feature two more members of the Jubilee Oregon family. Stay posted!

To join Jubilee Oregon, email us at jubileeoregon@gmail.com or give us a call at 503-702-3424. You can stay current on Jubilee’s work in Oregon by visiting us at www.jubileeoregon.wordpress.com and at the national level by visiting www.jubileeusa.org.

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ADVOCACY NEWS

by Bob Brown

The Jubilee act in 2009

Jubilee USA is working with Representatives Barney Franks and Maxine Waters to add language to the Bill to support an international framework for responsible lending. This new language will strengthen the bill and will be consistent with the Jubilee strategy. Since Congress is currently in recess, we expect the bill to be introduced in May.

Activities have been slow on the Senate side primarily because there are still appointments that have not been filled in Treasury. We are waiting for the confirmation of Lael Brainard from the Brookings Institution as the Under-secretary of Treasury for International Development.

Vulture Funds

The language for the Vulture Funds Bill has been finalized by Representative Maxine Waters. Representative Bacchus has signed on as a co-sponsor and other co-sponsorships are needed. We hope that vulture fund legislation will be an easy win since there has been much discussion about hedge fund reform as a result of the G‑20 Summit. Expect some advocacy campaign in the near future to support vulture fund legislation.

IMF/Gold Sales – Annual Meetings of the World Bank and IMF

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is continuing forward with its gold sales. The sales will establish an endowment that would fund the IMF’s administrative costs. Jubilee USA and others have requested that part of the proceeds of any sale of gold be applied to directly to debt relief. At the G-20 Summit, the US proposed providing funding to the IMF and gold sales was part of that proposal. We expect Republicans to be opposed to any allocation of IMF money for debt relief. This means that proponents for IMF funding will want to work with Jubilee to ensure money is allocated. <!–[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 <![endif]–> There will be grassroots advocacy to ensure that a portion of the money generated from the IMF gold sales will be used for foreign aid in the form of debt relief.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

JUBILEE 101: 2009 SPRING TRAINING WORKSHOP

TUESDAY- MAY 19^TH

6PM-9PM

ST. ANDREW’S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

805 NE ALBERTA ST.

*Learn about world debt!

*Learn about harmful world economic policies!

*Learn how to teach others about world debt!

*Empower & Take Action!

Please RSVP to jubileeoregon@gmail.com by May 15!

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June 27, 2009

12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

World Forestry Center

Sponsored by the Harambee Center and the World Forestry Center.

Jubilee Oregon will be sharing information on debt cancellation at this event.

Jubilee Oregon E-Newsletter

March 15, 2009

ACTION ALERT: Cancel Haiti’s Debt by Bob Brown

Haiti is a country in crisis and cannot afford to wait for debt cancellation any longer – in the next six months Haiti will pay more than $10 million to the World Bank in debt service. The InterAmerican Development Bank has reached an agreement to suspend most of Haiti’s debt payments in this time of crisis. The World Bank needs to do the same.

Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA), Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-AL) and Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) have written a letter to World Bank President Robert Zoellick, urging him to suspend all further debt service payments from Haiti and grant the nation complete debt cancellation. Rep. Waters is asking her colleagues in the House of Representatives to join her by signing the letter. The more Representatives who sign on to the letter, the stronger the message to World Bank President Zoellick – cancel Haiti’s debt and allow the Haitian government to focus on the needs of its people.

Earl Blumenauer is the only Oregon Representative that has signed the letter.

Call your Representative to urge them to sign on to this letter. For instructions and a call script, go to http://www.jubileeusa.org.

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ADVOCACY NEWS:

Congress to Zoellick: Forgive Haiti ’s Debt!

Oregon Rep. Blumenauer joins 71 Representatives in a Bipartisan Call to End Haiti’s World Bank Debt

On February 26, A bipartisan group of 72 US Representatives including Oregon ’s Earl Blumenauer called on World Bank President Robert Zoellick to immediately suspend all scheduled debt repayments from Haiti and grant complete debt cancellation to the impoverished nation. Haiti currently sends $1.6 million to the World Bank every month. Meanwhile, thousands of Haitians are starving and the nation is struggling to fill a severe budget gap that threatens the struggling democracy’s stability. If you live in his district, please call or e-mail Representative Blumenauer to thank him for his leadership. The text of the letter and a full list of signatories can be found here.

♥ Have a Heart Campaign Update ♥

Grassroots Campaign Asks Geithner – Deadline Extended to March 15

Thanks to all those who have made homemade “hearts” and sent them to Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, asking him to “have a heart” for the world’s poorest people who deal with the realities of unfair debt every day. Over eight thousand hearts have arrived thus far at Jubilee USA’s headquarters. Religious leaders are asking for a meeting with Secretary Geithner where they will deliver the hearts and ask him “what’s on your heart?” For more information and how to get involved, click here.

Frank Lists Debt Cancellation as a Top Priority

At a February Press Conference, House Banking Chair Barney Frank (D-MA) listed debt cancellation as a key priority he hopes to tackle in 2009. This is especially heartening considering the tall tasks the Banking Committee has in dealing with oversight of domestic banks. Congressman Frank and Ranking Member Spencer Bachus (R-AL) have been key allies of Jubilee USA for over a decade.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

JUBILEE OREGON GENERAL MEETING

Sunday, April 5

4-5:30PM

Westminster Presbyterian Church

NE 16th and Hancock Streets

Jubilee Oregon normally meets the second Sunday of every month except for in June and July. Due to Easter, we have changed the meeting to the first Sunday.  We hope to see you there!

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World Water Day | March 22, 2009

Join Jubilee OR members for the walk-a-thon at 1PM on Sunday, March 22!

Cost:  $20 for adults, free for children under 12

Wear your Jubilee OR t-shirt and join other Jubilee folks who will be walking the esplanade. Stop by the Water Education/Action Center at the World Trade Center Plaza, at SW 1st and Taylor Streets, and see the Jubilee display as well as other non-profits working on global issues. There will be two showings of the movie FLOW, a documentary on the impact of water privatization.

Fore more information, visit www.worldwaterdaypdx.com or Portland Roasting Coffee’s World Water Day 2009 site.

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Muslims and Christians: ANYTHING IN COMMON?

March 13 & 14, 2009

The Portland-based Institute for Christian Muslim Understanding will present a free, two-day program at PSU featuring two prominent Muslim and Christian scholars on mutual understanding through faith. See this link for details: http://icmuoregon.org/upcoming.htm

-OTHER IMPORTANT DATES AND EVENTS WITH JUBILEE

Hold the Date:  MAY 4, 2009/ Bishop Desmond Tutu, father of the Jubilee movement, will speak at the Chiles Center, University of Portland on Monday, May 4, 2009.  Cost:  $20-order thru Ticketmaster or purchase directly at the Chiles Center.  Visit www.emoregon.org for more information.  Jubilee OR representative will participate in a workshop on the economic crisis that afternoon.

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Visit the Jubilee OR website at www.jubileeoregon.wordpress.com for updates on local activities, photos and blogs!

Board members meeting with Sen Merkley’s staff in Portland…

The meeting begins….

Getting down to business…

Everybody wants a tee shirt…

Jubilee Oregon E-Newsletter

January 28, 2008

 ♥ What’s on Your Heart Campaign ♥

Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Earlier this week Jubilee launched the What’s on Your Heart campaign. Join with thousand of others to urge the new administration not to close its heart to the needs of our impoverished sisters and brothers around the world.

We hope that Jubilee Congregations will participate by making paper hearts with messages for our new Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner — just a phrase (for example “cancel Haiti’s debt” or “stop vulture funds” or just “drop the debt!”) is fine. Don’t forget to sign your heart with your contact information. Check www.jubileeusa.org for sample messages you can use.

Special postcards addressed to Treasury Secretary Geithner are also available. Or send a message electronically.

We will personally deliver all of your messages to the new Treasury Secretary soon after inauguration day on January 20th.

Happy Holidays – we look forward to receiving your hearts in the new year!

- Chris Laing

Our High School Kids are Amazing

As part of our Jubilee USA advocacy, we are participating in the “What’s in Your Heart” campaign. We, along with the many other Jubilee congregations across the country, are sending messages to the new Treasury Secretary about actions he should do to allow poor countries in the Global South to meet their needs for health care, education and economic improvement.

I visited Havurah High School and asked the students to send a message to the Treasury Secretary Designate a message. We have a group of great kids; we had about 30 kids send postcards or create Heart Messages. The messages were insightful, sensitive and demonstrated an understanding of the issues. Here are some excepts from these messages:

Give $$ to the poor who need it. Stop vulture funds and stop Haiti’s debt if you find the time. Anonymous

Don’t be a blanket that is wet. Reduce the debt! Reduce the debt! Ari Kogan

Please repay climate debt to the global south. The north has made the biggest contribution to global warming while the south suffers the highest cost. The Obama administration should provide grants rather than loans to poor countries to adapt to climate change. Anonymous

Many poor countries like Kenya and Bangladesh need debt relief to fight poverty and expand education and health care, but they are not eligible under the current program. Remember, even the USA needed debt relief from France when we started up. Amelia Wolf

- Bob Brown

Spotlight on Tira Nesset:

Jubilee Oregon’s Newest Board Member

Hello! My name is Tira Nesset, the newest member of the board for Jubilee Oregon.

My road to Jubilee started with a spiritual awakening. Despondent over the barrage of news reports of war, suffering and injustice in the world, I began to lament. I felt, as the psalmist cried – Where are you, God?

A woman of great spiritual discernment pointed out to me that the voice of God is alive and working through those whose hands are busy with the work of seeking justice.  GET UP AND GET BUSY!

I became active in the One Campaign, signing petitions and becoming educated in the issues surrounding extreme poverty.

At the 2007 Harambee event, The Day of the African Child, I picked up brochures on Jubilee Oregon.  I was hungry for a way to take what I had learned from my experience with the One Campaign and put it to work locally with other people on the same page.

The accomplishments of Jubilee Oregon in making the issues of odious debt and global poverty a priority for our state leadership is nothing short of tremendous. This is group of BUSY people! Busy with the work of justice and seeking peace. Busy making a big difference.

I was honored by the welcome I received upon joining this group and feel truly privileged to be elected to the board. There is always much to be done, and I look forward to being part of this exciting opportunity to make a difference.

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Jubilee Oregon Advocacy

Advocacy Actions

The Jubilee Oregon advocacy committee intends to arrange meetings with our new members of congress: Kurt Schrader and Jeff Merkley to get their support for both the Jubilee Act and the Vulture Fund Act. We have a meeting with the local aid from Senator Merkley’s office early in February.

David Carrier was able to meet with the legislative assistants at both offices in DC. From David: “Neither aid was very familiar with debt relief, so we explained the basics and answered questions, for the most part. I described the grassroots organizing we had done to bring attention to the matter. Our ‘ask’ was very simply that they sign on as cosponsors of the Jubilee Act. Then to our delight and surprise, Sen. Merkley came out to greet us and talk about the Jubilee Act. He was very familiar with the details of debt relief, the important of meeting the MDG’s, the necessity of rebuilding our image in the world, etc., and was very comfortable talking about it. He said something close to ‘I see no reason why I couldn’t support it, but will have to look into the details before I make any commitments.’”

Jubilee Act to Be Reintroduced

The main thrust for Jubilee Advocacy at the national level is the reintroduction and passage of the Jubilee Act for Responsible Lending. In the House, we expect Maxine Waters to reintroduce the bill early in the session. It is hoped that what will be introduced will include the amendments as incorporated in the 2008 legislation, Haiti debt cancellation language and possibly vulture funds language. On the Senate side, we know that Senator Casey has agreed to introduce and support the bill. It will be important to get new legislators to cosponsor the bill.

Vulture Funds

Maxine Waters will reintroduce the Vulture Funds legislation early in the session. There will be a grassroots effort to get sponsorship, something there wasn’t time for during the last legislative session.  But pay attention to the legislation that may be introduced by banks that support the vulture fund institutions: The Judgment Abating Foreign Accountability Act. There will be an effort from many groups to prevent this legislation from being introduced.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Jubilee Oregon Monthly Meetings

Join us for our monthly meetings – Sundays, February 8 and March 8, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, NE Hancock and 16th Street.  The location is close to bus lines and there is a parking lot.  Entrance on NE Hancock.  Topics include – Legislative visits with Oregon Congressional delegation re: Jubilee ACT and other actions.

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Jubilee Oregon Congregations Meeting

Monday, February 9, 2009

4:00-5:30PM

Holladay Park Plaza, corner of NE 16th and Multnomah St.

Ask for the Jubilee meeting when you sign in.

This meeting is open to all interested congregations whether you have formally declared yourself as a Jubilee congregation or not.  For agenda items, please email Chris Laing at chris.27@comcast.net.

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Town Hall on the Economic Crisis

Saturday January 31, 2009 at 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

First Unitarian Church

1011 SW 12th Ave.

Delicious food and reception to follow (Doors open at 12:30 pm.)
Donations welcome.
Please bring non-perishable food items for the Oregon Food Bank

While almost $2.5 trillion of our money was squandered on easy term loans to banks and investment houses, we lost 2.6 million jobs in 2008! One million jobs were lost just between Nov. 1st and Dec. 31st of 2008. With a good deal more suffering likely, we are in the most difficult economic times since the Great Depression.

* What are the root causes of the economic crisis?
* What should we fight for? What is a “recovery?”
* How do the millions of people who voted for change help make it happen?

Economists, labor leaders, and community leaders, experts in their fields, will share their perspectives on these questions. We will have workshops and conversations about winning back the right to organize, the role of the labor movement, the kind of health care reform we need, creating a green economy, staying united, building a thriving local sustainable economy, and more.

It’s time for a change. Don’t miss this event! Bring friends and family. Doors open at 12:30 pm. Be sure to get a seat.

Visit www.jwjpdx.org for more information.

Jubilee Oregon and AFSC are cosponsors of this event. Jubilee Oregon will do a panel presentation on the links between our domestic economic crisis and the global economic crisis.

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Havurah Shalom

Scholar-in-Residence

February 27 – March 1, 2009

Please save the dates for this special weekend when Professor Edward Kaplan of Brandeis University will be our Scholar-in-Residence

“Shabbat: Abraham Joshua Heschel and his Palace in Time”

Friday Evening Service, Discussion with Ed Kaplan, 8 p.m.

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“Heschel’s Guidance: Rules for the World of Jewish Political Engagement”

Sunday Morning Workshop with Ed Kaplan, 9 a.m.

Bagel Breakfast $10 for non-members, free for Havurah members

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All events will be held at Havurah Shalom, 825 NW 18^th Avenue, Portland

To RSVP or for more information, call or email 503-248-4662 or info@havurahshalom.org.

Kaplan, who won the National Jewish Book Award for American Jewish Studies this past year, is a famous scholar of religious activists and thinkers, and perhaps best known as a biographer of the great American rabbi and theologian Abraham Joshua Heschel.

Heschel had an original way of connecting Jewish tradition with the critical social and political issues of our day. Though he looked like an old-world rabbi with flowing white hair and beard, Heschel marched with Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma and led protests with the Berrigan brothers against the War in Vietnam. He wrote extensively on every phase of Jewish thought and commented in print, on television, and in person on the importance of scientific research, the psychedelic culture, and the sham of institutional religion. He wasn’t afraid to make enemies among strict observers and in the midst of those who looked to accommodate the superficial trends of modernity. Those who learned at his feet regard him as opening a pathway to spiritual knowledge and self-awareness.

Heschel’s biographer Ed Kaplan will help us understand the internal forces that compelled Heschel to take his strict observance of Jewish teachings and practices into the street; and we know that he will spark that inquiry about our own relationships with past, present and future during the weekend.

- Bob Brown

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Ecumenical Advocacy Days

March 13-16, 2009 – Washington, DC

Check www.jubileeusa.org for information and registration.  Jubilee USA Network and Jubilee OR have scholarship funds available.  Deadline to apply – February 6, 2009.  This is an annual advocacy training event – Jubilee USA Network organizes the economic justice track.

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Save the Date!

Bishop Desmond Tutu will speak on May 4th at the University of Portland.  For more information, visit www.emoregon.org.  Jubilee OR is planning an event to welcome and thank Bishop Tutu for his leadership on debt cancellation.

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RELATED EVENTS

The PCC-sponsored African Film Festival begins February 6-March 7, 2009 at the Cascade campus. For more information, see www.africanfilmfestival.org.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Work to end global poverty and to promote global economic justice. Jubilee Oregon, a local chapter of a national and global network to cancel the debt of the world’s poorest countries, is seeking persons who are interested in global issues, to assign with various action campaigns.

Volunteers are needed to assist at educational and action events – staff information tables at public events, sign people up for Jubilee justice campaigns, and work on website updates and newsletters.  Email jubileeoregon@gmail.com with your name, contact information and a brief description of your skills and experience.  We look forward to working with you to achieve 100% debt cancellation without harmful economic conditions.