A Faith Leaders’ Summit at the Pittsburgh G-20 Meetings
The September Group of 20 Summit in Pittsburgh presents a unique opportunity for U.S. religious leaders to raise our concern for the plight of the world’s poor.
For a several days, world attention will be focused on Pittsburgh, where the deliberations of the G20 leaders will focus on actions needed to assure a sustainable recovery from the global economic crisis.
Faith leaders gathered there will remind them that any recovery must include the 1 billion people who now live in extreme poverty and hunger.
We also want the entire G20 to join the commitment made by the G8 in July to develop a global food security initiative.
At their meeting in Italy, the G-8 pledged $20 Billion, primarily invested in agriculture, to combat hunger in developing countries.”
As Bread for the World President David Beckmann said, “We hope and pray that this promise will translate into a durable commitment to support the efforts of hungry and poor people to lift themselves out of poverty.
Bread for the World, in cooperation with the Alliance to End Hunger and partner organizations, hosted a Faith Leaders Summit for prayer and public witness in Pittsburgh on the morning of September 23, the eve of the G20 meetings.
"We are thankful to President Obama for bringing to the G-20 issues that are important to poor people, said Rev. David Beckmann, president of Bread for the World.
"They include employment -- which is vital to U.S. workers suffering an unemployment rate of nearly 10 percent -- climate change, and efforts to promote a strengthened development agenda for food security and agriculture."
"Real action must now follow the positive statements they made during the summit."
Watch this page for updates and photographs from the G-20 Summit.
To participate in the press conference of the Faith Leaders Summit via teleconference — Wednesday, September 23, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., ET — dial 1-888-551-9020 and provide confirmation number 1554819.
