2007 is a year of special significance: it is a Jubilee Year - and is also the bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act. The campaign to cancel the debt of the world's poorest countries was inspired by the biblical concept of Jubilee and modelled on the anti-slavery campaign; in 2007 these two strands therefore come together again, with the same clarion call to justice.

Many view international debt as a modern form of slavery: poor countries are still obliged to pay their debts to the rich with money that could be used for the health and education of their own people; what's more, the debt relief that has been given comes with damaging economic policy conditions imposed by the institutions of the wealthy nations, sometimes forcing poor countries to liberalise their trade and privatise their water supplies.

The Jubilee Debt Campaign has made a difference: some debts have been cancelled, and some of the world's poorest people have seen the benefit. But there is much more to be done if the chains are to be broken and the poor allowed to go free. That's why in this coming Jubilee Year all churches are to be invited to register as JUBILEE CONGREGATIONS as a sign of their commitment to this vision of freedom - in return for the pledge to take action on debt as part of their worship a minimum of once a year, Jubilee Congregations will receive worship resources and simple, clear campaigning information. This new initiative will also include JUBILEE SCHOOLS, who will be provided with resources for assemblies, citizenship - and many other parts of the curriculum.

The faiths have been a vital part of all that has been achieved on debt thus far; please indicate your interest in building on this in 2007 by contacting

Audrey Miller
4 Over Mill Drive
Birmingham
B29 7JL
0121 471 4175