Action Tips: Lobby members of Congress to support the Jubilee Act

What is it?

The Jubilee Act expands debt cancellation to the 26 countries that require it to meet the Millennium Development Goals. This legislation ensures that debt cancellation funds go to poverty reduction by requiring a report of how each country used the money and calling on governments to make these spending reports easily accessible. Debt cancellation is a tested and effective tool for fighting poverty.

  • Savings from debt cancellation to date has allowed Zambia to hire 4,500 new teachers and provide free healthcare in rural areas.
  • In Honduras, debt relief is being used to eliminate fees for primary education, allowing thousands of children to return to school.

What's proposed?

The bill introduced in December of 2009 will:

  • Expand eligibility for 100 percent debt cancellation without harmful economic conditions to 65 impoverished countries
  • Urge the Obama Administration to make a new deal on debt in which poor countries have a chance to fight poverty instead of paying off huge debts

What can you do?

Send a message to your Member of Congress today to urge him/her to be an early co-sponsor!


Take Action

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    4. Millennium Development Goals:

    In 2000, 189 nations came together and made a promise to eradicate extreme poverty by 2015.

Comments

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Dusti.Arab says:
 

If we are going to eradicate poverty, we better get moving. There are so many people in the world that need help; the more people we can reach about these issues, the better!