Putting Life Before Debt (CI - CIDSE, 1998, 38 p.)

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

INTRODUCTION

PART I: Debt and Jubilee

What is International Debt?

A Catholic Framework on Debt

Why Now?

How did the debt crisis come about?

Impact in the South

PART II: Reducing Debt

Early Attempts to Reduce Debt

Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) Initiative

Shortcomings of the HIPC Initiative

PART III: CIDSE/Caritas Internationalis Position on International Debt

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1. Cancel the unpayable debt by the year 2000

2. Improve the HIPC Initiative

3. Link debt cancellation with investment in human development

4. Ensure decisions on debt relief are made in a transparent way

5. Change the Structure of International Financial Relations

CONCLUSION

APPENDICES

Appendix 1: CIDSE and Caritas Internationalis contacts

Appendix 2: Catholic Church Statements on Debt, 1987-1997 (by year)

Appendix 3: International and National Organizations on Debt

Appendix 4: Advocacy: Steps to Build a Campaign on Debt

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1. Learn more about the debt issue

2. Establish clear aims and specific objectives

3. Build awareness at the grassroots level and among coalitions

4. Lobby decision makers

GLOSSARY

NOTES

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