Seeking to educate and activate around the issue of economic globalization, the economic justice committee sponsors workshops, video/discussion events, and study groups. Our main action project currently is support for a microlending bank in Haiti.

The committee has taken action by passing UUC resolutions endorsing the Earth Charter and the World Bank Bond Boycott; participating in the fair-trade and Buy Local movements; conducting public advocacy in partnership with local coalitions; and participating in regional work as a member of Unitarian Universalists for a Just Economic Community – Northwest Chapter (UUJEC-NW).

The economic justice committee meets every other month after church. For more information, contact Jerome Chroman.

Microlending Program

The main action project of the economic justice group at this time is support for microlending banks. The world’s poor are typically unable to better their circumstances, because they lack assets that would provide the collateral to qualify them for a loan. Microlending banks make small loans ($50 to $300) to the poorest of the world's poor, so they can set up businesses and raise their standard of living. Participants’ motivation and accountability ensure their success, as has been demonstrated worldwide.

The economic justice committee successfully raised money for a microlending bank in Guatemala, and successfully raised $5,000 funds for a second microlending bank in Haiti. The bank will be funded through FINCA (Foundation for International Community Assistance), which has 22 microlending programs in 22 countries in Latin America, Eurasia, Central Asia, and Africa.

The committee will continue to raise funds in 2008 for another microlending bank, and you can help!

• Participating in the PCC "scrip" program, in which you can pre-load a purchasing card with cash, and as you spend down your funds at PCC, 5% of the total will come to UUC for the microlending bank. Contact Judith Wood.
• Join the economic justice group to help us educate ourselves and the congregation on these issues, and plan for our next microlending project. Contact Jerome Chroman.

See also: UU World, “The Microcredit Revolution,” March /April 2005