Loading...Resolved, that this Convention extend its appreciation to the individuals, parishes of our diocese who have contributed 0.7% of their annual budgets to international development programs as a sign of their participation in the MDG's; and be it further
Resolved, that this Convention join the Episcopal Church in reaffirming its commitment to the Millennium Development Goals as a primary mission priority through 2015.
EXPLANATION
The Episcopal Church has been a leader among the churches of the Anglican Communion and other communities of faith, nationally and globally, in calling attention to the Millennium Development Goals (MDG's) as one way of responding to God's mission of reconciliation. Countless individual Episcopalians, and Episcopal parishes and dioceses, have taken up the challenge to meet the MDG's by contributing 0.7% of their annual income to international development as commended by 1998 Lambeth Conference, Resolution I.15 and General Convention resolutions 2003-D066 and 2006-D022. The 75th General Convention responded similarly by adding a 0.7% line item (approximately $900,000) to the 2007-2009 budget of The Episcopal Church. These funds were used to seed a successful three million dollar Millennium Inspiration Fund for international development led by Episcopal Relief and Development under the auspices of the Executive Council. The draft budget for the 2010-2012 triennium does not include a 0.7% line item for the MDG's. This resolution reinstates the line item with a "cost of giving" increase to 1%, as voiced by President of the House of Deputies, Dr. Bonnie Anderson. The new 1% line item is to be used to help fund a new five million dollar Nets for Life Inspiration Fund led by Episcopal Relief and Development. It is estimated that the five million dollar Nets for Life Inspiration Fund will be able to protect approximately 18 million people from needless death from malaria by the end of the 2010-2012 triennium.
In 2004 the 176th Convention of the Diocese of Kentucky directed the Budget Committee and Trustees and Council to adopt the goal of 0.7% giving for International Development in the diocesan budget for 2005 and beyond, in support of the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals; and that same 176th Convention challenged all congregations in the Diocese to give 0.7% of their budgets to international development programs, and to contact their elected representatives, urging them to support the United States government’s fulfillment of its commitments to funding international development aid at 0.7% of U.S. gross national product (GNP).
