In the year 2000 the Heads of State and governments of all the member States of the UN signed the “Millennium Declaration” in New York. They affirmed that “The globalized civilization of the third millennium possesses the wealth, knowledge and means to achieve the dream of a humanity freed from extreme poverty and the lack of basic needs.” These goals were meant to be reached by 2015 but have only partially been achieved.

There are many issues still open. Therefore we appeal to governments and political institutions:

1. To reduce public expenditure on arms in order to guarantee a fairer distribution of resources. Currently the amount spent on weapons globally is equal to 1,740 billion dollars (UNODA). We believe that a turnaround on current investments is necessary, so as to give greater support to cooperation between countries and build peace.

2. To work at the root causes of inequality and combat extreme poverty. The financial crisis has further emphasized the gap between rich and poor. More than 35% of the world’s population is still malnourished while 20 cents a day would be enough to save a child from hunger (World Food Programme). Pope Francis’ words are meaningful: “How can it be that it is not a news item when an elderly homeless person dies of
exposure, but it is news when the stock market loses two points? … Today we also have to say “thou shalt not” to an economy of exclusion and inequality. Such an economy kills” (Evangelii Gaudium 53).

3. To review current models of governance. Greater democratic control is needed in the choice of economic and monetary policies. More control is required over financial institutions whose behaviour was one of the main causes of the economic crisis. We need to rediscover a political vision centred on the common good. Money and finance should return to their role as tools and not ends of human behaviour.

4. To act more effectively to combat criminal phenomena like drug dealing, human trafficking and the illegal exploitation of the environment. We appeal especially for renewed commitment to effectively opposing widespread corruption in institutions.

5. To guarantee a level of universal primary education that allows the full development of the person and their capacity for self-determination. According to recent data from UNESCO (2014), one child in ten still has no access to a school and 759 million adults are not able to read and write.

Rome 24th September 2015

Youth for a United World

We invite religious leaders, key figures in culture, the arts and sport, and all persons of good will to support this appeal, thus putting into practice what Gandhi said: “Be the change you want to see in the world”.