Commission on Global Reconciliation

Millennium Development Goals and Sustainable Development Goals

From 2000 to 2015, eight Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) addressed the needs of the “poorest on earth” with some success. The General Convention of the Episcopal Church has voted to commit 0.7% of its budget annually toward international development programs, and it encouraged dioceses and congregations to do the same. Since 2006, The Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee has supported the achievement of the MDGs by assigning 0.7% of our diocesan budget toward their achievement. The re-formulated Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, build on the progress made thus far.

 

Sustainable Development Goals

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals for the period 2015–2030

  1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
  2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture
  3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
  4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote life-long learning opportunities for all
  5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
  6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
  7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all
  8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
  9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
  10. Reduce inequality within and among countries
  11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
  12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
  13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts (in line with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change)
  14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
  15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
  16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
  17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.

Commission on Global Reconciliation

The Commission on Global Reconciliation is a commission appointed by the bishop. Its responsibilities include:

  • Making informed recommendations to the bishop and Commission on Finance and Administration about the disbursement of the 0.7% funds that our diocese has pledged toward projects that will further the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
  • Building an accessible database of and facilitating connections among all ministries in the diocese engaged in world mission and international development.
  • Providing opportunities for education about and engagement with works of global reconciliation ― including using our connection in the Anglican Communion to build relationships with people and communities in the developing world.

Guidelines for Recommendations

In order to decide among a number of worthy requests, we have established the following guidelines: 

  • That the money will be used to meet one or more of the Sustainable Development Goals directly.
  • That there be a continuing relationship between the recipients and members of the diocese.
  • That the funds do not go to a thithird-partynding organization but directly to a program that is administering/using the funds.
  • That there be demonstrated accountability in the form of a report, letter, pictures, or the like.

 In your recommendations please include:

  • Name of the agency
  • Name and address of the contact person (and email if available)
  • Amount Requested
  • How and to whom funds are transferred for this program
  • A description of the program, including specifics about how the money will be used
  • Feel free to use pictures if you have them

Please send your recommendations to the diocesan office. You may direct questions to Deacon Carol Smith.

Commission on Global Reconciliation Prayer

Grant us Lord God, a vision of your world as your love would have it:
A world where the weak are protected, and none go hungry or poor.
A world where the riches of creation are shared, and everyone can enjoy them.
A world where different races and cultures live in harmony with mutual respect.
A world where peace is built with justice, and justice is guided by love.
Give us the inspiration and courage to build it, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Links

Episcopal Relief and Development
Sustainable Development Goals