A CHURCH of Scotland-led conference in Edinburgh will focus on the importance of ethical and socially-responsible banking and investment for the church and wider community.
The Kirk’s Church and Society Council and the Ecumenical Council for Corporate Responsibility have organised the Banking on Justice Conference to be held on Thursday, 18 March, at St George’s West Church.
The conference aims to tackle issues of justice in global finance and how churches and organisations can invest for a fairer future using ethically socially responsible models of finance and investment.
Reverend Ian Galloway, convener of the Kirk’s Church and Society Council, said: “Communities of faith need to consider the social and environmental impacts of our financial system. The Banking on Justice Conference has been set up because all too often the operation of global finance harms the poorest people and the poorest countries. We need to develop forms of banking and investment that lead to fairer and more sustainable outcomes.”
Representatives from Christian Aid Scotland, the Co-operative Bank, Tridos banks, the Ethical Property Company and ethical investment specialists EIRIS will also attend the conference.
Miles Litvinoff, EECR co-ordinator said: “Socially-responsible investment and ethical banking can help raise standards of corporate responsibility. The conference will bring together experts on the practicalities of making money work for good to help churches and others make the change.”
NR/18/03/10 Wednesday 3 March, 2010
Notes to News Desks:
Banking on Justice: Churches investing for a fairer future is on Thursday 18 March, 2010, from 10am-4.30pm at St George’s West Church, Shandwick Place, Edinburgh.
For further information please contact Nick Jury, senior media relations officer, Media and Communications, Church of Scotland, on 0131 240 2268 or email njury@cofscotland.org.uk to arrange interviews with Rev Ian Galloway, convener of Church and Society Council of the Church of Scotland.
Or alternatively Murdo MacDonald, policy officer, Society, Religion and Technology Project, Church of Scotland, on 0131 225 5722 extension 343 or email mmacdonald@cofscotland.org.uk
The Church of Scotland published a report entitled Justice and Markets in 2009. The report can be found online. http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/councils/churchsociety/downloads/csjusticeandmarkets09.pdf
The conference is supported by ACTS, CTPI, SCIAF, Christian Aid and the Iona Community.
The Ecumenical Council for Corporate Responsibility is a church-based investor coalition and membership organisation of British and Irish churches working for economic justice and environmental sustainability through corporate and investor responsibility. ECCR undertakes research, advocacy and dialogue with companies and investors. It seeks to influence company policy and practice and to raise awareness among British and Irish churches, the investor community and the general public.
For more information online, visit www.eccr.org.uk
ECCR has published a document entitled Investment and Engaging with Companies: A guide for faith communities, online at www.eccr.org.uk/Publications
Helen Boothroyd, church and membership relations officer, the Ecumenical Council for Corporate Responsibility, on 01325 580 028, email helen.boothroyd@eccr.org.uk
Miles Litvinoff, co-ordinator for the Ecumenical Council for Corporate Responsibility, on 020 8965 9682/07984 720 103, email miles.litvinoff@eccr.org.uk
MEDIA RELEASE posted by the Church of Scotland. You too can post media releases (aka press releases) on allmediascotland.com. For more information, email here.
Contact: Nick Jury
Phone: 0131 240 2268
Email: njury@cofscotland.org.uk
Website: http://www.cofscotland.org.uk
