A recent conference highlighted the subject of 'transparent and ethical investment' Photo: Photo: William Warby / flickr CC
Young Friends highlight economic injustice
A recent conference highlighted the subject of 'transparent and ethical investment'
Young Friends have urged Quakers in Britain to become more involved in the debate over economic injustice and ethical investment.
The subject of ‘transparent and ethical investment’ and, in particular, the investment policy of Britain Yearly Meeting (BYM), was a major topic of discussion at the recent Politically Engaged Young Friends Conference held at Westminster Meeting House in mid-August.
Young Friends are calling on Area Meetings, BYM and other Quaker organisations to build on ‘our history of ethical investment’ and ‘ensure our policies and practices continue to follow our concerns and work for social justice and sustainability’.
Sam Sender, who attended the conference, said: ‘Friends spoke keenly about the power of Quaker money to bring about peace, equality, simplicity, truth and sustainability and we are keen to encourage debate within the Quaker community on how we live out our testimonies through our investments.’
A concerned group, who came together as a result of the recent conference, has requested full details of BYM’s investments, which they plan to discuss at Young Friends General Meeting in October. They urge Friends to start discussions at their Local and Area Meetings and online, both about national BYM policies and the investments held by many Area Meetings.
Young Friends plan to kick-start the debate with Quakernomics blogs. Bloggers will include author Jennifer Kavanagh, who has researched and visited innovative cutting-edge microcredit schemes, and Sam Robinson, a student activist who campaigned for the University of Sheffield to divest from the arms trade.
Young Friends cited good examples such as the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, whose £150 million investments are increasingly geared towards building a more just and peaceful world, and the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust, which divested from investments relating to South Africa during the apartheid regime.
Carla Denyer added: ‘As Quakers in Britain, we are lucky to have large investments through which to put our faith into action. Our investments are a vital opportunity to further peace, sustainability and equality at home and internationally.’
