From left to right: Ana Maria Guzmán, Humberto Martin Shikiya, Bishop Javier Rojas Terán, Juan Ramon Quintana, Walter Altmann, Caterina Bain and Marcelo Schneider. © Maya Nemtala/ Ministry of the Presidency in Bolivia
In La Paz, an ecumenical delegation delivered to Bolivian government officials a statement on ethical principles for a new global economic system. The statement was received by Bolivian minister of the presidency Juan Ramon Quintana at the government palace on 9 January.
The ecumenical delegation was led by Rev. Dr Walter Altmann, a Brazilian pastor and moderator of the World Council of Churches (WCC) Central Committee.
“We share the commitment to work in favour of the future of humankind,” said Quintana while receiving the document titled “São Paulo Statement: International Financial Transformation for the Economy of Life”. “We have to work on a common agenda of cooperation,” he added.
The statement was jointly produced by the participants of a conference in 2012, promoted by the WCC, the World Communion of Reformed Churches and the Council for World Mission in Guarulhos, Brazil.
Speaking to the delegates, Quintana stressed the importance of working in partnership with different global actors. “Churches can be very effective in sharing and promoting gifts that encourage the good living of all people. We work to defend and promote peoples’ dignity, which is also one of your mandates,” Quintana said.
Being a country struggling to elevate its economy, Bolivia is a key participant in the debate on development, especially initiated by the United Nations. The country is now led by its first indigenous president, Evo Morales, working on implementing balance within power structures, introducing a process for fair distribution of the natural resources.