Regarding development assistance, "the inclusion as partners of civil society organizations including especially religious communities" is another request put forward by religious leaders who call on the G8 to fulfil "the Millennium Development Goals" by 2015. The statement also expresses the hope that Africa, " already hard hit by the world financial crisis", will be placed by the international community "at the centre of policies for development". Strong is also the call for a total disarmament in the world. "As "we believe that the attempt to militarily dominate the sea, space, neutral territories or states creates obstacles on the way to nuclear and conventional disarmament", we "request the G8 Summit to pursue rigorous implementation of nuclear reduction and non-proliferation policies leading to the goal of total nuclear disarmament" and we "press for prompt ratifications and entry into force of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty". Religious leaders call attention even to "the plight of the ever growing number of ‘illegal' immigrants" urging that "the full rights and dignity of people be respected". To realise the common good, ends the document, "we call for the establishment of mechanisms for dialogue between religious communities, political leaders, international organisations and civil society structures".
© SIR
