Policy papers: Economic Justice

The scale and nature of the global economic crisis of 2008 has highlighted the need to rethink how to harness the global economy to work for development.

With an estimated 63 million people pushed into poverty as a result of the crisis, it was revealed that whilst many poor workers, small business owners and farmers suffered devastating consequences because of their vulnerability and poor position in global markets, many others were excluded and simply not benefiting in the first place.

Faith in markets has been shaken, and the moral responsibilities of individuals and governments in guiding economic activities have been rediscovered.

The need to put economic growth back in its place as a tool for real progress, not a proxy for progress or a goal in its own right has risen up the policy agenda.

Politicians have acknowledged that we are “all in this together” and that vast global inequalities are not just indefensible, they are unsustainable and hurt us all by generating instability and dampening the global economy.

CAFOD’s work following the economic crisis aims to:

• Ensure that bigger lessons of the crisis are not lost. The economy must work for people and planet and not the reverse.
• Make the needs poor small businesses and farmers a priority in post-crisis economic recovery plans, such as those discussed at the G20.
  Promote regulation of international finance, trade and investment that works for development.

Policy papers on Economic Justice

Green Economy A brief which aims to unpick differences in approaches to the green economy, to identify what changes would really work for poor men and women.

Thinking small Why poor producers and small business owners may hold the key to a sustainable recovery

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