Alternative Globalization Addressing Peoples and Earth

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critically at globalization, and found that it had had a deleterious effect
on people’s lives. They had experienced that globalization had led from
a lack of markets to a situation where the world itself is a market, a
commodity to be developed so as to return a profit. Their message to the
world - “Serve God, not mammon” - was addressed not only to churches
in Eastern and Central Europe, but also to churches in the West and in
the South.
This linking of church conferences around the world on the subject of
globalization is a new ecumenical form of dealing with globalization
that contributes to the AGAPE process. Budapest asked a challenging
question, “Will the churches have the courage to engage with the ‘values’
of a profit-oriented way of life as a matter of faith, or will they withdraw
into the ‘private’ sphere?” and suggested that “This is the question our
churches must answer or lose their very soul.” 20
“We ask the churches to help their members to rediscover the traditional
Christian values of self-restraint and asceticism (simplicity of life-style),
and to propagate these values in their societies as a way of countering
individualism and consumerism, and as an alternative foundation for
economic and social development,” Budapest said.
Global conference on economic globalization: The Island of Hope, Fiji,
August 12-16 2001:
The WCC in conjunction with the Pacific Conference of Churches
organized a consultation on economic globalization in order to accompany
the Pacific churches’ efforts to find alternatives to globalization. Their
concept, the Island of Hope, holds up life-centered values deeply rooted
in Pacific communities as a viable source for a just and sustainable economy
and life in dignity.
“Spirituality, family life, traditional economy, cultural values, mutual
care and respect are components of the Island of Hope which prioritizes
relationships, celebrates the quality of life and values human being and
creation over production of material goods. The Island of Hope is an
alternative to the project of economic globalization which entails
domination through an unjust system...”
“On our Island of Hope, life is valued and celebrated in maneaba
(Kiribati), the fale (Samoa), the cava ceremony (Fiji and Tonga), the
bilum and sam celebrations (Papua New Guinea) and the nut celebration
(Solomon Islands)... These symbols and rituals are living examples of
the ethos of communal life and communal economic and social relations;
20
“Serve God, not mammon”, message from the joint consultation on globalization in
Central and Eastern Europe: response to ecological, economic and social consequences,
June, 24-28, 2001, Budapest
21
The Island of Hope: the Pacific churches’ response to economic globalization, WCC, 2001