ORIGINAL TEXT
Resolution:D019
Title:Recommit to MDG's as a Mission Priority
Topic:Mission Strategy
Committee:17 - Stewardship and Development
House of Initial Action:Bishops
Proposer:The Rev. Dr. Ian T. Douglas

Resolved, the House of _______ concurring, That the 76th General Convention commends the leadership of The Episcopal Church at the local, diocesan, and national levels for working towards the meeting of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as an expression of our faithfulness to God's mission of global reconciliation; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention extend its appreciation to the individuals, parishes and dioceses who, in response to General Convention Resolutions 2003-D066 and 2006-D022, have contributed 0.7% of their annual budgets to international development programs as a sign of our participation in the MDG's; and be it further

Resolved, That this convention celebrates the successful raising of three million dollars for international development through the Millennium Inspiration Fund led by Episcopal Relief and Development and partially funded through 0.7% line item budget for the triennium 2007-2009; and be it further

Resolved, That the Convention reaffirm its commitment to the Millennium Development Goals as a primary mission priority through 2015; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention request the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance, to include in the 2010-2012 Budget for The Episcopal Church a budget line item of no less than an additional 1% (reflecting a "cost of giving" increase from 0.7% to1%) of the non-government revenue of The Episcopal Church to support the Millennium Development Goals, and be it further

Resolved, That the funds from the 1% line item be used to support a Nets for Life Inspiration Fund with a goal of five million dollars for the triennium 2010-2012 to be led and administered by Episcopal Relief and Development.


EXPLANATION

The Episcopal Church has been a leader among the churches of the Anglican Communion and other communities of faith, nationally and globally, in calling attention to the Millennium Development Goals (MDG's) as one way of responding to God's mission of reconciliation. Countless individual Episcopalians, and Episcopal parishes and dioceses, have taken up the challenge to meet the MDG's by contributing 0.7% of their annual income to international development as commended by 1998 Lambeth Conference, Resolution I.15 and General Convention resolutions 2003-D066 and 2006-D022. The 75th General Convention responded similarly by adding a 0.7% line item (approximately $900,000) to the 2007-2009 budget of The Episcopal Church. These funds were used to seed a successful three million dollar Millennium Inspiration Fund for international development led by Episcopal Relief and Development under the auspices of the Executive Council. The draft budget for the 2010-2012 triennium does not include a 0.7% line item for the MDG's. This resolution reinstates the line item with a "cost of giving" increase to 1%, as voiced by President of the House of Deputies, Dr. Bonnie Anderson. The new 1% line item is to be used to help fund a new five million dollar Nets for Life Inspiration Fund led by Episcopal Relief and Development. It is estimated that the five million dollar Nets for Life Inspiration Fund will be able to protect approximately 18 million people from needless death from malaria by the end of the 2010-2012 triennium.