The worldwide Jubilee 2000 movement, is inspired by a biblical tradition that states that every 50 years the jubilee year is celebrated, in which the debts were spared, land was redistributed, slaves were released and adjustments based on social justice and equity were made.

In 1999 the Pope said in an audience with a delegation of Jubilee 2000 that

"debt cancellation is only a part of the larger task of fighting poverty… programs of debt cancellation should be accompanied by the introduction of sound economic policies and good governance. But, as important as that, is that the benefits that arise… reach the poorest people… Debt cancellation, however, is urgent. It represents in many ways a precondition for the poorest countries to progress in their fight against poverty ".

Translated by Lisa Brahms

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