Voices on Structural Greed
More than 40 delegates, including a dozen Muslims, church officials, economists and secular social activists met at the end of September 2011 in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, to address the question of structural greed.
Peggy Mekel, lecturer in International Business Administration at Sam Ratulangi University in Manado, Indonesia, and small business advisor for youth, was one of the participants at the Department for Theology and Studies consultation.
What are your expectations of this event?
My expectation of this interfaith dialogue is to share and learn more about the way in which the market system affects people–especially the poor–and the widening gap between the poor and the rich. It is important to learn what teachings Islam and Christianity have in common so that people may live in dignity.
I expect that the results of this event will help us to introduce into our communities an alternative system such as a solidarity or participatory economy.
Hopefully each one of us will share the fruitful experience with our local communities.
What have you learned from this event?
As a Christian, I was glad to learn about Islamic teachings about the economy and the “commons.” We now need to act together since we live together, side by side, on this same planet. At the local community level we must think globally, start small and act now.
Furthermore I learned that it is the community that must manage the “commons.” This is a challenge, both for Christians and for Muslims since today’s world is very individualistic.
How can Christians and Muslims help one another to live lives less touched by the structures greed?
During this interfaith dialogue, we have reached a common understanding about the participatory economy. We recognize that we have to start combating structural greed.
We should continue to train the clergy, both Christian and Muslim. We need to build broad alliances to put pressure on the market system. We should start at the local community level, organize workshops and interfaith dialogues, and take common action for the dignity of all people in the world.
Interview conducted September 2011
See also:
- Education Key to Tackling Greed
- Develop Interfaith Networks to Combat Greed
- Political and Economic Democracy Cannot Be Separated
- FEATURE: Small Church Loans Boost Farming, Build Interfaith Harmony in Indonesia
- Act Together at the Community Level to Combat Greed
- Message of Hope to Transform Greed
- Time Is Now to Change Consumption Habits
- Muslims and Christians Engaging Structural Greed Today
- Issue of Justice for All of Society
- Faith Basis for Just Economic Practices
