November 13, 1999

CLEVELAND—The National Council of Churches today unanimously reaffirmed its longstanding support for the United Nations and adopted seven "pillars of peace" that it said can produce "peace rooted in justice" in the 21st century.

The NCC's General Assembly, in a companion move, urged the United States Congress to pass legislation which would pay off the $2 billion owed to the United Nations by the U.S. government. The resolution's principal author, Mia Adjali of the United Methodist Church, said payment of the U.N. obligation would be "a fitting tribute to our new president," former U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young.

The Assembly also adopted resolutions condemning the use of children as soldiers around the world and reaffirmed its support for the establishment of an International Criminal Court.

Ms. Adjali noted that the U.S. Senate recently passed a key piece of legislation related to child labor, including their use as soldiers, when it adopted International Labor Organization Convention Number 182 prohibiting the "worst forms of child labor."

The Assembly commended the United Nations and the International Conference in Rome for creating the International Criminal Court and called upon the U.S. to "provide international leadership by signing the treaty."

The pillars of peace adopted by the Assembly are based upon what the statement calls "Biblically-based beliefs" that God is sovereign over all creation, that all races are equal in the unity of creation, that all persons have dignity and worth as children of God and that the church testifies to God's action in history as it engages in ministries of witness, peacemaking and reconciliation.

The seven pillars of "peace rooted in justice" are:

1. political accountability by all international, national and civic authorities;
2. economic accountability "to seek a just, participatory and sustainable economic order ... for all people and all creation";
3. legal accountability—"a comprehensive international legal system ... to hold accountable those who disturb peace and violate international law";
4. liberation and empowerment so that "vulnerable and marginalized groups" have a say in "redressing the causes and consequences of injustice and oppression";
5. peace and conflict resolution including "the end of the unrestrained production, sale and use of weapons worldwide";
6. human dignity and rights, meaning "respect of the inherent dignity of all persons" and adherence to the International Bill of Human Rights; and
7. preservation of the environment, meaning "a commitment to the long-term sustainability of the means of life."