Jubilee 2000

Jubilee 2000 refers to a coalition of networks across the world made up of development-oriented nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), faith-based groups, trade unions, and other labor and protest groups advocating against the neoliberal policies and conditions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The goal of this social movement was to persuade Western governments and major donor institutions to cancel the increasing debt burden of the world’s poorest nations, also called the heavily indebted poor countries (HIPCs), by 2000. In biblical terms (Leviticus 25:8–12), the concept of “jubilee” suggests that every 50 years, land should be restored to its original owners, slaves should be freed, and there should be a universal reduction of debts. The year 2000 was deemed appropriate for jubilee for both religious and secular ...