The impacts of financial decisions are felt far beyond balance sheets and profit margins. The choices made by financial institutions hold the power to shape our world, affecting not only economies but also societies, the environment, and with this, peace. As concerned individuals driven by the principles of The Economy of Francesco, we stand united to address a pressing issue that demands our attention: unethical investments.
In recent years, financial institutions have come under scrutiny for their involvement in investments that contribute to armed conflicts, environmental degradation, and social injustices. Evidence shows that the most impacted by these ongoing abuses and violations are the women and children. According to a research published in 2022, the largest 15 European banks invested more than 87 billion in arms companies that provides weapons to states that are under armed conflict or are responsible for severe human rights violations.
At the same time, from the donations regarding private social investment, less than 2% reach organizations that work for women’s and girls’ rights. This disparity denotes that not only women and children are the most affected by armed conflicts, but also are the ones who are less financially supported to overcome war and build sustainable peace.
These “wicked investments” undermine the very values we hold dear — values of sustainability, responsibility, and compassion. It is with a sense of urgency and purpose that we present our campaign to promote ethical finance and responsible investments.
Our campaign is not just a call for action; it is a call for accountability and change. We believe that financial institutions have a moral obligation to invest in ways that align with the well-being of humanity and the planet. Through this proposal, we outline our strategic approach to raising awareness, fostering change, and creating a movement that empowers individuals and promotes a good change in the financial institutions.
We envision a future where financial decisions reflect our shared values, where investments are vehicles for positive change and peacebuilding.
Together, we have the power to influence financial institutions to divest from destructive activities and invest in the future we all deserve. This campaign proposal serves as a roadmap to our mission — a mission that calls for ethical finance, responsible investments, and a better world.
Event link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78sFW_UYnaE
Duration of the Event: 1h30
Organization website link: https://francescoeconomy.org/
Date of the event: 11/20/2023
Time of the event: 4:00 pm