The year of Jubilee is upon us. In 2025, we embrace the biblical vision of release, restoration, and justice as the global movement for debt cancellation reaches a critical moment. The World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) stands at the forefront of this effort, advocating for urgent economic reforms to break the cycles of debt and inequality that continue to oppress the world’s poorest nations.

At the turn of the millennium, the Jubilee 2000 campaign mobilized millions, securing over $100 billion in debt relief for 35 nations. Yet, more than two decades later, the burden of unjust debt remains, forcing vulnerable countries to divert resources away from essential services such as healthcare, education, and climate resilience.

Now, in this Jubilee year, the call for systemic transformation is louder than ever. The WCRC, in partnership with the World Council of Churches (WCC), Caritas Internationalis, Jubilee USA, and the Asia Pacific Movement on Debt and Development, is pressing for bold economic reforms under the New International Financial and Economic Architecture (NIFEA) initiative.

Inspired by Leviticus 25 and Romans 5:5—“Hope does not disappoint”—the Turn Debt into Hope campaign is a global, faith-driven initiative advocating for the immediate cancellation and restructuring of unjust debt. It calls for economic policies that prioritize human dignity and ecological well-being over financial profit, alongside a transparent debt framework under the United Nations to ensure fairness and accountability. This campaign seeks to challenge exploitative financial systems, amplify the voices of affected communities, and push for economic reforms that foster justice, equity, and sustainability for both people and the planet.

Philip Vinod Peacock, WCRC’s executive secretary for justice and witness, emphasized the theological and moral imperative of debt justice, calling it a fundamental issue of faith and equity.

“Unjust debt is a form of modern-day oppression that deepens inequality and strips communities of their right to flourish,” said Peacock. “As people of faith, we must work together to dismantle these exploitative systems and advocate for economic justice rooted in dignity and fairness. Debt injustice is not merely an economic issue; it is a matter of faith and justice. As Reformed churches, we are called to uphold God’s vision of equity and compassion, ensuring that financial structures serve the well-being of all rather than perpetuating cycles of poverty and exploitation.”

Jubilee 2025 builds on the legacy of the Jubilee 2000 movement, recognizing that while past debt relief efforts provided temporary alleviation, systemic economic structures continue to entrench nations in cycles of indebtedness. Today, WCRC and other faith communities reaffirm their commitment to global economic transformation, recognizing that debt justice is inseparable from climate justice, economic exploitation, and systemic inequality.

A Call to Action

As we embrace this Jubilee year, WCRC urges its member churches and partners to take action by:

• Signing the petition at https://turndebtintohope.caritas.org.
• Sharing the campaign across websites, newsletters, and social media.
• Sharing testimonies—WCRC member churches are invited to highlight how debt injustice affects their communities.
• Participating in advocacy events, including the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings, the UN Climate COP30 in Brazil, and the G20 Summit in Johannesburg.

Jubilee 2025 is more than a call for debt cancellation; it is a prophetic vision for economic justice, reconciliation, and ecological responsibility. Just as Jubilee 2000 united millions in a historic call for justice, this new campaign seeks to inspire collective action, confront global injustices, and restore the balance of power.