Turn Debt into Hope
Right now the world is facing its worst debt crisis. Currently, 54 countries – from Samoa to Malawi – are struggling under crushing debt. This problem has only been getting worse. This crisis is taking away hope, lives, and opportunity from the poorest people in the world.
Why our leaders need to act on debt relief
In his invitation letter to mark the 2025 Jubilee, Spes Non Confundit ("Hope does not disappoint," Rom 5:5), Pope Francis reminds us that "hope should be granted to the billions of the poor who often lack the essentials of life" and that "the goods of the Earth are not destined for a privileged few, but for everyone." Inspired by this profound call to justice, Caritas Internationalis—together with faith-based, and civil society organisations—invites all people of goodwill to join our campaign, Turn Debt into Hope. Together, we urge decision-makers to prioritize people and planet over profit.
Today, unsustainable public debts rob nations of resources needed for health, education, and climate action, trapping generations in poverty. As the Holy Father writes, "if we really wish to prepare a path to peace in our world, we must commit ourselves to remedying the remote causes of injustice, settling unjust and unpayable debts" (Spes Non Confundit, 16). We must act now to break this cycle of inequality.
By supporting Turn Debt into Hope, you join millions of families worldwide in their fight to uphold dignity. This global campaign delivers one powerful message to creditors and political leaders: choose courage and compassion.
Stand with us. Together, we can turn debt into hope and build a more just world.
Register for the launch of Turn Debt Into Hope
Register now for our launch webinar on 16 May to be amongst the first to find out how you can join the call to turn debt into hope. By registering and participating in our webinar, you will learn more about the problems debt is causing, why this campaign is happening during the Jubilee Year, and how you can take action to support global economic justice. The launch will take place on May 16, 2025 at 12:00 PM (AEST)
You can register via Zoom, by clicking here.
Caritas Oceania's message of hope
"Frequent, strong cyclones destroy our schools our hospitals and our homes but there's a bigger problem we are facing, a money problem."
-Leba Tamari , Caritas Fiji
How can our leaders turn debt into hope?
In partnership with Caritas Internationalis, we are calling on world leaders to:
Stop the debt crisis now by cancelling and remedying unjust and unsustainable debts, without economic policy conditions
Prevent debt crises from happening again by addressing their root causes, reforming the global financial system to prioritise people and the planet
Establish a permanent, transparent, binding and comprehensive debt framework within the United Nations.
Jubilee year, debt and hope
"About 3.3 billion people now live in countries that spend more on repaying debts than on healthcare, education or tackling the climate crisis"
-CAFOD (Catholic Agency For Overseas Development)
“For those of us in the Pacific, the connections between debt and climate disasters are important ones to consider. In many developing countries, and countries that are vulnerable to climate change, governments are paying more in interest and other debt servicing obligations than they are on health, education, or climate adaptation. Action must be taken to forgive debt and prevent it in the future.”
