
Africa CSID at KAIROS Canada’s Solidarity Partners Meeting
Last week, Africa CSID participated in KAIROS Canada’s Solidarity Partners Meeting, which brought together partners from Africa, the Philippines, Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, Afghanistan, Israel, and Palestine. It was a valuable opportunity for learning and sharing, allowing partners to reflect on the work implemented over the past year and align priorities for the year ahead.
Discussions covered upcoming meetings, events, and conferences, including CSW69, the G7 and G20 meetings, UNGA, the SBI Bonn Meeting, and COP30. A key focus was on shaping solidarity messages for these meetings, emphasizing the impact of our collective participation on the marginalized communities we serve.
Partners also discussed plans for various organizational, national, regional, and global campaigns aligning with KAIROS Canada’s mission. A standout topic was the Jubilee 25 campaign, launched with Pope Francis opening the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. The celebration brought together diverse groups, including political leaders and celebrities, marking the beginning of a celebration that will conclude on January 6, 2026.
KAIROS Canada itself was born out of the Jubilee 2000 campaign, which focused on debt relief, guided by the Leviticus 25 principles of forgiveness and liberation. That movement led to the cancellation of $100 billion in debt, benefiting over 35 countries. However, it fell short of achieving comprehensive financial reforms.
The Jubilee 25 campaign carries the theme “Turning Debt into Hope”, aiming not only for debt cancellation but also for systemic financial reforms. A significant aspect of this includes addressing ecological debt, such as loan-based climate finance, and advocating for just financial practices through people- and nature-centred tribunals for unjust debts. Participants emphasized that the concept of Jubilee is one of justice, not charity.
For Africa CSID, this meeting was an enlightening experience, particularly as we heard from those who were part of the Jubilee 2000 campaign. Their reflections provided valuable insights into what to expect this time around. We look forward to actively engaging in Jubilee 25 activities throughout the year and strengthening our collaboration with KAIROS Canada and its global partners.
Together, we hope to achieve debt cancellation and meaningful financial reforms that address unjust debt and economic inequality.