Archbishop Invests in Immunisation Bond Scheme

The scheme has been organised by the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt Hon Gordon Brown. As well as Dr Williams, others who will be among the first to purchase bonds are Pope Benedict VI, the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations, Sir Jonathan Sacks, the Muslim Council of Britain, the Hindu Forum of Britain and the Network of Sikh organisations.

Dr Williams, who joined with other faith leaders and their representatives to collect their bonds from Gordon Brown, said today [7th November 2006] that the fact the scheme had the support of faith leaders was important:

"No-one needs reminding that faith and the state can be at odds on occasion about certain issues of contemporary significance. This emphatically is not such an occasion; indeed quite the opposite. I am delighted to be here with other Church and faith leaders to endorse an initiative masterminded by the Chancellor, which we all hope will deliver something of uncommon good to millions of children - and by extension their parents - the great majority of whom are living in abject poverty at huge risk to their health and happiness. By buying a bond I make a small contribution to a much bigger effort to mobilise resources to relieve poverty and suffering and build hope for a better future."

To view the International Finance Facility for Immunisation website click here