1. Global Sustainability Network (GSN)
GSN is headed by: Bishop Sanchez (Chancellor, Pontifical Academy of Sciences & Social
Sciences,Vatican) Lord Bishop Alastair Redfern (Church of England) and philanthropist Raza
Jafar.
The origins of the “Global Sustainability Network” stemfrom the endeavours of the Joint Declaration
of Religious Leaders signedon 2 December 2014. This was a gathering of religious leaders from
across most faiths, working togetherto defend the dignity and freedom of human beings against the
extreme forms of the globalization of indifference, such as exploitation, forced labour, prostitution,
human trafficking, etc., This initiative showed,that despite the different views religions may have
about the notion of God, all are fully capable of working togetherto defend against a grave evil in the
world.
The momentum this created then led to the successful Strategic Planning Sessionheld at Lambeth
Palace in December 2015, where the mandate of the network was broadened to include global
sustainability and recognise the significance of Pope Francis’ Encyclical Laudato si’, which spells out
the relationship between the two emergencies of climate change and modern slavery. In synergy with
these efforts of the religious leaders and the Encyclical Laudato si’, the United Nations recently
implemented the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Goal 8 which aims to “Promote
sustained,inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent
work for all” These Global Goals are now a moral imperative for the 193 UN member states.
As part of this programme of coordinated action the Global Sustainability Network organised a high-
level forum at the headquarters of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, which took take place at
the Casina Pio IV in the Vatican on 18 March 2016 to consider how leaders from the four key
sectors of Business,Government, Media and Community could build greater global awareness of these
problems and design integrated solutions to these new emergencies. Seventy leading global
philanthropists, entrepreneurs, businessmen,charities and individuals participated in the Forum, which
was a resounding success in building the first steps in creating four dedicated sectors for GSN –
Business,Government and Media/Community.

2. Following on from the Rome Forum sixty global change makers participated in the Government and
Business sessions at Westminster Abbey, London on 31 May 2016 where upon several initiatives
were presented and discussed in an open forum. GSN is now looking at supporting and expanding
some of these initiatives and is also exploring new ones - these are currently being documented into a
proposalwith the aim of actioning them in 2017.
For the remainder of 2016 the Global Sustainability Network is planning a Media/ Community Forum
in New York on 28th September at the United Nations HQ. Plus all five sectors of GSN -Business,
Government, Media, Community and Faith will be gathering in Dubai, UAE, 6 & 7 December 2016
with the aim of actioning the initiatives in 2017 and launching GSN to the world.
Goals of the GSN
In the light of the faith valuesthat the religious leaders have highlighted,the goals of the Global
Sustainability Network are:
 To promote responsible human activities, which acknowledge our obligations to respect our
fellow human beings by combating modern day slavery (human trafficking, forced labour,
prostitution,organ trafficking) and to protect the planet (environmental care and climate
change)
 To develop a better interaction between economics, society and environment (People, Planet
and Profit – Global Sustainability). Developing the needs of the present without
compromising the needs of the future generations.
 To further its goals the Global Sustainability Network will carry out a programme of
coordinated action and activity with international organisations,governments and national
authorities, civil society organisations and NGOs, as well as people of good will around the
world.
GSN general information
GSN Global Coordinator – Iona Rossely ( iona.rossely@gmail.com )
Vatican website: http://www.endslavery.va/content/endslavery/en.html
More information on Goal 8: http://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/economic-growth/
GSN website – under construction