The New Abolitionism: Symposium on Money Mechanics & A Moral Economy
The first half of the conference will focus on “The Mechanics of Modern Money,” and will include the following panelists: Michael Grant (President of the National Bankers Association), Darius L. Davis (Managing Member of Camelus Group), Art Lindo (Senior Associate Director for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), and Congressman Alan Grayson (D – Florida, Financial Services Committee, HOR). Panelists will explain what money is in our economy, what institutions control the creation of money, how money is created by private commercials banks, and who benefits economically from this system. Monetary policy and the mechanics of money creation and issuance in the United States is a complicated process, and there are deep misunderstandings and misperceptions about what money is, how it is created, and how the money creation process directly impacts every citizen in the United States. This panel seeks to mainstream the knowledge and establish a set of shared assumptions about the mechanisms of money creation.
The second half of the day will discuss moving “Towards a Theology of Economics.” We will convene an interfaith panel of religious scholars from Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. Panelists will include: Imam Mohamed Magid (Executive Director of the All Dulles Area Muslim Society), Dr. David Cloutier (Associate Professor of Theology, The Catholic University of America), and Miles Roger (Assistant Director of Religious Education, Washington Hebrew Congregation). This panel will discuss the historic and contemporary position of money and debt in these major world religions. In the past, these religions had a lot to say about economics and money policy. These panelists will help attendees understand the ethics of economics and monetary policy. Following this panel will be a Debriefing & Strategy session from 3:30 – 4:30pm to reflect on the day, and to propose next steps for furthering the conversation about monetary reform.
Panel 1: 9:30am – 12pm
Lunch: 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Panel 2: 1:30pm – 3:30pm
Debriefing and Strategy Session: 3:30pm – 4:30pm
The co-conveners for this conference include: Washington National Cathedral, National Bankers Association, The Next System Project, The Black Church Center for Justice and Equality, The Conference of National Black Churches, The Progressive National Baptist Convention, and The Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International.
