Quotes About Debt and Debt Relief

Let us, above all, be clear that, without a convincing programme of debt relief to start the new millennium, our objective of halving world poverty by 2015 will be only a pipe dream.
- UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, 2000

The very things that can help raise women's status - education, healthcare and employment - are being decimated as governments struggle to meet crippling debt repayments to the creditors.
- Barbara Kalima, African Network on Debt and Development

It will be public opinion and public outrage that will bring about change to cancel the debt.
- Kenneth Kaunda, former President of Zambia

Should we really starve our children to pay our debts?
- Julius Nyerere, former President of Tanzania

I encourage you in your advocacy for total debt cancellation for poor countries because, frankly, it is a scandal that we are forced to choose between basic health and education for our people and repaying historical debt.
- President Mkapa of Tanzania, 2005

And we the housewives ask ourselves:
What have we done to incur this foreign debt? Is it possible that our children have eaten too much? Is it possible that they have studied at the best colleges? Have our wages become too great? Together we say: NO, NO; we have not eaten too much. NO, we have not dressed any better. We do not have better medical assistance. Then to whom have the benefits gone? Why are we the ones who have to pay this debt?
- Dominga de Valasques, Bolivia

If the debtor is in a difficulty, grant him time till it is easy for him to repay. But if ye remit it by way of charity, that is best for you if ye only knew.
- Qur'an: 2.280