The global financial crisis may increase social conflict, says the head of the International Labour Office, claiming that civil society groups have an important role in helping those affected to be heard.

The current financial crisis could signal the end of over-dependence on a selfish kind of capitalism, the spiritual head of the Catholic church in England and Wales has said in a newspaper interview.

Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu has told the General Synod of the Church of England that the real significance of the world financial crisis and economic downturn is its impact on the poor and vulnerable.

A church-backed microfinance institution has increased its field investments by one third, reaching out to poor people often excluded by the commercial banking sector in spite of the global economic downturn.

Christian leaders and thinkers came together at Methodist Church House in London this week to talk about how the Churches could make a positive contribution to tackling the economic crisis.

Debt isn't just a political and economic issue, it's a human tragedy, says Giles Fraser. And it raises the most profound spiritual, ethical and pastoral questions for us all.

The Bank of England reports that members of the public now owe £1.457 trillion, £1.219 trillion of which is secured on dwellings, the value of which con­tinues to diminish, says Giles Fraser. So is more shopping the answer?

As world leaders and finance ministers meet this weekend to discuss funding for poorer countries, two leading development agencies are calling for major reforms of the global financial system.

As the scale of the global credit, climate and oil shocks becomes clearer, support for a radical 'Green New Deal' is growing, political economist Ann Pettifor and analyst Andrew Simms told a meeting in parliament last night.