Global Debt Week: 12-19 October 2008
From 12-19 October 2008 anti-poverty campaigners around the world are taking part in the second annual Week of Global Action against Debt and the International Financial Institutions.The week of action is jointly called by Jubilee campaigns in more than 50 countries around the world, and forms part of the 50 Global Days of Action against Poverty and Inequality taking place in 100 countries in September and October.
Here are three ways to get involved in the UK:
1) END POVERTY NOW FORUM
Jubilee Debt Campaign, in partnership with the other UK economic justice campaigning networks, is hosting a campaigners forum on Saturday 11 October in London. The forum is a chance to:
- Get the latest updates on debt, aid, trade, AIDS and climate change campaigning
- Make the links between these issues and the current global credit, food and energy crises
- Learn useful skills to help you take action locally
- Discuss the future of the anti-poverty movement in the UK and around the world
The forum is taking place from 10.30am to 5.30pm at Dragon Hall in Covent Garden, London. To register for the event email your details to events@jubileedebtcampaign.org.uk or just turn up on the day.
2) PICK UP THE PACE CAMPAIGN
Our current campaign calls on the UK Government to get moving and cancel more debts for more countries. Debt Week is a key opportunity to raise awareness about this campaign ahead of a crucial UN meeting in November about how to fund international development.
>> TAKE ACTION: CALL FOR A NEW WAY OF DEALING WITH DEBT
The Pick Up the Pace campaign is a great way to introduce the debt campaign to people in your local area, school, place of worship etc. You could run a stall, organise a coffee morning, or host a film screening where you distribute postcards. You could write to, or even visit, your MP to tell them about the campaign and get them to write to the International Development minister. If you do one thing in Debt Week, order some postcards and get them signed. Other resources available include:
- Pick Up the Pace MP Lobby pack
- Template letter to your MP
3) STAND UP AND TAKE ACTION
'Stand Up and Take Action' is a mass action in which millions worldwide take a stand against poverty. Last year, 43.7 million people in 127 countries took a stand. This year, don't just stand, take action as well. Make sure politicians and decision makers hear our call that they act on our demands.
Stand Up and Take Action Against Poverty and Inequality will take place over 3 days, Friday October 17 to Sunday October 19. The "counting" period will be at any time over those 3 days. Register your event and upload numbers directly to the Stand Up and Take Action website.
For more information download the UK toolkit from the BOND website or email Tim Gee, BOND Campaigns Communications Officer, on tgee@bond.org.uk.
ABOUT THE WEEK
For all the information about the week in the UK as we have it, check back on these pages regularly.
Information and updates about events from around the world will be posted on the global debt week website at www.debtweek.org.
