An end to business as usual?

Dear campaigner,

In recent months the economic crisis has shaken the very foundations of our financial system. It's undermined the old certainties, and made the impossible seem possible. Even Gordon Brown, who has presided over the economy for much of the last decade, has said "This is not a time for business as usual".

But we now stand at a critical juncture. World leaders are not going to commit to radical change without massive popular pressure. That's why Jubilee Debt Campaign is helping bring together an unprecedented alliance of trade unions, NGOs, grassroots groups and community organisations to mobilise public opinion ahead of the G20 meeting of world leaders in London on 2 April next year.

We're organising a national activist forum on 28 February to discuss the big questions around the financial crisis, planning a series of regional forums around the country, and above all we'll be joining a massive mobilisation in London on the eve of the G20 summit.

If you haven't yet signed our financial crisis petition to Gordon Brown, click here to sign it now. The petition is the first of a series of actions we'll be taking in 2009 to make sure that this really is the end of business as usual

We wish you a happy and restful Christmas period, and look forward to an exciting 2009.

Best wishes,
Jubilee Debt Campaign

Disappointment in Doha

The international conference on Finance for Development in Doha ended in disappointment earlier this month, as countries failed to identify fairer ways to pay to tackle global poverty.

Following last-minute campaigning from Jubilee Debt Campaign and others, the UK government was less obstructive than feared, but it failed to champion the new way of dealing with debt that is urgently needed. Read our full response

Six Billion Ways Activist Forum

Ahead of the G20 summit, Jubilee Debt Campaign together with Friends of the Earth, People and Planet, War on Want, World Development Movement and others are holding an activist forum to discuss the key issues around the financial crisis. It's in London on Saturday 28 February 2009 - see www.sixbillionways.org.uk for initial details, put the date in your diary, and check back regularly for further updates.

Ecuador defaults on illegitimate debts

Last week Ecuador's President Rafael Correa announced his decision not to pay back his country's illegitimate debts. Faced with a domestic movement calling for the debts to be repudiated, and no fair international forum to negotiate over disputed debts, campaigners argue that Correa was faced with little choice. The reaction of the financial markets, as expected, was hostile. Read more

Vulture funds meeting

Our campaign to clean up global finance is coming to Westminster on Tuesday 27 January 2009 for a parliamentary meeting to look at progress on tackling vulture funds. Last year we exposed how unscrupulous private investors are buying up cheap poor country debts and then suing for massive profits. The Government now claims to be doing everything it can to address the problem - we’ll discuss what more it could do. More info

World Bank admits error but Haiti still waiting

The World Bank has responded to our claims that President Robert Zoellick misled Haitians about debt relief on a recent visit to the storm-struck island, saying it had taken measures to 'correct inaccurate statements' reported in the press.

But the Bank refused to undo the six-month delay it has made to Haiti's debt cancellation, despite the country facing massive poverty and its worst natural disaster for a hundred years. Read more

Contact details

Jubilee Debt Campaign
The Grayston Centre
28 Charles Square
London
N1 6HT
United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0)20 7324 4722
Fax: +44 (0)20 7324 4723

Email - for general enquiries and materials requests:
info@jubileedebtcampaign.org.uk

Web - http://www.jubileedebtcampaign.org.uk/