Tuesday 14th July 2009, 7:30pm
Oxford WDM group monthly meeting. At: Oxford Town Hall, St Aldates, Oxford OX1. You don't need to be a member to join us!
26th August - 2nd September 2009
Climate Camp 2009. The 4th annual week-long camp dedicated to sustainable living, education, movement building and direct action against the root causes of climate change. See Climate Camp website for further info.
Saturday 5th December 2009 (London)
Stop Climate Chaos march. At the UN climate summit in Copenhagen this December world leaders will decide how to tackle global warming. They must deliver a fair international deal that keeps global warming under 2 degrees C and protects the poorest and most vulnerable people. See Stop Climate Chaos website for further info.
Local Euro MPs back trade justice campaign
L-R: Philip Vander Elst (UKIP), Caroline Lucas (Greens), John Madeley (chair),Sharon Bowles (Liberal Democrats), Janet Keene (Labour)
Two of the South East’s Euro MPs have this week backed campaigners' calls for Europe to change its policy on trade deals that are bad for developing countries and the environment.
Two of the MEPs for our area, the Greens’ Caroline Lucas the Lib-Dems’ Sharon Bowles have signed a pledge brought to them by Oxford World Development Movement (WDM). The WDM is campaigning with the Trade Justice Movement to stop the EU pushing unfair trade deals with poor countries that will exploit poor people and the environment.
The Green Party’s Caroline Lucas said:
"I have signed the pledge to stop Europe's unfair trade deals because I believe that Europe should prioritise development, environmental sustainability and human rights in poor countries. If I'm elected I will do everything I can to make sure this happens."
Caroline Lucas (Greens) signing the trade pledgeCampaigners claim new EU trade deals will stop developing countries from being able to protect local food production and key natural resources like forests from the worst excesses of the market. And the deals could lead to more dumping of European products on developing countries – putting farmers and home grown industries out of business. The Trade Justice Movement is calling on the European Commission to review Europe’s trade strategy and place the interests of the world’s poorest countries ahead of profits for Europe’s biggest companies.
Sharon Bowles, Liberal Democrats, presenting her signed trade pledgeJulieanne Porter from Oxford WDM said:
"It's very encouraging that these two MEPs have pledged to support our campaign to put an end to unfair trade deals. Europe is trying to negotiate trade deals that will hurt people and the environment in developing countries. It's vital that this is stopped and that the needs of the poorest people are put first."
ENDS
Contact: Oxford WDM Press Officer, Jenny Nicholson
07766 676371
jenny.nicholson@live.co.uk
Notes to editors:
1. Photographs follow in separate email
2. To find out more about the campaign to stop the EU's unfair trade deals, and see the pledge, go to www.tjm.org.uk
3. The World Development Movement (WDM) tackles the underlying causes of poverty. We lobby decision makers to change the policies that keep people poor. We research and promote positive alternatives. We work alongside people in the developing world who are standing up to injustice.
See: www.wdm.org.uk or the Oxford Group on: http://oxfordwdm.blogspot.com/.
4. Candidates present: Caroline Lucas (Greens), Sharon Bowles (Liberal Democrats), Janet Keene (Labour), Philip Vander Elst (UKIP)
Be a trade hero!
The European Union is currently pushing unfair trade deals on developing countries. Negotiated behind closed doors by unelected officials, these free trade deals will push millions of people further into poverty in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Join our call for fair, sustainable trade deals that help people work their way out of poverty, and that don't damage the environment. Join with us to demand that the EU trade policy is open, democratic and accountable.
Email the EU Trade Commissioner Baroness Ashton and ask her to be a trade hero and stand up for the rights of the poor.
Join our call for fair, sustainable trade deals that help people work their way out of poverty, and that don't damage the environment. Join with us to demand that the EU trade policy is open, democratic and accountable.
Email the EU Trade Commissioner Baroness Ashton and ask her to be a trade hero and stand up for the rights of the poor.
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