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Letters |
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The MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY campaign has been a great success but we must keep up the pressure to deliver. Please write to Tony Blair or Peter Mandelson or lobby your MP or MEP. Below are some ideas for letters which you could personalise. You can cut and paste from this web page or click to download a WORD file. Peter Mandelson Trade WORD file Peter Mandelson Short WORD file Peter Mandelson Dumping WORD file Peter Mandelson Liberalisation WORD file
Prime
Minister Tony Blair
10 Downing Street Dear Mr Blair, I am writing to you following the G8 summit.
As you are aware MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY has become an
unprecedented movement of passion, energy and solidarity. However we are
greatly disappointed that the G8 have chosen not to do all that campaigners
insist is needed. Important steps have been taken and I would like to thank you
for your hard work despite resistance more widely within the G8.
But more action is urgently needed if the G8 is to use its power to bring
about real change for the world's poorest people. While overall this aid increase is a step forward, it is far
from the historic deal that millions around the world have been demanding.
This aid will still arrive five years too late and falls far short of the
scale of aid that is needed to end poverty in the world's poorest countries.
By 2010, we will still see the awful inequity whereby a child dies every
3.5 seconds, just because they are poor.
Without further changes in aid quantity and
policy, the world will not see an end to poverty. What we have asked for is action not words.
The governments of the G8 must now urgently take action together in all
aid negotiations, including at the IMF and World Bank, to bring about more and
better aid. I urge the G8, and the
UK as part of it, to go a lot further by taking the next upcoming opportunities
and working with other world leaders at the UN summit on the Millennium
Development Goals. The people of the world are already on the road to justice.
They expect their leaders to be with them. I am sad to say that the G8
communiqué has shown that they need to run much faster to catch up.
I look forward to your response. Yours sincerely, Prime Minister Tony Blair 10
Downing Street Dear Mr Blair, I am
writing to you following the G8 summit. As
you are aware MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY has become an unprecedented
movement of passion, energy and solidarity. However we are greatly
disappointed that the G8 have chosen not to do all that campaigners insist is
needed. Important steps have been
taken and I would like to thank you for your hard work despite resistance more
widely within the G8. But more
action is urgently needed if the G8 is to use its power to bring about real
change for the world's poorest people. I
welcome the fact that some countries' debts to some multilateral institutions
have been cancelled in full for the first time as has long been called for.
I also welcome the inclusion of IMF debts in the deal which have been
excluded for too long, and the positive language on measures to ensure that
money stolen by corrupt former regimes is returned from banks in the North to
poor countries. However
in too many areas on debt policy, the G8
have offered warm words, but little action.
In
particular the proposal reinforces the
damaging and undemocratic conditions attached to debt relief, which include
forcing countries to privatise public utilities, liberalise trade, and cut
spending on social services. Further
many indebted countries are excluded from the countries that will benefit and
the deal still does not cover all debts. For
instance, debts to the Inter-American Development Bank, which are a huge burden
on poor countries in South America, are not included.
Finally the proposal will provide less than $1 billion per year
- the equivalent of less than one dollar per head per year for the people who
will benefit - when more than $10 billion a year of debt cancellation is needed
to contribute to the ending of extreme poverty. Also
I note with concern that despite these failings even this inadequate deal
appears to be under threat as it still needs to be endorsed at meetings of the
World Bank and IMF and recent leaked documents show that European representatives at the IMF including those from
Belgium, Switzerland, Holland and Norway are
suggesting major modifications to the deal. That this could delay or even halt
the debt cancellation promised and maintain an IMF stranglehold over developing
country economies even after they qualify for debt cancellation is fundamentally
unacceptable. Without
further action to drop the debt, the world will not see an end to poverty.
What we have asked for is action
not words. The governments of the
G8 must now urgently take action together in all debt negotiations, including at
the IMF and World Bank, to see that rich countries drop the debt by increasing
the quantity of debt cancelled in this deal, tackling the damaging conditions
still attached, and ensuring that the deal is ratified and then delivered.
I urge the G8, and the UK as part of it, to go a lot further and secure
real change by taking the next upcoming opportunities and working with other
world leaders at the UN summit on the Millennium Development Goals. The people of the world are
already on the road to justice. They expect their leaders to be with them.
I am sad to say that the G8 communiqué has shown that they need to run much
faster to catch up. I look forward to your
response. Yours
sincerely,
The Rt Hon Peter Mandelson PC EU Commissioner for Trade Berlaymont office 09/24 200 rue de la Loi Brussels B-1040 Dear Mr Mandelson, I am writing to you following the G8 summit. As you are aware MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY has become an unprecedented movement of passion, energy and solidarity. However we are greatly disappointed that the G8 have chosen not to do all that campaigners insist is needed. More action is urgently needed if rich nations are to use
their power to bring about real change for the world's poorest people.
I am saddened that the G8 and the EU have not listened to or met the
challenge of trade justice as clearly set out by MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY
The
Doha round was promised as a round to help developing countries, and the G8 have
promised to work to make the Hong Kong negotiations a success.
But empty promises are costing lives!
I urge you to be part of changing this and to do all you can to ensure
that the Doha round lives up to it name and promises and lifts millions out of
poverty. I am particularly concerned that in spite of the rhetoric of
protecting developing economies, and though there is language in the G8
communiqué on letting African countries set their own trade policies, at the
World Trade Organisation (WTO) rich nations continue to force open developing
country markets. Given the countless examples of liberalisation destroying
markets, especially in agriculture, so vulnerable to dumping, surely it is time
to give developing countries the freedom to set their own economic strategies
and to protect their vulnerable livelihoods? Please make sure that the EU doesn’t seek to impose
liberalisation but actively supports and defends poor countries rights to
protect their peoples. I am also extremely disappointed about the G8’s decision
not to set a date for ending the export subsidies that destroy the livelihoods
of poor countries around the world. None
of the G8 countries would accept anyone dumping their excess production into
their markets. Why should the
world’s poor bear the burden of export subsidies, and why does the WTO permit
this? I do not believe that there can be any morality or integrity
in international politics, whilst such injustices are permitted.
There is much speculation that export subsidies may well be finally
ended. But not until 2010 or even
later. How can export subsidies be
justified for a day longer when they cost such scandalous numbers of livelihoods
and lives? Please act to end the abomination of export subsidies, and
show your leadership and courage by challenging other power blocks to join you. I also deeply regret that the G8 and the EU have failed to call for effective regulation of multinational corporations operating in the world’s poorest countries. I therefore urge the EU to set an example to the other
countries and enact legislation and support international initiatives to ensure
that companies are held legally accountable for their social, environmental and
economic impacts at home and abroad. I
call specifically for new laws to make
reporting of the global social, human rights and environmental impact of
companies mandatory; to make directors of companies who do not take all the
necessary steps possible to limit the negative social and environmental impact
of their businesses accountable for the damage they cause; and to allow
communities to bring cases against companies in the home country, if justice
fails them in the country in which an abuse took place. By not regulating multinational companies, forcing free trade
on poor countries and dumping agricultural products the G8 have chosen not to
take the necessary decisions to make poverty history.
What we have asked for is action not words.
The governments of the G8 and the EU must now urgently take action
together in all trade negotiations, especially at the World Trade Organisation
but also through the World Bank and International Monetary Fund to bring about
trade justice, rather than being the obstacles to it as they are at present.
Specifically, please call for the end of export subsidies now,
unilaterally if necessary; support the proposals of the G20 developing countries
to meet their, priority, aspirations for the Doha round; enact legislation and
support international initiatives to ensure that companies are held legally
accountable for their social, environmental and economic impacts at home and
abroad; and champion the special provisions needed by developing countries to
protect their economies and the livelihoods of their peoples. The Everything but Arms agreement shows that the European
Commission can, when it is determined, demonstrate that it knows what is right
and just and show world leadership. The
Commission must maintain its leadership. I
urge you to stand firm and insist that the Doha round is concluded quickly, with
development as a priority, to bring an end to the tragic loss of so many lives
because of unjust trade practices and policies.
A pro-poor agreement must be delivered! The people of the world are already on the road to justice. They expect their leaders to be with them. I am sad to say that the G8 communiqué, and too much EU policy, has shown that they need to run much faster to catch up. I look forward to your response. Yours sincerely, The Rt Hon Peter Mandelson PC EU Commissioner for Trade Berlaymont office 09/24 200 rue de la Loi Brussels B-1040 Dear Mr Mandelson, I am writing to you following the G8 summit. As you are aware MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY has become an unprecedented movement of passion, energy and solidarity. However we are greatly disappointed that the G8 have chosen not to do all that campaigners insist is needed. More action is urgently needed if rich nations are to use
their power to bring about real change for the world's poorest people.
I am saddened that the G8 and the EU have not listened to or met the
challenge of trade justice as clearly set out by MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY
The
Doha round was promised as a round to help developing countries, and the G8 have
promised to work to make the Hong Kong negotiations a success.
But empty promises are costing lives!
I urge you to be part of changing this and to do all you can to ensure
that the Doha round lives up to it name and promises and lifts millions out of
poverty. I am particularly concerned that in spite of the rhetoric of
protecting developing economies, and though there is language in the G8
communiqué on letting African countries set their own trade policies, at the
World Trade Organisation (WTO) rich nations continue to force open developing
country markets. Given the countless examples of liberalisation destroying
markets, especially in agriculture, so vulnerable to dumping, surely it is time
to give developing countries the freedom to set their own economic strategies
and to protect their vulnerable livelihoods? Please make sure that the EU doesn’t seek to impose
liberalisation but actively supports and defends poor countries rights to
protect their peoples. Also the G8’s decision not to set a date for ending the export subsidies that destroy the livelihoods of poor countries around the world is extremely disappointing. Further the failure to champion legislation to regulate the social and environmental impact of multinational corporations is another area of critical failure. By not regulating multinational companies, forcing free trade
on poor countries and dumping agricultural products the G8 have chosen not to
take the necessary decisions to make poverty history.
What we have asked for is action not words.
The governments of the G8 and the EU must now urgently take action
together in all trade negotiations, especially at the World Trade Organisation
but also through the World Bank and International Monetary Fund to bring about
trade justice, rather than being the obstacles to it as they are at present.
Specifically, please call for the end of export subsidies now,
unilaterally if necessary; support the proposals of the G20 developing countries
to meet their, priority, aspirations for the Doha round; enact legislation and
support international initiatives to ensure that companies are held legally
accountable for their social, environmental and economic impacts at home and
abroad; and champion the special provisions needed by developing countries to
protect their economies and the livelihoods of their peoples. The Everything but Arms agreement shows that the European
Commission can, when it is determined, demonstrate that it knows what is right
and just and show world leadership. The
Commission must maintain its leadership. I
urge you to stand firm and insist that the Doha round is concluded quickly, with
development as a priority, to bring an end to the tragic loss of so many lives
because of unjust trade practices and policies.
A pro-poor agreement must be delivered! The people of the world are already on the road to justice. They expect their leaders to be with them. I am sad to say that the G8 communiqué, and too much EU policy, has shown that they need to run much faster to catch up. I look forward to your response. Yours sincerely, The Rt Hon Peter Mandelson PC EU Commissioner for Trade Berlaymont office 09/24 200 rue de la Loi Brussels B-1040 Dear Mr Mandelson, I am writing to you following the G8 summit. As you are aware MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY has become an unprecedented movement of passion, energy and solidarity. However we are greatly disappointed that the G8 have chosen not to do all that campaigners insist is needed. More action is urgently needed if rich nations are to use
their power to bring about real change for the world's poorest people.
I am saddened that the G8 and the EU have not listened to or met the
challenge of trade justice as clearly set out by MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY
I am particularly disappointed about the G8’s decision not
to set a date for ending the export subsidies that destroy the livelihoods of
poor countries around the world. None
of the G8 countries would accept anyone dumping their excess production into
their markets. Why should the
world’s poor bear the burden of export subsidies, and why does the WTO permit
this? I do not believe that there can be any morality or integrity
in international politics, whilst such injustices are permitted.
There is much speculation that export subsidies may well be finally
ended. But not until 2010 or even
later. How can export subsidies be
justified for a day longer when they cost such scandalous numbers of livelihoods
and lives? Please act to end the abomination of export subsidies, and
show your leadership and courage by challenging other power blocks to join you. Also, though there is language in the communiqué on letting African countries set their own trade policies, at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) rich nations continue to force open developing country markets. Further the failure to champion legislation to regulate the social and environmental impact of multinational corporations is another area of critical failure. By not regulating multinational companies, forcing free trade
on poor countries and dumping agricultural products the G8 have chosen not to
take the necessary decisions to make poverty history.
What we have asked for is action not words.
The governments of the G8 and the EU must now urgently take action
together in all trade negotiations, especially at the World Trade Organisation
but also through the World Bank and International Monetary Fund to bring about
trade justice, rather than being the obstacles to it as they are at present.
Specifically, please call for the end of export subsidies now,
unilaterally if necessary; support the proposals of the G20 developing countries
to meet their, priority, aspirations for the Doha round; enact legislation and
support international initiatives to ensure that companies are held legally
accountable for their social, environmental and economic impacts at home and
abroad; and champion the special provisions needed by developing countries to
protect their economies and the livelihoods of their peoples. The Everything but Arms agreement shows that the European
Commission can, when it is determined, demonstrate that it knows what is right
and just and show world leadership. The
Commission must maintain its leadership. I
urge you to stand firm and insist that the Doha round is concluded quickly, with
development as a priority, to bring an end to the tragic loss of so many lives
because of unjust trade practices and policies.
A pro-poor agreement must be delivered! The people of the world are already on the road to justice. They expect their leaders to be with them. I am sad to say that the G8 communiqué, and too much EU policy, has shown that they need to run much faster to catch up. I look forward to your response. Yours sincerely,
The Rt Hon Peter Mandelson PC EU Commissioner for Trade Berlaymont office 09/24 200 rue de la Loi Brussels B-1040 Dear Mr Mandelson, I am writing to you following the G8 summit. As you are aware MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY has become an unprecedented movement of passion, energy and solidarity. However we are greatly disappointed that the G8 have chosen not to do all that campaigners insist is needed. More action is urgently needed if rich nations are to use
their power to bring about real change for the world's poorest people.
I am saddened that the G8 and the EU have not listened to or met the
challenge of trade justice as clearly set out by MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY
The
Doha round was promised as a round to help developing countries, and the G8 have
promised to work to make the Hong Kong negotiations a success.
But empty promises are costing lives!
I urge you to be part of changing this and to do all you can to ensure
that the Doha round lives up to it name and promises and lifts millions out of
poverty. I am particularly concerned that in spite of the rhetoric of
protecting developing economies, and though there is language in the G8
communiqué on letting African countries set their own trade policies, at the
World Trade Organisation (WTO) rich nations continue to force open developing
country markets. Given the countless examples of liberalisation destroying
markets, especially in agriculture, so vulnerable to dumping, surely it is time
to give developing countries the freedom to set their own economic strategies
and to protect their vulnerable livelihoods? Please make sure that the EU doesn’t seek to impose
liberalisation but actively supports and defends poor countries rights to
protect their peoples. Also the G8’s decision not to set a date for ending the export subsidies that destroy the livelihoods of poor countries around the world is extremely disappointing. Further the failure to champion legislation to regulate the social and environmental impact of multinational corporations is another area of critical failure. By not regulating multinational companies, forcing free trade
on poor countries and dumping agricultural products the G8 have chosen not to
take the necessary decisions to make poverty history.
What we have asked for is action not words.
The governments of the G8 and the EU must now urgently take action
together in all trade negotiations, especially at the World Trade Organisation
but also through the World Bank and International Monetary Fund to bring about
trade justice, rather than being the obstacles to it as they are at present.
Specifically, please call for the end of export subsidies now,
unilaterally if necessary; support the proposals of the G20 developing countries
to meet their, priority, aspirations for the Doha round; enact legislation and
support international initiatives to ensure that companies are held legally
accountable for their social, environmental and economic impacts at home and
abroad; and champion the special provisions needed by developing countries to
protect their economies and the livelihoods of their peoples. The Everything but Arms agreement shows that the European
Commission can, when it is determined, demonstrate that it knows what is right
and just and show world leadership. The
Commission must maintain its leadership. I
urge you to stand firm and insist that the Doha round is concluded quickly, with
development as a priority, to bring an end to the tragic loss of so many lives
because of unjust trade practices and policies.
A pro-poor agreement must be delivered! The people of the world are already on the road to justice. They expect their leaders to be with them. I am sad to say that the G8 communiqué, and too much EU policy, has shown that they need to run much faster to catch up. I look forward to your response. Yours sincerely,
updated 07 April 2006 |