Delegations to Political Decision Makers

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Why send delegations to political leaders?

October 17th 2006 was a watershed for civil society with unprecedented coordinated action around the world. In 2007 it is vital that we build on this mobilisation and deliver a stronger, clearer and more coordinated message to political leaders demanding the change necessary to overcome poverty and suffering.

These visits will:

• Influence political leaders to take urgent action in order to end poverty and inequality.

• Present a political declaration with specific demands ahead of the Annual Meeting of the International Financial Institutions (IFIs)

• Secure media coverage and public support for October 17th, GCAP and your national coalition

Who will be targeted?

The Annual Meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (together know as the International Financial Institutions or IFIs) take place in Washington from the 17th – 23rd October. Every government will send a political representative to these meetings. This will most likely be the development minister (where such a post exists) or the finance minister.

Delegations will target this individual where appropriate. Otherwise delegations will target their Heads of State, or other senior political representatives. In some countries they will also visit politicians in key constituencies with a demand for them to take the message from civil society to the Head of State.

What will we be asking for?

Delegations all around the world will present their political leaders with a declaration of solidarity and will demand:

• Greater transparency and accountability from governments and International Financial Institutions

• Fairer trade conditions

• More and better aid to the poorest nations from donor governments

• Debt cancellation

• Gender equality

Who’s involved?

Countries all over the world will be sending delegations on, or just before, October 17th.  For updated information on what different countries have planned keep checking here, or alternatively visit their national web pages.

Contact

For further information on this project please contact your national coalition, or:
Ben Margolis, Campaigner - Oxfam GB
bmargolis@oxfam.org.uk
Tel: 0044 (0) 1865 473111
Mbl: 0044 (0) 7786 660 406