The Jubilee 2000 campaign which started in Britain in 1996 aimed to get the burden of debt on the world's poorest countries lifted by the Millennium. The debt was acquired long ago and crippling interest is being paid by people who saw no benefit. By the time the campaign wound up in December 2000, there was general agreement by the US and British governments and some others that debt relief should be given but conditionally: funds released should not be squandered but benefit the poor, in health, education, and poverty reduction generally. The Jubilee 2000 Coalition in the UK was succeeded by The Jubilee Debt Campaign (UK), founded in March. Some of the Jubilee 2000 staff, including Ann Pettifor, went into Jubilee Plus a research body; others went into Drop the Debt, which aimed to demonstrate at the G8 Summit in Genoa, in July 2001, hopefully to persuade the IMF/World Bank to follow the example of national governments and cancel the debt of the poorest countries, 100%, forthwith, instead of making up yet more complex rules, and generally prevaricating.
In April 2001 the Chester Jubilee campaign followed the national example, changing its name, as above, and formally reconstituting itself, with a ten-strong elected committee (for the launch on 19th April. At a subsequent committee meeting, four officers were elected, including: Executive Secretary - Peter Linsey; and Chairman - Romy Tiongco.
Peter Linsey remained the main contact.Past events included the open meeting at St Mary's Centre, September 2002, where the key speakers were our guest from Uganda, Charlotte Mwesigye, and our MP, Christine Russell. See an abstract of Charlotte's paper.
A very successful campaign was associated withthe launch of the New Year 2002 poster campaign at the Eastgate Clock, itself commemorating a Jubilee, that of Queen Victoria. A postcard commemorating this action went on sale, itself becoming a valuable tool in the struggle.
Events in 2001 included the Bangladeshi dinner in October, concerned with those countries not even listed as heavily indebted, and showing solidarity with a mainly Islamic community in the backwash of September 11th.
We had already connected with the Bangladeshi community, for instance in the Lord Mayor's parade, in June. One of the features of the Lord Mayor's parade, June 16th 2001 was a Bangladeshi rickshaw.
Also, the new banner, designed for Genoa, was paraded for the first time, already packed with signatures. This was put to good use in July. ie. the lobby of the G8 in Genoa, July 20-22, 2001.
Earlier material such as the Cologne action is being archived, and may be made accessible in due course.
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