Speaker meeting

Saturday 4th June – A busy day for Global Justice Leicester

Riverside Festival is a highlight of the year for Global Justice Leicester.  We chatted to festival goers about the Global Justice Now campaign against the corporate control of food systems.

It gave the opportunity to explain about the dangers of glyphosphate, an ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup weed killer.  Spoof labels warned that the product is classified as ‘probably causing cancer’ and that Monsanto’s corporate control of agriculture ‘degrades farmers’ power’.

Read more about this campaign

Global Justice Now National Gathering in London

Global Justice Leicester was also represented at the National Gathering and AGM in London on Saturday.

We took part in workshops, discussed campaigns for the next year … and celebrated being part of a vibrant community that campaigns against the root causes of poverty.

In the afternoon, Diane Abbot spoke about what’s wrong with the government approach to aid. In a thoughtful and passionate speech, she highlighted the importance of using aid to ’empower those living in poverty’. To support people to bring about trans-formative social change for themselves.

Read about the EU parliament report that slams aid scheme that uses ‘big agribusiness’ to feed Africa. This exposes the reality of the New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition – an aid initiative that has received £600 million from DFID.

 

Fairtrade Fortnight has given us the opportunity to celebrate the difference that Fairtrade products can make for people’s lives. The theme for Fairtrade Fortnight this year was ‘Sit Down for Breakfast, Stand up for Farmers’,

On Saturday 5th March, Global Justice Leicester and the Knighton Justice Group had a joint stall on Uppingham Rd, Leicester. It was great to chat to passers-by. We are very grateful to the Co-op and Marks and Spencers who gave us examples of Fairtrade Products for the stall. We were able to give out samples for people to try.

Then, on Wednesday 9th March, Mohammed Hamada, an olive farmer, shared his experience of fair trade in Palestine.

This was a fantastic evening and Mohammed spoke movingly about the difference that selling Fairtrade Olive Oil had made to his family and farmers throughout Palestine. Read more about Mohammed’s story. You can buy his olive oil from Zaytoun.

 

Climate Change Lobby of Parliament on 17th June

Supporters of Global Justice Leicester lobbied all three Leicester MPs on 17th June. It was a day of celebration, discussion … and resolve to work together to keep the issue of Climate Change on the political agenda.

 

The Climate Coalition is made  up of more than 100 organisations

… all concerned #fortheloveof

… our world

… all people

… nature

… the environment

… What do you love and want to protect from Climate Change?

 

Working for Energy Democracy in Developing Countries and Britain

On April 14th an enthusiastic audience gathered at Christchurch to find out more about Energy Democracy.

 

 

Sam Lund-Harket from Global Justice Now, highlighted the way energy injustice is destroying people’s lives. He also spoke about rays of hope – good news stories about communities where alternative energy is generated to give clean and democratically controlled energy for everyone.

Clare Welton of Fuel Poverty Action Group – spoke movingly of people in poverty in the UK who struggle with utility bills. She explained the Energy Bill of Rights and work that is being done to ensure that individuals struggling with bills are aware of their rights. It is important that information is made available to empower people in poverty.

Fuel Poverty Action Group produces:

• Leaflet – Having Problems with your Energy Company – Know your rights
• Mini-guide –  In trouble with your Energy Company – Know your rights

 

What you can do:

• Find out more about moving towards a just energy system
• Let people who are struggling know that there are alternatives to being forced into an unfair situation with their energy companies.