Global Justice Leicester and Leicestershire

Speaker meeting

Take back our world – another world is possible

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Take back our world! was the launch event of Global Justice Now, the new name for WDM in 2015.

What a fantastic day. Featuring international speakers, films, workshops, music, an exhibition of Mexican street art … and the opportunity to share a passion for justice with likeminded people.

Mexican street art

Street art by Rosario Martinez Llaguno and Roberto Vega Jimenez, members of the Mexican art collective Lapiztola Stencil, based in Oaxaca. Commisioned by Global Justice Now for a free exhibition that coincided with the Launch of Global Justice Now

Why not join us in 2015 and become part of a global movement to challenge the powerful and create a more just and equal world.

Campaigning in the Summer …

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Resisting the new Scramble in Africa – a speaker meeting and stalls out and about …

Speaker from Shepherd Food Ministries in Nigeria

On 1st July, Dr Ola Ogunyemi spoke about the work of Shepherd Food Ministries in Nigeria.  Ola spoke at first hand about support poor farmers in their struggle to remain independent in an increasingly globalised world. If farmers are to keep hold of their land, they need up-to-date advice and an infrastructure that helps them to make a profit from their produce. There is a big gap between the support network of the farmers who grow the majority of the world’s food, and the money and help available for large multinational seed companies.

Christine Haigh talking about Scramble for Africa

Christine Haigh of WDM spoke about the Scramble for Africa, and the need to support small farmers in Africa with our Government Aid, rather than the large multinational companies.

We also had a stall at the Leicester University Botanical Garden. Scramble for Africa took on a new meaning among the plants and specialist plant growers.

Speaker meeting in Leicester on Tue 1st July

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Resisting the new Scramble for Africa: working collaboratively with farmers in Nigeria.

on Tuesday 1st July

at Christchurch, Clarendon Park Rd, Leicester, LE2 3AH

from 7-9pm

Speakers

Dr Ola Ogunyemi

(Principal Lecturer in Journalism, University of Lincoln, President of Shepherd Food Ministeries)

and

Christine Haigh

(Food Policy officer, World Development Movement)

Please come along and join the discussion about supporting small farmers in Africa.

This meeting has been arranged by Leicester WDM and Christians Aware

Speaker meeting – The new scramble for Africa

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Resisting the new Scramble for Africa: working collaboratively with farmers in Nigeria

Farmer on tractor in Nigeria

Tuesday 1st July

at Christchurch, Clarendon Park Road, Leicester, LE2 3AH – 7-9pm

Speakers

Dr Ola Ogunyemi

(Principal Lecturer in Journalism, University of Lincoln, President of Shepherd Food Ministries)

and

Christine Haigh

(Food Policy Officer, World Development Movement)

Please join us to learn more about the important role that small farmers play in feeding Africa.

This meeting has been arranged by Leicester WDM and Christians Aware.

 

East Midlands Teach-in

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When: Saturday 24th May, 10.30am – 3pm

Where: Friends Meeting House, 16 Queens Rd, Leicester, LE2 1WP

Monsanto, Unilever, Nestle ... names on a hat

The day will include:

  • A workshop on WDM’s new campaign to stop the corporate takeover of African food
  • The chance to meet WDM’s new director, Nick Dearden
  • News on WDM’s relaunch
  • Skillsharing and action planning

Meet other WDM group members, share experiences, and come up with ideas and solutions for effective local campaigning.

This event is open to non-WDM members in the afternoon, please join us from 1pm to chat to WDM’s director over lunch and hear about our new food campaign.

Please contact Mary Steiner on mary.steiner@btopenworld.com or 0115 922 6702 to let us know you’re coming.

Water, water …

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On 29th October, Leicester WDM and Christians Aware jointly hosted an evening on the theme of “Water, water”.

WaterTalkGhana3

 

Alhassan Adam of Oxfam spoke about countering water privatisation in Ghana. Ghana was required to charge everyone for access to water and implement water privatisation as a condition of receiving a structural adjustment loan from the World Bank. In response to this, the National Coalition Against Water Privatisation was formed. The coalition gained impact by working with related networks in Africa and worldwide to keep the needs of water consumers on the agenda. While privatising water there were many problems, including alleged corruption and utility companies working in the short term to make quick money, without a long term commitment.

Everyone needs water to live, but privatisation has meant that some people cannot afford to buy clean water. They end up travelling distances to find sources, which are often polluted. Rural communities are not good candidates for water privatisation as they are not profitable and they often depend on water projects funded by non-governmental organisations.

Mansoor Ali, Practical Action

Mansoor Ali of Practical Action spoke about ‘Small schemes for the better use of water’. Practical Action specialises in providing technological solutions for development problems. In a heavily urbanised world, Mansoor talked of the need to find creative solutions in difficult urban environments. Practical Action now increasingly has to facilitate dialogue so that the needs of vulnerable people are taken into account when developing community services.  Mansoor’s presentation led to a lively discussion about how to make a real difference to the lives of people who lack the basic necessities of life.

We greatly appreciated both presentations. There was an encouraging message that by working together we can make a real difference in the lives of some of the world’s poorest people.