Global Justice Now has uncovered evidence to show that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s activities are directly benefitting big business.
With assets of $43.5 billion the foundation is the largest charitable foundation in the world. It is arguably the most influential player on issues of global health and agriculture, and distributes more aid for global health than any government.
The trend to involve business in addressing the world’s problems is increasingly part of international development aid. The UK government is a keen advocate and has been strongly criticised by the Independent Commission for Aid Impact for pursuing this model without ensuring that partnerships with business actually make a difference to poverty and inequality.
Take Action.
Follow the link: http://action.globaljustice.org.uk/ea-action/
or you could adapt this letter and post Shephen Twigg MP at the House of Commons: Dear Rt Hon Stephen Twigg MP
With assets of $43.5 billion, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is the largest charitable foundation in the world. It is arguably the most influential actor on issues of global health and agriculture, and distributes more aid for global health than any government.
This influence has earned the foundation a place in the regular reporting of aid to the global south, as compiled by the OECD. But this has not been matched with the corresponding accountability and scrutiny to the public that we have in aid programmes run by governments. At present, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is obliged to only report its high level financial figures to the US government and its programmes are not subject to independent or public evaluation.
Global Justice Now’s recent report Gated Development highlights serious concerns about the foundation’s close relationship with corporations and its promotion of private sector solutions to poverty and inequality, despite evidence to suggest these are not effective.
Although business is playing an ever greater role in international development, in a recent review of the relationship between business and the UK’s Department for International Development, the Independent Commission for Aid Impact is highly critical of how this is failing to benefit people living in poverty.
I ask that the UK’s International Development Select Committee conducts an inquiry into the Department for International Development’s relationship with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to assess the impact and effectiveness of any joint activity in addressing poverty and inequality.
Yours sincerely,
Email the chair of the International Development Select Committee, Stephen Twigg MP, asking the committee to investigate the relationship between DfID and the Gates Foundation.
