Blog

Thursday 29th May, 7pm-9pm

Can Sheffield take a leading role? A discussion led by Suzanne Jeffrey from the Campaign Against Climate Change. Suzanne is a key driver behind the One Million Climate Jobs and It’s Time to Act campaigns. More information about ‘Its Time to Act’ campaign on www.campaigncc.org/timetoact.

The alternative to climate chaos starts with building a movement from below. All progressive changes in society have been brought about through movements of people, creating a massive groundswell. Think of the civil rights movement in the States, the abolition of slavery and apartheid and the winning of rights for women. The Time to Act! Campaign sets out to build a base, aiming to bring the political pressure needed to commit Government and the European Commission to a carbon-free future. Go out and argue the climate case and build local climate alliances.

Venue: Quaker Meeting House, St. James’ Street, Sheffield, S1 2EW

 

Thurs. 3rd July, Campaigning meeting, 7pm-9pm

Our monthly meeting, including finalising plans for any other summer festival stalls, plus making plans for major Agribusiness campaign actions and events in the autumn.  Ideas from newcomers and non-regular members will be especially welcome!

Venue: Quaker Meeting House, St. James’ Street, Sheffield, S1 2EW.

 

Thursday 19th June, 6:30pm – 7pm

The groups AGM for 2014. This will take place prior to the public meeting “Do Corporations Rule the World? – what happened to democracy?”, at 7:15pm.

Venue: Quaker Meeting House, 10 St. James Street, Sheffield S1 2EW (nr Sheffield Cathedral)

Thursday 19th June, 7:15pm-9:00pm:  Do Corporations Rule the World?  –  what happened to democracy?

Guest speaker: Nick Dearden, Director of WDM, and former Director of Jubilee Debt Campaign

A feast of the practical alternatives being developed, by people and by governments around the world, to put people before profit. Discussion led by seasoned campaigner Nick Dearden.

This is a free event and open to all.

Venue: Quaker Meeting House, 10St. James Street, Sheffield S1 2EW (nr Sheffield Cathedral)

Do corporations rule 19Jun14

More information

How does ‘democracy’ actually work these days? It is sometimes said by the pessimists that “No matter who you vote for, you always get the government”. But do we nowadays even get the policies of ‘the government’, or in effect the policies of corporate business?
When was the last time that a ‘Western’ government – even Obama’s – acted in full on an election pledge of some serious action to make life better and fairer for people, but which would mean slightly less no-holds-barred profit-seeking by the major corporations? And when did small businesses last get the fair deal they are always promised as ‘the real wealth creators’?

Who do almost all political parties now rely upon for their campaign funds? And what sorts of career do very many retired senior politicians move into when they leave office – middle-ranking public service jobs, or lucrative directorships? Where do their interests lie?

We are constantly being urged to believe that “There is no alternative” to the profit-only ways of providing for all our needs – from privatised and therefore profit-driven public services at home, to expensive, privately-patented seeds and agricultural inputs as the only possible way to “feed the world”.

But, says our guest speaker Nick Dearden, “A picture is building which is finding alternatives to the market even when we’re told such solutions are unthinkable”.

“‘There is no alternative’ is an incredibly powerful concept. But the models being experimented with in some parts of Latin America go beyond anything we’ve seen in decades. It is THE challenge to corporate power even if it’s somewhat patchy and it’s not a straight line to a better world”.

As director of Jubilee Debt Campaign, Nick built strong relationships with campaigners in the global south, and he helped win a new law to stop Vulture Funds from using UK courts to squeeze huge debt payments out of poor countries.

 

 

Thursday 24th April, 7-9pm (Rotherham)

QUESTION TIME: Come and ask candidates for the EU elections how their party will bring ‘Justice for the World’s Poor’?

Venue: Talbot lane Conference Centre, Moorgate St (opposite Town Hall) Rotherham S60 2EY

Please bring 2 copies of your question about International Trade, Aid, Environment, Climate Change, or International Debt, so the chair can call you to read out your question.

The meeting will be chaired by Rev Alistair Sharp.

organised by: Rotherham World Development Movement Group
(For more information, contact Gill 01709 542571)

Saturday 13th September, 10am-6pm, Nottingham

A day of planning, skillsharing and discussion for anyone involved in WDM activism, however long you’ve been involved.

• Plenary on making a political impact with speakers including Lisa Nandy MP, shadow minister for civil society and chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on International Corporate Responsibility.
• Practical session on making the most of WDM’s 2015 relaunch.
• Campaign briefings
• Skillshare on campaign skills
• A chance to feed into our activism strategy for the coming years

More information and online registration will be available on this page in June. The event is free and there will be a travel subsidy available for those coming from relatively far away. For enquiries in the meantime, please email activism@wdm.org.uk.

WDM’s annual general meeting will take place between 11.45 and 1.45 as part of the conference, and will include a special resolution on changing our name.

Venue: Nottingham Friends Meeting House, NG1 5JD (25 Clarendon Street)