Put People First G20 counter-conference

A counter-conference to demand that the G20 take more radical action to tackle poverty in its response to the economic crisis and recession.
When Nov 07, 2009
from 10:11 AM to 05:11 PM
Where Central Hall Westminster, London SW1H 9NH
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In March, we marched in our tens of thousands to demand the G20 Put People First. Far from putting people first we’ve seen nothing but a tinkering around the margins followed by the return to business as usual.

On 7 November, as the G20 returns to the UK, the agenda on the table nurses an already failed economic model back to life, whilst looking to stitch up an unjust international climate deal outside the UN process.

They bailed out the banks to the tune of billions, and now the only choice offered is between what cuts are made to pay for it.

Government intervention to create a Green New Deal is slipping off the agenda, and yet strong alliances are forming - for example environmentalists and trade unionists have been standing side by side at Vestas to save the UK’s largest wind turbine factory.

  • In the run-up to Copenhagen, how do we get a global agreement on climate that truly puts climate justice at its heart?
  • How do we respond to the jobs crisis and growing poverty around the world?
  • How do we ensure the global green new deal the world needs?
  • How we do we show that cuts are not the only option, and demonstrate what Putting People First really look like?

This counter-conference will bring together academics, activists, campaigners, unions, policy makers and YOU to share ideas on what the alternatives are to cuts, cuts and more cuts, and how we must organise across our issues, of jobs, justice and climate, to make the alternative the reality.

Speakers include:

  • Tony Juniper, Princes Rainforests Projects
  • Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, former Danish prime minister and president of the Party of European Socialists
  • Jon Cruddas MP
  • Deborah Doane, director of World Development Movement
  • Billy Hayes, general secretary of CWU
  • Caroline Lucas MEP, leader of the Green Party
  • Diane Elson, University of Essex
  • Jesse Griffiths, Bretton Woods Project
  • Noel Hatch, Compass Youth
  • John Hilary, War on Want
  • Catherine Howarth, FairPensions
  • Neal Lawson, Compass
  • Larry Lohman, The Corner House
  • Sarah-Jayne Clifton, Friends of the Earth
  • Andrew Simms, new economics foundation
  • Glen Tarman, Bond
  • Hilary Wainwright, Red Pepper

Places are limited so registration is advised.

More information about this event…

Church Action On Poverty, Dale House, 35 Dale Street, Manchester M1 2HF.

Telephone 0161 236 9321 or email info@church-poverty.org.uk

Registered charity number 1079986. Company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales, number 3780243.

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