JUBILEE DEBT CAMPAIGN BIRMINGHAM NEWS 32 Nov 2020
Dear Friends,
I hope this finds you well and ready to join us in looking at the challenges faced by the poorest on our planet.
Last month the G20 Finance Ministers announced a 6-month extension to their Debt Service Suspension Initiative which affects the poorest, heavily indebted countries greatly suffering from the coronavirus epidemic They also indicated that this month they would discuss a common framework for debt reduction and indicated this would require the participation of private lenders but only be available on a ‘case-by-case’ basis. They have not given any further details. These are positive steps but not nearly enough.
Reacting to the announcement of the 6-month extension Sarah-Jayne Clifton, Director of JDC, said: The extension of the limited debt suspension scheme does little to tackle the profound debt and health crises impacting many of the poorest people in the world. The G20’s failure to include private and multilateral lenders in the scheme shows a disregard for the scale of the global South debt crisis and will mean over $3 billion in debt payments continue to leave the poorest countries every month. It is scandalous that private lenders are still making large profits out of poor countries at this time. For further details please look at this video of Sarah. https://twitter.com/beyondcovid_/status/1318126707602345989
Reacting to the discussions over a future debt cancellation scheme Sarah added: “We welcome the G20 plans to discuss debt cancellation and private creditor participation at a special meeting in November. But this needs to be comprehensive, not case-by-case. Next month the G20 need to agree to cancel debt payments by the poorest countries to private, multilateral and bilateral lenders for four years. Doing so could save up to $180 billion to protect livelihoods and public services during the pandemic and support the recovery afterwards.” Further details are to be found on the Jubilee Debt Campaign website with the relevant links:
https://jubileedebt.org.uk/press-release/reaction-to-g20-debt-suspension-and-common-framework
https://jubileedebt.org.uk/briefing/under-the-radar-private-sector-debt-and-coronavirus-in-developing-countries
https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2020/10/16/world-bankimf-annual-meetings-2020-development-committee-communique
https://jubileedebt.org.uk/briefing/how-the-imf-can-unlock-multilateral-debt-cancellation
The Big Give
Meanwhile contributions to the work of Jubilee Debt Campaign are being sought in The Big Give. This begins at noon on Tuesday 1st December and finishes at noon on Tuesday 8th December. Money so given will be doubled by matched funding. Donations are to be made over the internet: https://www.jubileedebt.org.uk/biggive
Anyone who would like help in ensuring their donation is made over the internet is asked to contact Alison Geary on 0121 471 5280.
JDC Planning Committee
The next meeting will be at 10.30am on Tuesday 24th November by zoom. Any one not usually emailed about this is very welcome provided they let me know so I can send them a zoom link.
Climate and Debt: An even bigger challenge!
Compared with corona global warming is an even greater challenge. It is chiefly affecting the poorest; economic justice requires environmental action too. Hence information below about important environmental events this month together with a petition it is most important to sign.
Thank you so much for your partnership in campaigning. But if at any stage you want to take a break and unsubscribe please let me know.
All the best,
John Nightingale, Chair JDC Birmingham
07811 128831 [email protected]
Monday 9th Nov 6.30 - 7.30pm - Countdown to the Glasgow UN climate summit 2021: Faith voices from Birmingham
A joint webinar between Faith for the Climate and Footsteps exploring how Birmingham can send a message to the COP26 UN climate talks in Glasgow next year. Speakers:
All welcome. Please register through www.footstepsbcf.org.uk/events/cop26-webinar-with-faith-for-the-climate/
Sun 15th Nov 2.00 - 3.15 pm Tread Lightly on this Earth
Footsteps’ fifth annual Tread Lightly event will be a celebration of community initiatives that are contributing to the circular economy.
We’ll have a mixture of live and pre-recorded contributions on the theme of the circular economy and the 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. There are many exciting initiatives happening in our city, especially around food waste, which we’re keen to learn from.
As always the event will be a chance to:
All welcome. Please register through www.footstepsbcf.org.uk/events/tread-lightly-2020/
Finally, please support a petition for a big reduction in Birmingham's carbon footprint:
Replace Incineration with Better Waste Options
Dear Friends,
I hope this finds you well and ready to join us in looking at the challenges faced by the poorest on our planet.
Last month the G20 Finance Ministers announced a 6-month extension to their Debt Service Suspension Initiative which affects the poorest, heavily indebted countries greatly suffering from the coronavirus epidemic They also indicated that this month they would discuss a common framework for debt reduction and indicated this would require the participation of private lenders but only be available on a ‘case-by-case’ basis. They have not given any further details. These are positive steps but not nearly enough.
Reacting to the announcement of the 6-month extension Sarah-Jayne Clifton, Director of JDC, said: The extension of the limited debt suspension scheme does little to tackle the profound debt and health crises impacting many of the poorest people in the world. The G20’s failure to include private and multilateral lenders in the scheme shows a disregard for the scale of the global South debt crisis and will mean over $3 billion in debt payments continue to leave the poorest countries every month. It is scandalous that private lenders are still making large profits out of poor countries at this time. For further details please look at this video of Sarah. https://twitter.com/beyondcovid_/status/1318126707602345989
Reacting to the discussions over a future debt cancellation scheme Sarah added: “We welcome the G20 plans to discuss debt cancellation and private creditor participation at a special meeting in November. But this needs to be comprehensive, not case-by-case. Next month the G20 need to agree to cancel debt payments by the poorest countries to private, multilateral and bilateral lenders for four years. Doing so could save up to $180 billion to protect livelihoods and public services during the pandemic and support the recovery afterwards.” Further details are to be found on the Jubilee Debt Campaign website with the relevant links:
https://jubileedebt.org.uk/press-release/reaction-to-g20-debt-suspension-and-common-framework
https://jubileedebt.org.uk/briefing/under-the-radar-private-sector-debt-and-coronavirus-in-developing-countries
https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2020/10/16/world-bankimf-annual-meetings-2020-development-committee-communique
https://jubileedebt.org.uk/briefing/how-the-imf-can-unlock-multilateral-debt-cancellation
The Big Give
Meanwhile contributions to the work of Jubilee Debt Campaign are being sought in The Big Give. This begins at noon on Tuesday 1st December and finishes at noon on Tuesday 8th December. Money so given will be doubled by matched funding. Donations are to be made over the internet: https://www.jubileedebt.org.uk/biggive
Anyone who would like help in ensuring their donation is made over the internet is asked to contact Alison Geary on 0121 471 5280.
JDC Planning Committee
The next meeting will be at 10.30am on Tuesday 24th November by zoom. Any one not usually emailed about this is very welcome provided they let me know so I can send them a zoom link.
Climate and Debt: An even bigger challenge!
Compared with corona global warming is an even greater challenge. It is chiefly affecting the poorest; economic justice requires environmental action too. Hence information below about important environmental events this month together with a petition it is most important to sign.
Thank you so much for your partnership in campaigning. But if at any stage you want to take a break and unsubscribe please let me know.
All the best,
John Nightingale, Chair JDC Birmingham
07811 128831 [email protected]
Monday 9th Nov 6.30 - 7.30pm - Countdown to the Glasgow UN climate summit 2021: Faith voices from Birmingham
A joint webinar between Faith for the Climate and Footsteps exploring how Birmingham can send a message to the COP26 UN climate talks in Glasgow next year. Speakers:
- Shahin Ashraf, MBE, Islamic Relief Worldwide
- Dr Malcolm Dick, Centre for West Midlands History, University of Birmingham
All welcome. Please register through www.footstepsbcf.org.uk/events/cop26-webinar-with-faith-for-the-climate/
Sun 15th Nov 2.00 - 3.15 pm Tread Lightly on this Earth
Footsteps’ fifth annual Tread Lightly event will be a celebration of community initiatives that are contributing to the circular economy.
We’ll have a mixture of live and pre-recorded contributions on the theme of the circular economy and the 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. There are many exciting initiatives happening in our city, especially around food waste, which we’re keen to learn from.
As always the event will be a chance to:
- hear about different faith perspectives on the environment,
- get inspired by sustainable initiatives taking place in Birmingham,
- connect with others in small group discussions.
All welcome. Please register through www.footstepsbcf.org.uk/events/tread-lightly-2020/
Finally, please support a petition for a big reduction in Birmingham's carbon footprint:
Replace Incineration with Better Waste Options