NEWS Scottish campaigners join millions to take action for trade justice In the first global event of its kind, millions of people in more than 70 countries will take to the streets from 10 to 16 April 2005, calling for trade justice to help lift people out of poverty. Spearheaded by the Trade Justice Movement (TJM) coalition, the Global Week of Action provides a platform for people from the world’s poorest nations to demand an end to damaging trade conditions. People in Scotland will be calling on the UK government and international financial institutions to end economic liberalisation conditions imposed on loans and debt relief. TJM, as part of the Make Poverty History Coalition (MPH), will be encouraging as many people as possible in Scotland to ‘vote for trade justice’ through local events and a presence in Buchanan Street Glasgow from Monday 11 to Thursday 14 April. It is hoped, from the combined events throughout the UK, to collect 1,000,000 votes which will be handed over to the prime minister later this year. The iconic white band now associated with MPH will be wrapped round the statue of Donald Dewar each day. This will be inaugurated by Baillie Robert Winter on Monday 11 at 10am. The week’s events A key demand of TJM is to end agricultural subsidies that damage the livelihoods of poor people throughout the world. To symbolise the dumping into developing country markets by rich countries, Oxfam in Scotland will stage the dumping of rice outside the US Consulate in Edinburgh on Monday 11 April at 10am. The whole scene will be cordoned off as a trade 'crime scene', with white tape branded Make Poverty History. An ecumenical group of clergy will physically add their presence to the Buchanan Street action by making a human cross on the steps of the concert hall on Thursday 14 April at 12 noon. Those who have not already handed in their vote for trade justice will then cast it in the TJM ballot box. Scottish campaigners will then head to London on Friday 15 April joining people from across Britain for an all-night vigil. At 4am, when the greatest number of people in the world will be awake, participants will converge for a mass vigil on Whitehall. They will stand in silence with a candle in solidarity with the millions of people in the world suffering from unjust trade. Other events around the world will include demonstrations, petitions to governments and institutions such as the IMF and World Bank, voting for trade justice, street theatre, lectures, seminars, conferences and much more. Organisations known to TJM in Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Ghana, India, Kenya, Philippines and South Africa will be organising events to campaign against enforced liberalisation. Ends Thursday 14 April 2005 nr350405 Note to news desks Members of the Trade Justice Movement involved in the Buchanan Street vote collection are Christian Aid Scotland, Church of Scotland, Oxfam in Scotland, SCIAF, Tearfund, and the World Development Movement. Vote for Trade Justice calls on the UK government to * fight for rules that ensure governments, particularly in poor countries, can choose the best solutions to end poverty and protect the environment - these will not always be free trade policies; * end export subsidies that damage the livelihoods of poor people around the world; * make laws that stop big businesses profiting at the expense of people and the environment. For further information visit the trade justice pages from the Board of World Mission online here or see the Trade Justice Movement website on www.tjm.org.uk NEWS Church ministers step up for trade justice A group of around 30 church ministers will gather in Glasgow on Thursday 14 April to stand in the formation of the cross, as on a voting card. They will be indicating their support for changes in international trade rules. As part of the Global Week of Action, they will be joining millions around the world calling for trade justice to help lift people out of poverty. At 12 noon, the ministers, who represent several different denominations, will first of all queue to 'cast their votes for trade justice' and then, at 12.15pm, stand on the steps of the concert hall in the shape of a cross. Carol Finlay, of the Church of Scotland’s Board of World Mission, commented: "The Global Week of Action provides a platform for everyone who cares about injustice in international trade to speak out. Faith communities, social movements, mass organisations, local and national campaigns and coalitions are joining together with this message: No to the rich and powerful imposing unjust trade agreements, indiscriminate liberalisation and privatisation on the poor. Yes to everyone’s right to food, a livelihood, water, health and education." The ministers will be asking for trade justice which calls on the UK government to fight for rules that ensure governments, particularly in poor countries, can choose the best solutions to end poverty and protect the environment. These will not always be free trade policies end export subsidies that damage the livelihoods of poor people around the world make laws that stop big businesses profiting at the expense of people and the environment. The ministers’ actions tomorrow are being coordinated by Christian Aid and the Church of Scotland, who are part of the wider Scottish Coalition for Trade Justice. Christian Aid and Church of Scotland will also be using the day to highlight Thursday’s theme for the Global Week of Action, which is health. They will show the effect that unfair trade rules have on the health of the world’s poorest people, particularly with regard HIV/AIDS. Ends Tuesday 12 April 2005 nr360405 Note to news desks 1. For comment on the day’s event contact Diane Green (Christian Aid Scotland) 0141 221 7475 or 07752 374 091, or Carol Finlay (Church of Scotland) 0131 225 5722 2. The Scottish Coalition for Trade Justice includes Christian Aid, the Church of Scotland Board of World Mission, Oxfam, People and Planet, SCIAF, Scottish Catholic Justice and Peace Commission, Tearfund, Working Together for Change, World Development Movement Scotland and Banana Link. 3. You are invited to send a photographer/journalist at 12noon to the steps of Royal Concert Hall (near Donald Dewar Statue), Buchanan Street, Glasgow. 4. Further information about the Board of World Mission's campaign for trade justice is available online here. 5. For further information on trade justice, visit the Trade Justice Movement website at www.tjm.org.uk.