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JUBILEE 2000 LIGHTS FLAME OF HOPE AS
CAMPAIGNERS VOW TO KEEP FIGHTING FOR AN END TO DEBT SLAVERY |
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JUBILEE 2000 LIGHTS FLAME OF HOPE AS
CAMPAIGNERS VOW TO KEEP FIGHTING FOR AN END TO DEBT SLAVERY |
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Jubilee 2000 Press Release, December 2nd 2000
Five thousand debt campaigners, including Bob Geldof, gathered in Trafalgar Square at dusk today for the lighting of the 'Jubilee 2000 flame', to symbolise the continuation of the fight for debt cancellation for the poorest countries, despite reaching the end of the millennium year.
The event, entitled `The world will never be the same again', was a moving celebration of the achievements of the Jubilee 2000 Coalition, which closes at the end of this year having reached its millennium deadline.
Following a march past the Treasury and Downing St, the torch-lit rally was addressed by speakers including Jubilee 2000's Director Ann Pettifor, Bob Geldof and leading campaigners from the South. The rally ended with five minutes of drums, trumpets, whistles and flares.
Ann Pettifor thanked Jubilee 2000 supporters for their extraordinary commitment and urged them to carry on the fight:
"In just four years of campaigning, the Jubilee 2000 movement has transformed the global debate on debt and forced creditors to start addressing the debt crisis. But we all know we still have so much more to do. We cannot rest until the chains of debt are broken.”
Before the march, Gordon Brown, Chancellor of the Exchequer, delighted campaigners by announcing that Britain will no longer take debt money from some of the poorest countries, setting an international precedent. Ann Pettifor said:
“This announcement makes us even more determined to carry forward the spirit of Jubilee 2000 beyond the millennium year. It shows that if people shout loud enough, change happens. With the poorest countries still paying $25 million each day to rich creditors, there is still a long way to go before the debt crisis is over.”
The Chancellor made his announcement to a packed audience in Westminster, alongside campaigners from Zambia and Zimbabwe, who spoke of the devastating impact of the debt crisis, and urged their northern partners to keep the pressure on. Supporters signed letters urging the Italian government, next year's Chair of the G8, to steer the world's leaders towards a new deal on debt in Genoa, July 2001.
The Jubilee 2000 Coalition was launched in 1996, with the goal of cancelling the unpayable debts of the poorest countries in the year 2000 under a fair process, and has sparked one of the biggest international movements in recent history.
ENDS.
For more information, contact Lucy Matthew 07970 175 324 or Sarah Finch 07870 823 485
Notes for editors:
1 The Jubilee 2000 Coalition is made up of over 100 organisations, including aid agencies, unions, and faith-based organisations. There are now Jubilee 2000 networks nearly 70 countries worldwide, and a record-breaking 24 million people around the world have signed the Jubilee 2000 petition. See for more information.
2 Debt campaigning beyond the year 2000:
* 'Jubilee Plus' a long-term support unit for global campaigns on international debt and finance will be led by Director Ann Pettifor (www.jubileeplus.org)
* 'Drop the Debt', a short-term campaign focused on winning a new debt deal at next year's G8 summit in Genoa, Italy will be led by Deputy Director Adrian Lovett (www.dropthedebt.org)
* A Debt Network of aid agencies and advocacy groups will share information and co-ordinate policy, backing Drop the Debt and future debt campaigns.
3 Programme for `The world will never be the same again' on Saturday 2nd December:
2-3.15 pm: Programme of speakers (including Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown MP), music and drama at the Emmanuel Centre, Marsham St, SW1.
3.30 pm: `Drop the Debt' march past the Treasury and Downing Street, led by children carrying lanterns and samba bands. The children will leave a lantern on the steps of the Treasury and Downing St to show that the Jubilee 2000 flame will burn until the debts are cancelled.
4.30pm: Torch-lit rally in Trafalgar Square, with lighting of the Jubilee 2000 flame (one of the Millennium Beacons lit across the UK on January 31, 1999). Ends with Redemption song and five minutes of noise filling the Square.
4 Tributes to Jubilee 2000 supporters, read out at the rally included: Kofi Annan, UN Secretary General:
My dear friends, At the end of this extraordinary year, a flame of hope has been kindled in the poorest countries of the world -- hope that they will at last be able to shake off the burden of debt which, for far too long, has been stifling their development. This remarkable progress is due in large part to you. It could not have happened without the courage, commitment and creativity of the Jubilee 2000 Coalition. On behalf of the United Nations, I extend my deep gratitude to you all for your indefatigable efforts. At the end of this Millennium year, millions of people are indebted to you.
5 Jubilee 2000 campaigned for 52 countries to get debt cancellation, who owe a total of $376 billion. So far, creditors have promised to cancel $110 billion of the debts of 41 countries (of this only $12 billion has actually been cancelled). This leaves many of the poorest governments spending more on debt than health or education. Jubilee 2000 argue that at least $300 billion must be cancelled to make a lasting difference.
6 The millennium flame and millennium beacon lit in Trafalgar Square were provided by Bruno Peek, the founder of Beacon Millennium. They have travelled the country raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity.