Past events

Jubilee Scotland Campaigners Forum
Saturday 16 March 2002

CONTENTS:
Resolving the poor country debt crisis: An assessment of progress, barriers and opportunities. Presentation by Doug Anthoney Co-ordinator Jubilee Scotland

Workshops Summaries:
Participating in All Hands on Debt campaign actions
Facilitator: Doug Anthoney, Jubilee Scotland
Using new speakers pack material
Facilitator: Kristin Waag, Jubilee Scotland
Developing links with South
Facilitator: Mary Kilpatrick, Working Together For Change)
Lobbying
Facilitator: Mark Lazarowicz, MP

Resolving the poor country debt crisis
An assessment of progress, barriers and opportunities

Doug Anthoney, Co-ordinator, Jubilee Scotland, April 2002

This paper is a summary of recent developments that bear on the debt issue and of research by NGOs campaigning for debt justice. It is based on a presentation to the Jubilee Scotland Campaigners Forum, 16th March 2002.

The Heavily Indebted Poor Countries process - where are we at
The current vehicle for debt relief agreed by the Group of 7 and delivered by the IMF and World Bank is the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries process. Of the 42 eligible countries 25 have qualified for debt relief so far. Four countries have passed completion point; Tanzania, Uganda, Mozambique and Bolivia. The official view of the UK Government and other creditors is that the process is working and will reduce poor country debts to a manageable level.

"The HIPC process has now lifted the burden of unpayable debt from 24 of the most highly indebted countries, canceling $56 billion in debt."
HM Treasury, February 2002

Debt campaigners have a different view. At the start of 2002 only $13.2 billion of debt had actually been cut. This is compared to $100 billion promised under HIPC and the $300 billion backlog of unpayable debt identified by Jubilee 2000 as hanging over 52 poor countries. The UK Treasury figure of $56 billion is based on 'agreed' debt relief, and although the amount cancelled may build towards this figure over time, there is no firm indication of whether and when this amount will actually be delivered.

World Bank figures show that 7 countries will have unsustainable debts after HIPC. These figures are based on forecasts that suggest far better economic performance than in preceding years and discount the possibility of external 'shocks' such as natural disasters. Jubilee Research at the New Economics Foundation has adjusted the figures to take the real life experience of indebted poor countries into account and reached the conclusion that all participating countries will have unmanagable debts on completing HIPC.

The impact of HIPCs failure is clear. Tanzania will reduce annual debt service payments by just 10% after HIPC. This is a country where one in four die before age five and half the population lack access to clean water. Partial solutions to the debt crisis in Tanzania and elsewhere are practically untenable and morally unacceptable

Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers - a step forward or two back?
Creditors have always insisted that certain conditions should be met before debt cancellation can take place. Structural Adjustment Programmes,
designed and imposed by creditors, became notorious in the 1980s for hurting the poor as their free market prescriptions resulted in mass unemployment, huge increases in the cost of basic necessities and a slashing of social expenditures. Under pressure from campaigners creditors reformed this system. The new Poverty Reduction Strategy papers look good at first glance, with the stated aim of channeling savings from debt cancellation directly into poverty reduction. The process of drafting the papers also now includes full consultation with civil society groups.

"Good Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers can mean the benefits of debt relief will be felt by those sectors of society most in need. This is what the debt relief campaign is all about"
HM Treasury, December 2001

The PRSP process contains an immense flaw, however, in that papers have to be approved by the IMF and World Bank. This represents an increase in the power of these institutions over debtors. Evidence is also emerging from developing country NGOs that civil society participation is limited and token, with key policy reforms being agreed in secret negotiations between finance ministries and IMF/World Bank officials. Most damning of all, many of the reforms implemented under PRSPs closely resemble those implemented under Structural Adjustment Programmes with a similar negative impact on the poor. Ghana is one example. Here, the IMF, World Bank and UK Department for International Development are pressing the Government to privatize the public water supply. The uncertainty has already resulted in a 95% hike in water fees. Foreign multinationals seeking substantial profits will take control. 70% Ghanaians live on $1 a day and the proportion of people without access to safe drinking water, currently 30%, is likely to grow.

Winning the argument
UK based debt campaigners are currently working on two fronts to discredit the arguments of creditors in favour of the status quo. Jubilee Debt Campaign (UK), of which Jubilee Scotland is a member, is drawing attention to the massive funding gap which threatens to undermine internationally agreed poverty reduction targets. The Millennium Development Goals, agreed at the United Nations General Assembly in 2000, set targets for substantial poverty reduction by the year 2015. Group of 7 creditors, the IMF, World Bank and many developing countries have signed up to these targets. Without further debt cancellation, JDC argues, meeting the goals is impossible. On the second front Jubilee Research at New Economics Foundation is pressing the case for an international bankruptcy procedure.

Debt and the Millennium Development Goals
The MDG goals span seven key areas. By 2015 these aim to:

1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger - halve the number of people on $1 a day and the number of people suffering hunger
2. Achieve universal primary education
3. Achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women
4. Reduce child mortality by two thirds
5. Improve maternal health and reduce maternal mortality by three quarters
6. Combat major diseases including HIV/Aids and malaria - have halted and started to reverse their spread
7. Achieve environmental sustainability, including halving the number of people without access to safe water

Research by Jubilee Debt Campaign and Jubilee Research shows that for Heavily Indebted Poor Countries meeting the first goal alone will require 100% debt cancellation and a tripling of international aid from $15 billion to $46 billion a year. To achieve the remaining goals will require 100% debt cancellation plus $16.5 billion additional aid. Where developing country governments are committed to the 2015 targets creditors that are likewise committed to the goals have no moral case for denying debt cancellation and further aid. The cost, were it shared equally amongst people in the developed world, would be no more than $1 a week. Previous research by Drop the Debt has shown, however, that the IMF and World Bank could accommodate 100% debt cancellation for HIPC countries from their existing reserves.

International Bankruptcy
A fair and transparent process for dealing with national debt crises has always been part of the Jubilee campaign. While struggling debtors can file for bankruptcy in domestic law, there is no comparable process at international level where debts can spiral unchecked and borrowers are entirely at the mercy of creditors. In a surprise announcement in December 2001 the IMF for the first time gave its backing to a judicial insolvency process for indebted Governments. This was given a cautious welcomed by campaigners. Jubilee Research, however, has identified flaws in the model promoted by the IMF. This would leave the IMF as judge and jury, would exempt it from any payments standstill imposed on other creditors, and would fail to address the needs of the poorest indebted countries. Jubilee Research has developed a 'Jubilee Framework' based on a simple process whereby creditors and debtors appoint an independent third party to help assess the portfolio of debts and agree fair outcomes. This is now being promoted vigorously to creditors, but is not as yet the focus of mass campaign action.

Where next?
In 2002 Jubilee Scotland will continue to act as a resource, focal point and catalyst for debt campaigning in Scotland. It will connect with UK-wide campaign initiatives where beneficial, particularly in the areas of policy and lobbying around the 2015 poverty reduction targets.

Mass mobilisation at intergovernmental summits is no longer an option following the Genoa experience. Through initiatives such as All Hands on Debt, however, we can exert pressure effectively at local/Scottish level. In 2002 Jubilee Scotland will develop its education outreach work with schools and with the wider community to maximise participation in this. Building links with groups in developing countries will remain a priority. As a member of Jubilee Movement International new opportunities will arise for participation in global actions.

Workshop: Taking part in the All Hands on Debt Campaign Action
Facilitator: Doug Anthoney, Jubilee Scotland

Participants were set the task of identifying elements of a local strategy for the All Hands on Debt campaign.

Q: What are the opportunities for building the hand-print petition?
· Involve students Groups, e.g. Amnesty International, People & Planet, University Fairs
· Involve local groups, e.g. Oxfam, World Development Movement, Traidcraft
· Involve churches
- a route to local schools
- also can use central locations to, e.g. display posters in window and hang banners on scaffolding
- church open day
- AHOD Sunday mass/service, including; hand printing, letter writing, postcard signing, 'unfair' tug of war (haves vs have-nots), 'rich person/poor person' lunches, T-shirts
· Have a presence at fairs, community festivals, e.g. Edinburgh Meadows, Highland Games, street parades, coffee mornings
· Be flexible about hand-prints, e.g. drawing round hands in marker pen where paint not possible, separate sheets for hand prints to pin on
· Involve
· Get into big music festivals
· Set up at public places, e.g. town centres, train stations, supermarkets
· Get into schools (need link person), churches, universities
· Involve brownies, cubs and guides etc
· Involve MPs and MSPs
· Involve local personalities or celebrities if possible

Q: How might we build local Jubilee coalitions?
· Set up a campaign planning meeting and invite representatives of key local groups to attend
· Use personal networks
· Contact Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (0131 556 3882) or local Council for Voluntary Services for details of local voluntary groups

Q: How do we communicate our message and who do we target?
· Use E Mailing lists
· Local press and radio (including student radio)
· Public libraries - posters, displays etc.
· Church networks - approach all local clergy, but not by mail
· Make use of opportunities for viewers responses to TV shows
· Give talks in community
· Involve local council
· Involve visiting speakers from overseas
· Actions, e.g. hill climbing challenge
· In Universities, make use of Departmental Seminar Programme
· In Universities, bring debt into talks from GAP year organisations
· Connect with groups in other Universities

Q: What can we expect from Jubilee Scotland and what can Jubilee Scotland expect from us?
· From Jubilee Scotland
- a manageable campaign
- monthly mailings
- ways to share information between groups, including list of other Jubilee Scotland supporters in area
- info on what coalition member organisations are doing on debt, e.g. Church of Scotland
- latest information
- draft letters to MPs
- template press releases
- materials, e.g. posters, cards
· From activists
- commitment to write letters etc
- keep Jubilee Scotland up to date and keep going as best we can
- inform ourselves of what is going on

Workshop: Using Jubilee Scotland's Speaker Material
Facilitator: Kristin Waag, Jubilee Scotland

New speakers materials have been developed for supporters who would like to get more actively involved in Jubilee Scotland's outreach work. Giving talks is a very effective way of enthusing supporters, and expanding our outreach work is also important to strengthen other areas of our campaign, such as the All Hands on Debt theme and schools work. So far, talks have mainly been given by the office staff, so involving campaigners also entail reaching even further across Scotland with our campaign message.

You don't need to be an economist to give a talk on debt, and the speakers' material will provide speakers with enough background materials and resources to confidently explain the debt crisis and our campaign to other people.

The Speakers Pack includes:
· PowerPoint Presentation (can be used with either computer or overhead acetates) A user-friendly presentation which can be easily adapted to the specific audience.
· Background notes to the presentation with reference to further sources.
· Debt Devils Advocate: A guide to frequently asked questions
· Debt Jargon

Speakers Panel
We are also establishing a Speakers Panel, a network of supporters across Scotland who can give talks and explore new opportunities for outreach work. In addition to providing speakers pack and general campaign materials, the office will ensure that the Panel is up to date on the latest news and action on debt via Speakers Briefings.

At the Campaigners Forum workshop, Kristin introduced new materials and consulted with supporters to find out what kind of information and updates activists feel they need to confidently give a talk on debt. The Speakers Pack is currently being revised after the Campaigners Forum consultation. Please get in touch (0131 225 4321/mail@jubileescotland.org.uk) if you would like to join our speakers panel and use the materials!

Workshop: Lobbying your MP
Facilitator: Mark Lazarowicz, MP

How might the Jubilee Scotland campaign have an impact on Westminster?
· Mark Lazarowicz said there was general sympathy in Westminster towards the Jubilee campaign. Claire Short and Gordon Brown are broadly sympathetic.
· Mark Lazarowicz noted that there had been very little lobbying of MPs by the public on the debt issue.
· As a backbench MP he believed backbenchers as a group did have influence - much more than is generally believed. There are around 500 backbench MPs at Westminster. Backbenchers generally free to give their own opinion in parliament whereas junior and cabinet ministers are banned from speaking out on certain issues.

Ways in which backbenchers can raise issues in Parliament:
Early day motions:
These are petitions started by MPs that can raise awareness of various issues. Any backbencher can initiate or sign Early Day Motions (EDMs). However, there have been about one thousand EDMs since October last year. An EDM only starts to be noticed by parliament and the media after it has about 100 signatures.
Question time:
Backbenchers are free to submit their questions for the weekly question time. However, most MPs submit at least one question to be considered for the debate every week. Of the 500 questions then, only 8-10 are chosen!
Backbencher debates:
Backbenchers can put in discussion topic requests for this weekly debate.
They can also speak in important debates at parliament.
Other:
MPs can write letters to government ministers. They can also submit written questions to cabinet ministers.
They are free to ask questions at special meetings organised by cabinet ministers.
Some will be on all-party parliamentary groups dealing with specific issues.
Mark Lazarowicz pointed out that even on an informal basis - over tea, at the canteen- MPs do discuss current political issues and this is a chance for backbench MPs to express their views.

What is the best way to lobby your local MP?
· A campaign that has broad-based support will be better recognised
· If you are sending letters, an individual letter is more effective than a standard one.
If it is the same person who writes regularly to an MP they will probably be slightly ignored. An MP needs to receive a number of letters on an issue before they will pay real attention. Postcards - even more of these needs to be sent to stand out. Mark Lazarowicz says he has received very few letters or postcards on the debt issue, or indeed any one-issue campaign since October.
· Emails are generally not as effective as letters. MPs receive an awful lot of emails so they can be ignored. If you are sending an email, make sure you put your name and address on the top. Backbench MPs cannot take up issues that aren't raised by their constituents!
· Faxing your MP - local MPs do not generally receive too many faxes so this is another good way to get your message across.
· Personal contact is the most effective way of getting your MPs attention.
MPs have weekly surgeries, however you might not have long to speak. It is best to phone up and arrange a meeting with your MP. Lobbying your local MP as a local group is most effective.
· Invite your MP along to your local 'Hands on Debt' events.

Mark Lazarowicz felt that most MPs would pass on their views in parliament, even if they were not entirely their own views. He said that he didn't think it was really worth while contacting MSPs re the debt issue. They have no formal way of giving feed-back to Westminster, and this is really a foreign policy/ development issue.

Workshop: Linking with Indebted Countries
Facilitator: Mary Kilpatrick, Working Together for Change

Working Together for Change's Project
Women as educators and Carers in Scotland and Nicaragua linking
· Group of women from Nicaragua visiting Scotland at the end of April
· Group of women from Scotland going to Nicaragua in the summer

First Step
· Mary belongs to a religious community, which visited Nicaragua in the 1980s and kept up contacts
· Situations in Nicaragua have changed, but the interest for maintaining the link and promoting an exchange is still there
· Important to know that people are struggling-connect with their realities as people, first of all
· Trying to meet women as equals, learning from and sharing skills. Must be sensitive to the situations the Nicaraguan women are coming from, which requires a great deal of dialogue.
· Personal contact
· Time and preparation a must-ideally need a couple years!
· Funding a must!

Framework to provide a programme

The Compass Rose

N (Natural)

W (Who decides? Political) E (Economics)

S (Social)

· Raise questions about who they are and why they are doing this-will learn more about the situation
o Talking to mothers of children with special needs
· Belong to a Natural world
· After established framework, thought maybe a wee bit complicated, but life is complicated and they didn't want to oversimplify the situation.
· The framework can allow comparison between groups
· The framework puts everything in a broader perspective
· Must remember that we (in Scotland) are as indebted to a linked society as they are to us (has been a criticism of 'Campaign Connecting', encouraging groups to work with indebted people / groups)

Campaign Connecting
1. What kind of group can you link with?
2. Profile
3. Describe your group
4. Identify co-ordinator with means of communication
5. Support for co-ordinator
6. Making the link through Jubilee Scotland
7. Questions ßà Case Study (use groups as case studies)
8. Keeping discussion going

Results so far from Working Together for Change's Link
· Got money for education programme through DFID, though did not cover airfares; have to agree with their terms
· Questions of language addressed-need some people who speak Spanish
· If the group is struggling economically, can't make assumptions about the capabilities of the group
· Two people from Scotland went to Nicaragua last summer, then had regular meetings for the past year to learn about them and selves
· Learning done by looking at the four points on the Compass Rose: each person chose an area to research / study
1. Took photos of Scotland and discussed and questioned-ask why things are they way they are
2. Need facts and figures, but need to think for self
3. Held "socio-dramas"

Discussion
Linking with the Sisters of Notre Dame:
· Need to think out and plan - need funds
· Need to make the point that issues are no one-dimensional
· Framework for the whole project needs to widen

· Where is the initial decision-making for links taking place? Should be from the developing countries and people should be willing, but there's an imbalance
· Developed world groups only seem to be enthusiastic if they initiate the link
· There are organisations which have experience that can assist with the balance and connection between groups.
· Zambian Debt Campaign has literature, and groups could feed from each other. Need to know people first.
· Difficult to gather enthusiasm.
· Example of links that work: Episcopal Church in the USA started with groups and organisations in El Salvador / Honduras, sending member (especially young people) for weeklong projects. May be difficult to keep up links, unless a structure is in place, though.
· Make sure it's not 'eco-tourism'.
· Recently, Rwandan women came to the UK to speak. They made significant, but short-term impressions. The question is how to get the impression to continue or last? The Rwandan women (ministers) said they would like to create links, but none have yet been established.
· The red t-shirts that were worn when cycling will be sent to Kenya as a symbol of what was done and asking the Kenya group to indicate how things could keep going forward from the Scottish end.