The Group of eight is an informal gathering of the eight richest countries in the world. They meet once a year and discuss matters of global concern. This usually centres around international economics and globalisation. However, in 1998 in Birmingham UK the G8 summit was surrounded by 70,000 debt campaigners protesting that the G8 would not take the debt issue seriously. Since then international development and debt relief have been given considerable attention. However, the G8 do not have the power to make policy or end the debt crisis alone. It is up to the World Bank and IMF to put G8 ideas into practice.

Reports on G8 Summit

MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY Scottish Coalition response to the G8
Justice for the World's Poor- Did the G8 Deliver?

World Bank Development Committee Communique April 2005

G24 communique April 2005

Devilish details: Implications of the G7 debt deal 16/06/2005

G8 cancellation of World Bank, IMF debt: "step forward"

In the balance May 2005

If not now, when? February 2005
This report of the UK All Party Parliamentary Group on Heavily Indebted Poor Countries, produced in partnership with Jubilee Debt Campaign, makes urgent recommendations on debt cancellation for a strong and prosperous Africa.

Did the G8 Drop the Debt? 2002

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