From Jon Cape
Co-ordinator
Fair Trade Stirling
It is not often that representatives of local political parties are invited to take a common stand
This is one of those occasions
As the UK prepares to host the G8 this summer, over a hundred organisations have joined forces with the Enough Food for Everyone IF campaign, see
When Scotland hosted the G8 in 2005 I was proud of the part Stirling played in Make Poverty History. I was able to fill four coaches with Stirling people to make our voice heard. People in Stirling do have a passion for tackling poverty globally as well as locally.
As Co-ordinator of Fair Trade Stirling, I am also proud that fair trade (which has a key role to play in tackling hunger and poverty) has received all party support in the renewed commitment recently given by Stirling Council.
An IF Campaign event is to be held at Logie Kirk Hall, Causewayhead, Stirling FK9 5LH 10.30 to 12noon on Saturday 16th March 2013.
It would be great to have all party support in Stirling for this Campaign. This invitation is therefore extended to our MP, MSP, leaders of each Party represented on Stirling Council and to the Stirling Liberal Democrats.
I would be grateful if you could confirm that you, or a colleague, will be able to take part in this event alongside local development groups with an interest in the IF Campaign themes.
We would like to use the event as an opportunity for a joint statement of support to be issued to the Prime Minister, Chancellor of the Exchequer and the First Minister. Areas we propose to be covered are outlined in a note at the end of this email. I would hope that these are felt to be issues which all could lend support to but if there are specific aspects which you feel you would not wish to support or need more information on do let me know. More on the background is available on the IF and Christian Aid websites (and others). NB There is a great 2 ½ minute video here which introduces the IF Campaign
Note on areas to be covered
Aid Support for UK Government on:
1. Delivering on its commitment to spend 0.7% of gross national income on aid from 2013, and taking steps to filling funding gaps for agriculture, nutrition programmes.
2. Using its presidency of the G8 in 2013 to pressure the rest of the G8 to increase their global investment in sustainable small-scale agriculture and nutrition.
Climate Change Support for UK and Scottish Government as applicable on:
1. Meeting our UK and Scottish climate change targets
2. Using its presidency of the G8 in 2013 and its participation in global climate talks to promote an effective global climate change agreement in 2015 which acknowledges developing countries concerns and the issue of climate justice, upon which Scotland has taken a leading role.
3. Show ongoing commitment to the International Development Fund and the Scottish Climate Justice Fund; the Scottish Climate Justice Fund should match the International Development Fund by 2016.
Land grabs
1. The UK Government should put the issue of large-scale corporate ‘land grabs’ in developing countries on the G8’s agenda, and promote action to help improve their governance, transparency and accountability.
2. Lobby for biofuels grown on land, that could have been used to grow food, not to be counted towards the EU’s 10% renewable energy in transport target.
3. The UK Government should scrap its target, which states that 5% of transport fuel must come from biofuels by 2013.
Tax
1. Seeking to strengthen laws to reduce corporate tax avoidance, nationally and internationally.
2. Proposing that the UK Government should introduce legislation to require UK companies and wealthy individuals to report their use of tax schemes that have an impact on developing countries.
3. Proposing that the UK Government notify the tax authorities of developing countries when avoidance schemes are identified, and assist in the recovery of the money they’re owed.
Transparency
1. The UK Government should use its presidency of the G8 to push for greater transparency in land acquisitions.
2. Support greater financial transparency from governments of developing countries, to enable citizens in these countries to hold their governments to account for the money they spend.
3. Require UK companies to report on the full environmental, social and human rights impact of their business.
Other Scottish Government issues
· Show ongoing commitment to the International Development Fund and the Scottish Climate Justice Fund; the Scottish Climate Justice Fund should match the International Development Fund by 2016.
· Procurement legislation should put Fair Trade, tax transparency and environmental sustainability at the heart of Scottish Government spending decisions.
· We ask the Scottish Government to highlight the parallels with the Highland Clearances and host a Global Land Hearing to discuss lessons from Scotland which could inform the implementation of the 2012 Voluntary Guidelines on land tenure.
· We seek greater investment for Global Citizenship Education for children, young people and adults.
· Scotland must measure its impact, direct and indirect, on developing countries and on global hunger and poverty. The Scottish Government must deliver a coordinated response in recognition of the fact that the actions of every department have repercussions for global development.
Media and Personal Seek to:
· Adopt relevant lifestyle changes personally and within organisations
· Use influence and media channels to try and spread the word wherever possible about both IF and the work of local campaigners.