That was the week that was

"It is striking how much of my postbag remains focused on the issue of debt relief and how widely this issue still chimes with the general public," said Douglas Alexander, the International Development Minister, this week - and he wasn't wrong.

Campaigners new and old have just finished taking part in a global week of action on debt, reminding politicians, the media and the public that despite progress in recent years, the daily injustice of poor country debt is far from resolved.

THANK YOU!
A big thank you if you were one of them - actions took place in more than 60 countries around the world, and reports are still coming in. Activities in the UK ranged from sermons at Sunday services to public meetings, film screenings, Stand Up and Speak Out events, and vigils, as well as MP lobby meetings.

If you haven't already, do let us know what you got up to. And in the meantime, read our report on some of the main events during the week: http://www.jubileedebtcampaign.org.uk/debtweekreport

CAMPAIGNERS TAKE ACTION...

Before flying to Washington for the World Bank and IMF annual meetings last weekend Douglas Alexander promised he would argue against forcing poor countries to privatise and liberalise basic
services. His words came after he had received thousands of messages from Jubilee Debt Campaign, ActionAid, Christian Aid and Oxfam campaigners in the weeks before the meetings.

The WORLD vs BANK tribunal in the Netherlands last Monday heard direct testimony on the effects these conditions are having on poor people's lives. But while UK officials echoed Alexander's concerns at the annual meetings, real progress was thin on the ground.

...THE WORLD BANK AND IMF DON'T

Perhaps most indicative of the stalemate in Washington was the continued failure to resolve Liberia's arrears clearance, which donor countries have been discussing for more than eighteen months. And with the World Bank's paper on odious debt, commissioned by the Norwegian
government, completely failing to engage with the need to cancel unjust, illegitimate debts, it's clear that there's still much work to be done.

Read a full report on what happened at the meetings: http://www.jubileedebtcampaign.org.uk/dc2007

KEEP UP THE PRESSURE

If you didn't manage to take action during debt week, there's still time to make amends: all our latest campaign actions can be found at: http://www.jubileedebtcampaign.org.uk/act

CHRISTMAS CARDS

Don't forget you can now support Jubilee Debt Campaign through your Christmas or Seasonal greetings cards. Go to http://www.studio51.com and select Jubilee Debt Campaign as your charity - an impressive 51% of the price you pay will support our work, compared to the 10% or less on many charity Christmas card schemes.

GET MORE INVOLVED:
- Browse and order campaign materials: http://www.jubileedebtcampaign.org.uk/materials

- Become a Debt Activist: http://www.jubileedebtcampaign.org.uk/newsletter

- Registered your group, school or congregation: http://www.jubileedebtcampaign.org.uk/signup

- Join Jubilee Debt Campaign on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2219421440