JUBILEE DEBT CAMPAIGN NEWS AND ACTION UPDATE
November 2007

In this issue:
LIBERIA'S IMF ARREARS FINALLY CLEARED
UK GOVERNMENT STALLING ON ILLEGITIMATE DEBT
WERE YOU PART OF THE BIRMINGHAM G8 HUMAN CHAIN IN 1998?
JUBILEE DEBT CAMPAIGN IS LOOKING FOR A NEW DIRECTOR
CHRISTMAS CARDS
GET MORE INVOLVED

LIBERIA'S IMF ARREARS FINALLY CLEARED

Many thanks to everyone who took our Liberia e-action earlier this
month. The good news is that after 18 months of stalling and
disagreement, the International Monetary Fund last week finally
agreed a deal to clear Liberia's $842m of arrears to the institution.
While this only means that Liberia can now begin the full debt
cancellation process - with all the harmful and undemocratic
conditions that often entails - this is nevertheless a massive boost
for the country as it tries to rebuild following civil war.

Sustained campaigner pressure was critical to this success - in a
statement the IMF acknowledged "all those who have expressed their
concerns about Liberia's debt situation. Their strong support to the
cause of debt relief contributed to the broad donor support that made
this financing possible."

Read the full story: http://www.jubileedebtcampaign.org.uk/arrears

UK GOVERNMENT STALLING ON ILLEGITIMATE DEBT

Thousands more Lift the Lid postcards and petitions are on their way
to the Government following Global Debt Week, and the Department for
International Development (DfID) has now formally responded to our
campaign - which calls for the UK to join Norway and Ecuador in
taking seriously the concept of illegitimate debt, and of responsible
future lending.

From the letters that many of you will have received from Baroness
Shriti Vadera or Kitty Usher via your MP, the Government is clearly
keen to be seen to follow through its existing promises on debt
cancellation. But it is not yet ready to admit that rich countries
have lent irresponsibly in the past, and that outstanding debt
injustices must be tackled. Continued campaigner pressure is vital -
establishing the principle of creditor responsibility for past
lending is likely to take time and patient argument, just like the
original campaign to get governments to consider cancelling unpayable
debts.

A detailed set of responses to the letter is now available from our
website. Please use it to respond to your MP, and keep up the
pressure to Lift the Lid on illegitimate debt:
http://www.jubileedebtcampaign.org.uk/lidresponse

WERE YOU PART OF THE BIRMINGHAM G8 HUMAN CHAIN IN 1998?

In May 2008 Jubilee Debt Campaign will be marking the tenth
anniversary of that momentous day when 70,000 people formed a human
chain in Birmingham, and forced the G8 to put developing world debt
on the agenda. This will include an exhibition in Birmingham Central
Library for which the Birmingham and West Midlands group is
collecting photographs and memories of the event.

If you were there your contribution would be greatly appreciated. It
can take the form of art work, prose, photograph or poem, and should
be no longer that one side of A4 (short quotes are also okay). Please
send it before the end of 2007. Those selected will be on display for
the whole month of May 2008. The group is not able to guarantee the
return of all materials but will endeavour to do so wherever
possible.

Send your contributions to: Audrey Miller, 4 Over Mill Drive, Selly
Park, Birmingham B29 7JL, tel 0121 471 4175 or email
jubileedebt@blueyonder.co.uk.

JUBILEE DEBT CAMPAIGN IS LOOKING FOR A NEW DIRECTOR

Jubilee Debt Campaign is recruiting a new Director. This is a vital,
demanding and rewarding role, requiring a deep understanding of the
issues and of global power structures, the ability to persuade and
enthuse people, and an understanding of governance and financial
administration. The closing date for applications is 9am on Monday 3
December.

Further details at: http://www.jubileedebtcampaign.org.uk/jobs

CHRISTMAS CARDS

A final reminder that you can support Jubilee Debt Campaign through
your Christmas or Seasonal greetings cards. If you buy your cards
through http://www.studio51.com <http://www.studio51.com/>
and select Jubilee Debt Campaign as your charity, a marvellous 51%
of the price you pay will support our work.

GET MORE INVOLVED: