‘Robin Hood
Tax’ campaign launched
 More than fifty civil
society organisations including Oxfam, Comic Relief and the TUC are working
together as part of a global campaign for a Financial
Transactions Tax to raise funds to fight poverty and climate change.
A small tax of 0.05% on the trillions of dollars that change hands each
day, could raise £250 billion annually.
In the UK this is being called a
Robin Hood
Tax.
Sign your
organisation up to the campaign
Major step forward in battle to drop Haiti's debt
 Unprecedented campaigning following
the Haiti Earthquake, including a petition
signed by 400, 000 people has led the G7 to agree to push for the
cancellation of Haiti’s debt.
Campaigners are now working to ensure
that real debt cancellation (rather than restructuring)
takes place, and that it does not accompany the enforcement of similar
‘free market’ measures to those that impoverished the country before the
earthquake.
Latest
Updates
Make
the voices of the poor heard in the election
 The
collective
Vote Global
international
development campaign
website
will
go live in early
March.
Please
email details of
any election events,
actions
or blog posts for
inclusion to Bond Campaigns Communications Officer Tim Gee.
As part of campaigning
for the world's poor during the election, some NGOs will focus on marginal
seats, encouraging supporters to ask candidates what their party is doing about
climate change.
To find out more or get involved, contact Tearfund
Campaigns Officer Tom Baker.
Stop Vulture
Funds
 The Debt Relief
(Developing Countries) Bill will receive its second reading in Parliament on
26 February. If passed, this Bill would limit the ability of vulture
funds to use UK law to prey on the poorest countries in the
world.
In order for the bill to pass, 100 MPs must vote for the bill,
with no objections.
Invite your MP
to the second reading, and encourage your supporters to do so
Humanitarian space under threat
 The Conservative Party has announced proposals for
aid money to part finance a military ‘Stability and
Reconstruction Force’ in Afghanistan.
This has raised concerns
amongst NGOs, who fear this may lead to a diversion of aid from development
objectives and create obstacles for humanitarian agencies working on the
ground.
The UK Aid Network is holding a workshop on 25 February at
ActionAid UK offices to discuss these issues further.
Book your place
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Influence
the European position on the MDGs
 Bond is working with Concord to
develop a joint European position paper on the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs), ahead of the September UN MDG Review Summit.
This is a crucial point for applying pressure, as the EU joint position
is being developed in the next few months ahead of the May Foreign Affairs
Council meeting.
To 'shine a spotlight' on the summit itself, millions
around the world will Stand Up and Take Action on 17-19 September.
For
more information email Bond.
New campaigning targets in
Brussels
 A new team of 27 Commissioners has been
voted in by the European Parliament.
Former Development Commissioner Karel De
Gucht is now the Trade Commissioner - despite
disappointment from Trade Justice campaigners at his stated priorities. His
previous job will be taken forward by Andris
Piebalgs from Latvia.
Connie
Hedegaard - chair of the Copenhagen Climate negotiations - is the new
Commissioner for Climate Action and former World Bank Vice President Kristalina
Georgieva has taken over as Commisioner for Humanitarian Aid. This followed
the dramatic
withdrawal of the original candidate.
Find out more
about influencing the EU on the Brussels Study Visit
Changes to election law advice for campaigning charities
 Charities that campaign extensively
during the forthcoming election might have to
register with the Electoral Commission, even if they otherwise comply with
Charity Commission rules.
The warning comes in a revised version of the
Charities and
Elections guidance, released by the Charity Commission.
A special seminar will take place,
run by BWB LLP on
24 February,
5.30pm to help understand the implications of this.
Book your place
Campaigning Effectiveness Update
 A new set of
guidance notes on how to involve beneficiaries in campaigns will be
published in late 2010, as part of the Campaigning
Effectiveness Programme. A first draft will be scrutinised by attendees at a
special conference on 18 February – open to experienced campaigners.
Book your
place
The Inspiring
Supporter Action strand of the programme will also result in guidance notes,
as well as a brand new course (See below).
Upcoming advocacy and
campaigning training courses
 The high quality, competitively priced Bond training
courses are especially tailored for staff in organisations that challenge
poverty and climate change. If you have not attended the below courses, please
consider doing so, and if you have, please forward this newsletter on to your
colleagues.
Inspiring
Supporter Action – 23-24 February
Introduction
to Advocacy – 3 March
UK Corridors
of Power – 22-23 March
EU Corridors
of Power 29-30 April
Book your place
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