Campaigning together for change

What is happening now?

UK activists to meet Deputy Prime Minister

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Secretary of State for International Development Andrew Mitchell will meet some of the tens of thousands of campaigners who have taken action for the Millennium Development Goals at a special Bond event on 15 September.

This will take place days before they leave for the UN Millennium Development Goals Review Summit from 20-22 September.

For more details please contact Bond MDGs Advocacy Officer Leo Williams (lwilliams@bond.org.uk).

Stand Up and Make a Noise for the MDGs

On 17-19 September 2010, millions of people will Stand Up and Take Action to demand that heads of state deliver breakthrough plans at the Millennium Development Goals Review Summit the following week.

People will join rallies, sign petitions, attend public meetings and participate in special events.

In particular on 18 September people will "Make a Noise for the MDGs" - resulting in a worldwide cacophony making us vocal and impossible to ignore.

Get involved in Stand Up and Make a Noise

Stand Up Screenings

To coincide with Stand Up and Take Action (http://charityemail.org.uk/t/3F8-7XDZ-A443Q-3BTUS-0/c.aspxa grassroots film festival with a difference will launch in London.

Any individual, community group or NGO can visit www.goodscreenings.com/mdg
to find a film to show and be part of it. Four screenings are scheduled already, at the Frontline Club near Paddington, London, beginning on 17 September.

Organise or attend a screening

Debt update: New resources for campaigners

Jubilee Debt Campaign has produced a new report entitled Fuelling Injustice looking at the impact of debt generated by Western governments and institutions on injustice, instability and poor governance across the Muslim world.

Another new resource, Getting into Debt, covers everything you ever wanted to know about Third World Debt but were too afraid to ask. Designed for students, it works for everyone.

Materials are also available for the new End Britain's Dodgy Deals campaign calling for an overhaul of UK export credits.

Please contact Jonathan Stevenson for paper copies of the above, including campaign postcards to distribute with your publications.

TUC Update: Iraqi Trade Unions under attack

The Iraqi trade union movement is calling on peopleof the UK to write to the Foreign Secretary William Hague, requesting that he pressures the Government of Iraq to respect trade unions.

In the past month, the Iraqi police have raided and shut down trade unions across the electricity sector, following a order from the Ministy of Electruicity authorising the police, "to close all trade union offices and bases and to take control of unions' assets properties and documents, furniture and computers."

For more information please see TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber's letter to William Hague

Climate Update: Mass local lobby

On 5-6 November, supporters of Stop Climate Chaos, the UK's largest coalition calling for action on climate change, will be holding the first Climate Lobby of the new Parliament. Thousands of people from up and down the country will join in a constituency-based lobby, to tell their MPs that they must deliver strong climate policies in the UK, and push for significant progress towards a fair, ambitious and binding global climate deal at the United Nations climate change talks.

Get involved

European Development Days 2010

On 6-7 December 2010, the European Development Days (EDD) will take place in Brussels, where questions and issues about international development cooperation will be debated. Thousands of development actors from both governments and civil society will participate to exchange information and ideas about the role of the EU and European governments in international development.

Bond members wishing to attend the European Development Days with two Southern Partner organisations are eligible for funding from a DFID grant managed by Bond of up to £5,000 to cover costs of participation.

To find out more, contact the Bond Europe team

Trade Justice Update: New EU trade strategy under development

The EU is developing its new trade strategy and has timetabled a communication for 16 October. This is in the context of the EU's 2020 strategic framework, signed off by the Council in March and currently under discussion by the European Parliament.

The review is an opportunity to influence the next ten years of EU trade policy, covering for example bilateral agreements like EPAs, the role of the EU in the WTO, and the EU's position on investment and services.

Freedom Bill promises greater space to campaign

Bond is working with members to repeal legislation that removes the right to campaign. This follows the announcement from the coalition government that a new Bill addressing some of these issues will be published in the autumn.

Please contact Tim Gee on tgee@bond.org.uk or 020 7520 0253 with case studies of when the law has got in the way of you campaigning as effectively as possible.

Training Opportunities with Bond

Places are filling up on the Bond 2010-2011 training programme which includes eight courses specifically designed for NGO staff involved in advocacy and campaigning.

The programme includes a new course entitled Introduction to e-campaigning, alongside popular longstanding courses including Introduction to Advocacy, UK Corridors of Power and EU Corridors of Power.

Book your place on Bond advocacy courses now

Campaigning Effectiveness update: new resources online

A new publication entitled Power and Social Change has been produced by NCVO as part of the Campaigning Effectiveness programme of which Bond is a partner.

The programme has also produced a website for activists to run campaigns on called Louder.

You can also check the Bond website for a short 'how to' guide for advocacy and campaigning

Contact us for more information on campaigns