Global Justice Campaigns

The only international law guaranteeing trafficked people protection was opened for signature over a year ago. To date, 30 countries have signed this vital law. But it remains unsigned by the UK Government. Take action

Last year, the UK government promised to stop forcing poor countries to open up their markets. But it supports two large international institutions, the IMF and World Bank, which continue to do just that. Drum home the trade justice message to the government this summer... join the campaign drumming petition.

Multinationals such as Nestlé, Unilever, Monsanto, Parmalat, Cargill and Wal-Mart have gained control of the global food chain - all the way from seed to supermarket shelf and are threatening the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of poor farmers and undermining their basic rights. Find out more about the campaign to stop coroporate abuse.

CAFOD is appealing for your help in raising £1 million to fight some of the most deeply rooted causes of poverty and hunger in Africa.

It is a bitter paradox that developing countries are the richest in natural resources like oil and precious metals, but are often those with the worst records on reducing poverty. CAFOD’s new campaign, launching in May, aims to ensure that poor communities benefit from the wealth that they are surrounded by, rather than being damaged by mining, oil and gas drilling.

Wealthy individuals and transnational corporations profit from tax havens and low-tax regimes while ordinary people and small businesses bear the cost for vital services like transport, healthcare, water and electricity.

Ireland contributes a higher percentage of its budget to international aid than the UK but has recently backtracked on a commitment to reach the UN target of 0.7%. Time for the Irish people to let Bertie Ahern know what they think.

Is Peter Mandelson doing a good job as European Commissioner for Trade? Which comes first in international trade policy - business or people and the environment? Write to the Commissioner to give your views.

The Commission for Africa Report contains many recommendations which recognise issues raised by global justice campaigners but which the government may hold back from supporting. Gordon Brown was on the Commission so there is no excuse - but write to Tony Blair to seek real commitment.

Five easy steps to persuading your local store to stock fairtrade chocolate - and have some fun.

Haiti is in trouble and the UK government is unwilling to enter into bilateral aid agreements. The actions of multilateral institutions such as the World Bank are not helping poor people in Haiti to rebuild their lives. You can write to the Department for International Development.

One of Gordon Brown's smart ideas is to revalue the IMF's gold reserves, a banking technicality which removes barriers to cancelling poor country debts. Brown is Chair of the IMF's governing body but so far he cannot get support for his proposal. You can help him.

Campaigning to ease the debt burden on poor countries does work. The UK government has taken positive steps in recent years which previously seemed impossible. 2005 is the year to bring the other rich countries into line.

You pay over the odds for your sugar; you pay tax to subsidise European producers whilst African sugar beet farmers don't stand a chance. Happy? Make your voice heard otherwise British Sugar will do all the talking.

750 million poor people could be at risk from a new trade deal the EU is trying to push on 77 former colonies. Lobby trade minister Patricia Hewitt, says Christian Aid.

Add your voice to the millions of others calling for change in 2005. Here are three ways you can get involved with the Make Poverty History campaign.

Unfair trade rules rob poor countries of £1.3 bn a day – 14 times what they get in aid. Join the UK’s biggest ballot to end poverty - call on Tony Blair to make trade fair. Vote for Trade Justice is supported by more than 50 UK organisations in the Trade Justice Movement, including CAFOD, Christian Aid, Oxfam and Friends of the Earth.

A Tale of Two Cities animation contrasts the lives of the people who use computers in the UK with those who make them in Mexico. Computers have revolutionised the way Britain works and lives, while electronics workers in developing countries cope with unsafe factory conditions, compulsory overtime, paltry wages and degrading treatment. Clean up your computer.