WDM strives to be a truly democratic movement, with individual members, groups and our professional staff working together for global justice. Staff lead our campaigning, but in consultation with local groups, both directly and through our system of area representatives. Area reps cover specific regions and act as link between groups, staff and the council.
WDM's council approves and monitors all WDM's major policy positions and initiatives, and sets our long term plans and direction. Council members are responsible for:
The council of WDM consists of nine people voted for by WDM members, up to three representing local groups. In addition, up to three people may be co-opted to balance the council’s skills or diversity. Each council serves for a three year term, with elected members serving a maximum of two terms, or six consecutive years. The specific roles of chair, vice-chair, national secretary and treasurer (who make up the executive committee) are appointed by the council itself after elections.
The current council was elected into office in June 2012. The next election will be in 2015. The organisation's Annual General Meeting takes place in June each year and is its sovereign body.
WDM Council agreed Guiding Principles in 2012, to provide an overall framework for our strategy WDM plus 10, which was adopted in 2009. Our Guiding Principles address our vision, mission, goal, beliefs and aspirations.
Read our ten year vision statement that was pulled together through a movement wide consultation. This document provides the framework to help shape the movement's direction leading up to 2020.
World Development Movement is a company, World Development Movement Ltd (no. 209819) and a charity, World Development Movement Trust (registered charity number 1064066).
WDM Trust, the charity, was historically restricted in the amount of campaigning it could do by charity law. Following changes to charity law, WDM Trust is now largely unrestricted in the kind of campaigning it can do as long as it remains non-party political.
Individuals who support WDM Trust with a donation of £24 or more a year are eligible for membership of WDM Ltd. Members have voting rights on our constitution and in elections and are invited to attend the annual general meeting.
Donations to WDM Trust made by UK taxpayers are eligible for Gift Aid tax relief from Inland Revenue, meaning gifts to WDM Trust are worth 25% extra. These donations fund all aspects of our campaigns from report printing, staff costs and lobbying to public stunts and network building.
WDM is a movement of people who want to challenge the root causes of global poverty and injustice. Everyone who takes a campaign action, becomes a member, supports us with financially or joins a local group is helping us win justice for the world’s poorest people.