The People versus the Banks: Programme

12.30pm REGISTRATION OPENS

Stalls including Housmans bookshop with a wide selection of titles. Plus pick up WDM reports, briefings and campaigns material, and find out how to join a local group and get involved.

Even if you pre-registered online, please ensure you arrive by 1pm so we can get everyone in and start on time.

1.30pm-2.45pm OPENING KEYNOTE

Bankocracy: How Britain is run for the banks, by the banks
Aditya Chakrabortty on how and why the financial services industry has so much power, and how their interests have dominated responses to the European financial crisis at the expense of the needs of European populations.
Respondent: Yiorgos Vassalos of Corporate Europe Observatory

2.45pm-4pm WORKSHOPS

Stop the sell off
From land grabs to carbon trading, investment banks, hedge funds and pension funds are increasingly  seeking to make a profit from the basic resources of life. This process has been called ‘financialisation’. Why is it happening, and what can we do about it?
With Hannah Griffiths, WDM’s head of campaigns and policy, and Nicholas Hildyard of The Cornerhouse

Unmasking the financial sector lobbyists
The City of London exerts tremendous influence on the UK government, while an army of lobbyists keep the interests of banks safe in Brussels. This workshop will examine how we tackle the lobbying power of the financial sector.
With Yiorgos Vassalos of Corporate Europe Observatory

Creative campaigning
Campaigning creatively can be a great way of making actions more interesting, engaging new people and getting a message across more effectively. Whether you’re an experienced campaigner or brand new to it, this session we look at exciting ways to make campaigning more creative, from street theatre to subvertising.
With Katharine Talbot, co-ordinator of WDM’s local groups network

Chile’s revolt against neoliberalism
In 2011, students and school students took to the streets of Chile in huge numbers to demand free and state-run higher education. Chile’s privately-run universities are just one part of an overwhelmingly neoliberal system, and the protests found a wide echo across the country. Chilean filmmaker Roberto Navarrete will show footage from his forthcoming film about the revolt and answer questions.

4pm-4.20pm BREAK

4.20pm-5.30pm WORKSHOPS

The co-operative economy and global justice
2012 is the International Year of Co-operatives. But how do co-operatives help in tackling poverty and inequality in both the global south and the UK? How do worker, consumer and producer co-operatives work? And are financial co-operatives and credit unions a viable people’s alternative to corporate banks?
Ed Mayo, general secretary of Co-operatives UK, in conversation with WDM director Deborah Doane

Beating the bankers on food speculation
For two years WDM has been campaigning to regulate destructive speculation on food commodities which is making staple foods unaffordable for poor people around the world. EU legislation is now on the table but how effective it is hangs in the balance. How can you help make sure we win this crucial campaign?
Campaign update and activity planning with Heidi Chow, WDM food and finance campaigner

Debt, the banks and financial justice
Fifteen years ago the Jubilee movement campaigned to wipe out the burden of unjust debts in the global south. Though some debts were cancelled, the financial system which drives debt is less accountable and more reckless than ever. Debt is at the centre of today’s financial crisis. This workshop will examine how campaigners in the both the global north and south today are challenging the tyranny of debt.
With Nick Dearden, director of Jubilee Debt Campaign

Organising for change: roundtable discussion
Come to this session to meet campaigners from UK Uncut and Pay Up, Stop the Arms Fair, Boycott Workfare and WDM local groups. Together we will look at the challenges of different ways of organising locally and campaigning for change, as well as ideas we can build on to make our local campaigning more effective and engaging.

5.30pm-6pm CLOSING SESSION

End the afternoon with next steps and reflections, facilitated by Hannah Griffiths, WDM’s head of campaigns.

If you haven't already pre-registered, you can do so on our website.