The people of the lesser developed countries have suffered so much. But there are those who try to change this sad situation. I give thanks to WDM and its work.
Archbishop Desmond TutuWelcome to WDM Manchester Group
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WDM Manchester. |
Welcome to the Manchester Group
We usually meet on the third Thursday of the month in central Manchester at the Methodist Central Building on Oldham Street or at the Friends’ Meeting House, Mount Street (behind the Central Library). We aim to start early (18.15) so members working in Central Manchester can get home after the meetings not too late. For details confirming arrangements, sign up to our webgroup or phone Stephen.
At our monthly meetings we:
v discuss campaigning opportunities and collaboration with other local groups
v agree and share out responsibilities
v discuss issues of development
v share stories we have read
v update each other on national campaigns
v sort out housekeeping issues.
DAVE PEARCE
At the beginning of 2009 we lost Dave Pearce who died after a lengthy period of deteriorating health. Only a few days before his death, Dave was in his sitting room discussing issues with us. As an indefatigable campaigner he came up with many initiatives, both for us as a group and amongst NGO coalition partners in Manchester. Dave was not afraid of burrowing away at massive websites and analysing documents and reports so that our campaigning had specific punch - as when he pinned Peter Mandelson after the master of spin had been talking to us for half an hour, or coming up with a simple campaigning idea such as the Make Poverty History barrier tape that became a national feature of campaigning in 2005- a project he conceived and promoted using his own funds and completely on his own.
Dave also acted as webmaster for www.jdc-manchester.org.uk and www.tjm-manchester.org.uk. These websites now remain as witnesses to what campaigners have done in Manchester. Currently they are NOT being updated.
CAMPAIGNING
We have a full programme: v We run stalls in the street, at markets, at events, and festivals gathering signatures and promoting awareness of development issues. v We lobby MPs and other politicians through meetings at their surgeries and by letter. v We go on local and national rallies and rallies
RECENT CAMPAIGNS AND ACTIONS
Since the adoption of Climate as WDM’s lead campaign we have worked with other NGO campaigners (especially Manchester Friends of the Earth) on strengthening the Climate Law with stalls in the street, direct lobbying of MPs and national demonstrations.
We have attended DFID consultations and were able to speak directly to Phil Woolas, then Climate Minister - we were even able to suggest he change a note he had written in his notebook! This led to a brief conversation when we met him in the street during the Labour Party Conference in Manchester.
Trade Justice
We have continued to campaign on Trade Justice, including promoting Fair Trade, and we recently hosted Mary Lou Malig from the Philippines who spoke on the “Great Trade Robbery”.
We continue to write to the press and to raise petition signatures in active support of the Jubilee Debt Campaign, so the issue doesn’t drop from the consciousness of our constituency MPs. As far as we know we in the local area consistently campaigning on this issue.
Water Wars Campaign
As part of the Water Wars campaign we collaborated with the Warrington group in a stunt with card signing by the fountains in the city centre.
PAST SUCCESSES
We’ve scored a number of successes in bringing MPs to support WDM causes. Notable examples include getting Clare Short to Vote for Trade Justice when we met her at MMU when she was giving the Ambedkar Memorial Lecture, and getting Hilary Benn and Hazel Blears to sign a message to the G8 in Germany.
Members keep frequent contact with their constituency MPs so much so that when we have stalls at markets and fairs visiting MPs have been known to come out of their way to talk to us and sign cards!
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WDM Manchester and Peter Mandelson. |
