Put People First rally in London ahead of the G20 meeting

On 2 April, leaders of twenty of the world’s most powerful nations will meet in London for the G20 Summit.The G20 meetings will be a massive opportunity to build a future that works for the benefit of people everywhere, and where global warming isn’t ignored.

On 28 March, just a few days before the G20 meetings take place, you can join a crowd of thousands of people for a rally to call for progress on the big issues that affect all of the world’s people.

Unison health branch are organising coaches from Oxford to the London rally. Tickets are £10 waged/£8 unwaged and you can buy them online here. Alternatively organisers can arrange to meet someone with a cheque payable to Oxfordshire UNISON Health Branch. People are urged to buy tickets as soon as possible to avoid a last minute rush on seats where people might be disappointed. Coaches leave St. Giles, central oxford for London at 9am on 28th March.

Or if you’ve got your own means of transport, register to come to the Put People First rally in London

The G20 and what Oxfam is calling for

In many ways, the G20 is similar to the G8. There is, however, a key difference – size. More developing countries are included in the meetings, meaning the G20 is more representative than the G8, and the presence of Barack Obama at the London Summit has heightened the sense that the world now has an opportunity for genuine change. Here’s what must be at the top of the G20’s to-do list:

Tackle climate change
G20 nations must announce their commitment to a low-carbon future. And the economic crisis must not be used as an excuse for ignoring climate change. By investing in low-carbon jobs, and clean technology we can tackle both.

Keep your promises
Overseas aid money provides some of the world's poorest communities with vital medical treatment, and goes toward kitting-out schools with books and teaching equipment. Wealthy G20 nations must keep their existing promises to increase aid.
At the same time, the G20 must cancel all poor countries’ debts. Until this happens, huge sums of money that could be spent on health and education are being wasted servicing loans.

Further info and actions:
Put people first (External website)

Rally resources (External website)

Write to Gordon Brown: tell him to put poor people first at the G20