<div class="gmail_quote"><div style="word-wrap:break-word"><div class="gmail_quote"><div class="gmail_quote"><div style="word-wrap:break-word"><div class="gmail_quote"><div style="word-wrap:break-word"><div class="gmail_quote">
<div style="word-wrap:break-word"><div class="gmail_quote"><div style="word-wrap:break-word"><div><span style="color:rgb(231,40,34);font-family:Times;font-size:21px;font-weight:bold">WDM IN SHEFFIELD E-NEWS – JAN. / FEB. 2013</span></div>
<div><font face="Times"><b><br></b></font></div><div><font face="Times"><b>Hi everyone, Happy New Year! </b></font></div><div><font face="Times"><b><br>And we, too, have made a New Year's resolution. After several hectic but productive recent years of campaigning on multiple issues at a time, during which various pressures of life have been increasingly competing for our energies, we have agreed to set ourselves saner targets. So… w</b></font><font face="Times"><b>e are going to do fewer things better, in a more focused way, with even greater enthusiasm! </b></font></div>
<div><font face="Times"><b><br></b></font></div><div><b style="font-family:Times">And with this in mind, this e-news will cover two months, with an enews update if necessary.</b></div><div><b style="font-family:Times"><br>
</b></div><div><font face="Times"><b>If you would to be a bit more involved or reinvolved this year, whether this is helping out on a stall once, sharing a few ideas or a bit more, then let us know. </b></font></div><div>
<br></div><div><br></div><div><font color="#a2c75f" face="Times"><span style="font-size:21px"><b>WDM</b></span></font></div><div><font face="Times"><b><br></b></font></div><div><font face="Times"><b>As most of you know, WDM (World Development Movement) is a campaigning organisation for justice for the world's poor and people before profit, and you can find out more about us on the website below. Hope to see you somewhere soon.</b></font></div>
<div><font face="Times"><b><br></b></font></div><div><b style="font-family:Times">Website: <a href="http://www.wdm.org.uk/sheffield" target="_blank">www.wdm.org.uk/sheffield</a></b></div><div><font face="Times"><b>Phone: 07800 666553 </b></font></div>
<div><div><font face="Times"><b><br></b></font></div><div><br></div><p style="margin:0px 0px 12px"><font face="Times" size="6" style="font-family:Times;font-size:21px"><b><font color="#a2c75f">WDM EVENTS</font></b></font></p>
<div><div style="font-family:Times"><div style="display:inline!important"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-weight:bold;font-family:Helvetica"><b style="font-family:Times"><font color="#ff2600">Wed. 20th Feb.</font>, film, </b><font face="Times">"Growing Change: a </font></span><b>journey inside Venezuela’s food revolution",</b> 7–9pm, Quaker Meeting House, James' Street, Sheffield (just along from the Anglican Cathedral, Church Street): For</div>
all those people who couldn't get to the showing in November, or only found out afterwards from others how good it was, we now have a date for a second showing. <div style="display:inline!important">A one-hour film followed by discussion, including the opportunity to ask your own questions. </div>
Free. All welcome.</div><div><div style="display:inline!important"><font face="Times"><br></font></div></div><div><div style="display:inline!important"><font face="Times">The film takes us through a new food system as it's being constructed almost from scratch. We meet farmers who are gaining access to land for the first time and working in co-operatives to break the country's reliance on imports. It's all part of a country-wide process towards 'food sovereignty', driven both by communities and by the government, to improve social justice and sustainability. </font></div>
</div><div><div style="display:inline!important"><font face="Times"><br></font></div></div><div><div style="display:inline!important"><font face="Times">Highly commended by those who saw it the first time. Food sovereignty is an ongoing WDM campaign, alongside our campaign to stop bankers betting on and distorting global food prices, and we are very interested in the ways it may connect with the thriving local food-growing scene.</font></div>
</div><div><div style="display:inline!important"><font face="Times"><br></font></div></div><div><div style="display:inline!important"><font face="Times">For more info on the film see </font></div><font face="Times"><a href="http://www.simoncunich.com.au/">http://www.simoncunich.com.au/</a></font></div>
<div><div style="display:inline!important"><font face="Times"><br></font></div></div><span lang="EN-GB"><b style="font-family:Times"><font color="#ff2600">Mon. 25th Feb. to Sun. 10th Mar.</font>, Fairtrade Fortnight: </b><span style="font-family:Times">we are looking into the possibility of organising a one-day neighbourhood event in the Pitsmoor area. In particular, we are hoping to make links with at least some of its many religious, ethnic and other communities, and with local food growers and sellers. We would also be interested to know about good possible places to put on a Fairtrade display, or indoor market, or other community event.</span></span></div>
<div><font face="Times"><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family:Times">If you have any connections with any of these, and/or suggestions about the best ways to put word out in the Pitsmoor area – local newsletters, group meetings or events, etc. – we would be delighted to hear from you. </span><span style="font-family:Times"> </span><b style="font-family:Times"><i>Please get in touch with Ruth on: 07800-666 553.</i></b></div>
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</b></font></div><div><font color="#a2c75f" face="Times" size="6" style="color:rgb(162,199,95);font-family:Times;font-size:21px"><b>MEETINGS</b></font><span style="font-family:Times"> </span><span style="font-family:Times"> </span></div>
<div><span style="font-family:Times"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_quote"><div><b style="font-family:Times"><font color="#ff2600">Thurs. 7th Feb.</font>, </b><u style="font-family:Times"><b>Campaigning meeting</b></u><b style="font-family:Times">, </b><span style="font-family:Times">7–9pm at Central United Reformed Church. </span><span style="font-family:Times"> </span></div>
<div><span style="font-family:Times"><br></span></div><div style="word-wrap:break-word"><b style="font-family:Times"><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">Mon. 11th Feb.</span>, </b><a href="http://wp.me/PPV0V-2Z" target="_blank" style="font-family:Times"><b>Pub Meeting</b></a><b style="font-family:Times">, </b><span style="font-family:Times">8-10pm at the Red Deer, Pitt Street (off Mappin Street, off West Street). </span><span style="font-family:Times">Our monthly get-together to </span><span style="font-family:Times">talk about campaign issues, share ideas and make plans and welcome newcomers, along with a pint or a coffee. Feel free to just drop in for half an hour or an hour – whatever suits you.</span><span style="font-family:Times"> </span><span style="font-family:Times"> </span></div>
<div><span style="font-family:Times"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_quote"><b style="font-family:Times"><font color="#ff2600">Thurs. 7th Mar.</font>, </b><u style="font-family:Times"><b>Campaigning meeting</b></u><b style="font-family:Times">, </b><span style="font-family:Times">7–9pm at Central United Reformed Church. </span><span style="font-family:Times"> </span></div>
<div><br></div><b style="font-family:Times"><span style="color:rgb(255,0,0)">Mon. 11th Mar.</span>, </b><a href="http://wp.me/PPV0V-2Z" target="_blank" style="font-family:Times"><b>Pub Meeting</b></a><b style="font-family:Times">, </b><span style="font-family:Times">8-10pm at the Red Deer, Pitt Street (off Mappin Street, off West Street).</span></div>
</div></div></div><span style="font-family:Times"></span><div><br></div><div><div class="gmail_quote"><div style="word-wrap:break-word"><div><p style="margin:0px 0px 12px"><b style="color:rgb(162,199,95);font-family:Times;font-size:21px"><br>
</b></p><div><b style="font-family:Times;font-size:21px"><font color="#a2c75f">EVENTS ORGANISED BY OTHER GROUPS</font></b><span style="font-family:Times"> </span><span style="font-family:Times"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family:Times"><br>
</span></div><div><b style="font-family:Times"><font color="#ff2600">Mon. 28th Jan.</font>, </b><span style="font-family:Times">Quaker Meeting House:</span><span style="font-family:Times"> <b> </b></span></div><div><b style="font-family:Times"><br>
</b></div><div><font face="Times">6.30–7.45pm, <b>Occupy Sheffield's monthly meeting.</b></font><b style="font-family:Times"> </b><span style="font-family:Times">For details, see: </span><u style="font-family:Times"><font color="#0433ff"><a href="https://occupysheffield.org/" target="_blank">https://occupysheffield.org</a></font></u></div>
<div><span style="font-family:Times"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Times">7.45–9.00pm,</span><span style="font-family:Times"> </span><b style="font-family:Times">Positive Money </b><b style="font-family:Times">Sheffield</b><b style="font-family:Times">'s monthly meeting. </b><span style="font-family:Times">For details, see:</span><font face="Times"> <u><font color="#0433ff"><a href="http://positivemoneysheffield.pbworks.com/" target="_blank">http://positivemoneysheffield.pbworks.com/</a> </font></u> </font></div>
<div><span style="font-family:Times"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_quote"><b style="font-family:Times"><font color="#ff2600">Wed. 6th Feb.</font>, </b><font face="Times"><b>Sheffield Equality Group:</b> 7pm at Sheffield Quaker Meeting House. <span style="color:rgb(34,34,34)">This month an informal presentation and discussion about Universalism: will the removal of universal benefits damage how people perceive social support, and make further cuts to social support more likely? </span></font><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:Times">Also on the agenda: Living Wage and the Fairness Commission.</span><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:Times"> </span><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:Times"> </span></div>
<div class="gmail_quote"><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:Times"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_quote"><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:Times">The group is an autonomous group affiliated to the national Equality Trust and meets on the first Wednesday of every month. All welcome.</span><span style="font-family:Times"> </span><span style="font-family:Times"> Contact details:</span><font face="Times"> w<span style="color:rgb(34,34,34)">eb: </span><a href="http://sheffieldequality.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)">http://sheffieldequality.wordpress.com/</a> , t<span style="color:rgb(34,34,34)">el: 07956 384142, F</span><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34)">acebook: </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=160354332203" target="_blank" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)">http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=160354332203</a></font></div>
<div><span style="font-family:Times"><br></span></div><div class="gmail_quote"><b style="font-family:Times"><font color="#ff2600">Sat. 2nd Mar.</font>, Open Forum on Debt: </b><span style="font-family:Times">10am–3pm, Quaker Meeting House, Sheffield, an <b>Occupy Sheffield</b> event, as </span><font face="Times"><span style="line-height:18px">part of a series (2–4 a year) on Inequality in Sheffield - A Tale of Two Cities. </span></font><font face="Times"><span style="line-height:18px">There will be three themes, each with its own discussion group: </span><span style="line-height:14px">Inequality in Sheffield (over arching theme), personal debt, and alternatives to banking / Positive Money. </span></font></div>
<div class="gmail_quote"><font face="Times"><span style="line-height:14px"><br></span></font></div><p style="margin:0px 0px 12px"><font face="Times"><span style="line-height:14px">Further details in the flyer due out soon, and on </span></font><span style="font-family:Times;line-height:14px">the group's website: </span><u style="font-family:Times"><font color="#0433ff"><a href="https://occupysheffield.org/" target="_blank">https://occupysheffield.org</a></font></u><span style="font-family:Times"> For enquiries, email:</span><span style="line-height:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Times"> </span><font color="#0433ff" style="font-family:Times"><a href="mailto:info@occupysheffield.org.uk" target="_blank" style="vertical-align:baseline;line-height:18px;margin:0px;outline:0px;border:0px;padding:0px">info@occupysheffield.org.uk</a><span style="line-height:18px"> </span></font></p>
<p style="margin:0px 0px 12px"><b style="color:rgb(162,199,95);font-family:Times;font-size:21px"><br></b></p><p style="margin:0px 0px 12px"><b style="color:rgb(162,199,95);font-family:Times;font-size:21px">ACTIONS </b></p>
</div><div><div style="margin:0px"><p style="margin:0px 0px 13px"></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="Times"><font color="#ff2600"><b></b></font></font></p><p style="margin:0px 0px 13px;display:inline!important">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="display:inline!important"><font face="Times"><font color="#ff2600" style="font-weight:bold">Food Speculation: targeting George Osborne: </font><font> if you haven't already done so, </font>please go to: </font></p>
<font face="Times"><u style="color:rgb(4,51,255)"><a href="http://www.wdm.org.uk/action/food-speculation-petition" target="_blank">http://www.wdm.org.uk/action/food-speculation-petition</a></u>, watch and pass on the video, and sign the petition, to keep up the pressure on the UK government (see "Campaign and events feedback" below).</font></div>
<div style="margin:0px"><font face="Times"><br></font></div><div style="margin:0px"><div style="vertical-align:baseline;line-height:16px;font:inherit;margin:0px;border:0px;padding:0px 0px 12px"><font face="Times"><b><font color="#ff2600">Aid – </font></b></font><font face="Times"><b style="color:rgb(255,38,0)">Help us stop big business cashing in on aid: </b>please go to: </font><u style="color:rgb(4,51,255);font-family:Times"><a href="http://www.wdm.org.uk/action/mp-aid-inquiry" target="_blank">http://www.wdm.org.uk/action/mp-aid-inquiry</a></u><span style="font-family:Times"> and send the customised template letter – slig</span><font face="Times">htly different according to which MP it goes to – to your own MP and help us stop big business cashing in on aid.</font></div>
<div><div style="margin:0px"><font face="Times" style="line-height:16px"><b>Over the past decade, the UK government has increasingly put the interests of <span style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">big </span><span style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">business</span> at the heart of its aid policy.</b> The result is that the power structures that <span style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline">keep people in poverty</span> are now even stronger. </font><span style="line-height:16px;font-family:Times">While aid is vital (and the government must not go back on its commitments to</span><span style="line-height:16px;font-family:Times"> </span><span style="line-height:16px;font-family:Times">fund it) to be really effective it must be used to bring about social justice and</span><span style="line-height:16px;font-family:Times"> </span><span style="line-height:16px;font-family:Times">equity for the poorest people.</span></div>
</div><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div style="vertical-align:baseline;font:inherit;margin:0px 0px 0pt;border:0px;padding:0px 0px 12px"><span style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;font:inherit;vertical-align:baseline"><font face="Times">Aid is not, and should never be, a business opportunity. </font></span><span style="font-family:Times"><b>An independent parliamentary inquiry into this worrying trend is urgently needed</b> - should the Kelvin coal power plant in South Africa really be benefiting from UK aid funding, for example? </span><span style="font-family:Times">Please write to your MP now, </span><span style="font-family:Times">if you haven't already done so</span><span style="font-family:Times">.</span></div>
<div><div class="gmail_quote"><div style="word-wrap:break-word"><br></div></div></div><div style="vertical-align:baseline;line-height:16px;color:rgb(77,77,79);font:inherit;margin:0px 0px 0pt;border:0px;padding:0px 0px 12px">
<span style="color:rgb(162,199,95);font-family:Times;font-size:21px;font-weight:bold">CAMPAIGN & EVENTS FEEDBACK</span></div><div style="vertical-align:baseline;font-family:inherit;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;margin:0px 0px 0pt;border:0px none;padding:0px 0px 12px">
<font><span style="font-family:Times"><font color="#ff2600" style="font-weight:bold">Food speculation campaign:</font><font style="font-weight:bold"><font color="#ff2600"> </font> </font><font>The aim is </font><font>to get the European Union to agree effective regulation to stop financial investors from continuing to gamble on world food commodity prices and thereby helping to cause the wild spikes and crashes we have seen in recent years – and which are so damaging to lives and economies in food importing (the spikes) and exporting (the crashes) developing countries. Sheffield WDM have been playing our part by lobbying Linda McAvan MEP and by writing to all the Yorkshire and Humber MEPs.</font></span></font></div>
<div style="vertical-align:baseline;font-family:inherit;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;margin:0px 0px 0pt;border:0px none;padding:0px 0px 12px"><span style="font-family:Times;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;line-height:inherit">The "position limits" we have been calling for are narrow limits on the amount of financial speculation any given investment bank, etc., can engage in, so that the bulk of food-price related trading is the normal, comparatively steady buying and selling of actual food supplies rather than just the 'paper' contracts. "MiFID" is the relevant set of EU directives.</span></div>
<div style="vertical-align:baseline;font-family:inherit;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;margin:0px 0px 0pt;border:0px none;padding:0px 0px 12px"><span style="font-family:Times;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;line-height:inherit">National WDM writes: </span><span style="font-family:Times;font-variant:inherit;line-height:inherit">"The European parliament [has now] voted to include mandatory position limits in MiFID which is an achievement as there was a real fight to even get these included. There are some loopholes in the text but the number of UK MEPs who supported the amendments to close these down was really impressive and this was due to the lobbying efforts of WDM groups. </span></div>
<div style="vertical-align:baseline;font-family:inherit;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;margin:0px 0px 0pt;border:0px none;padding:0px 0px 12px"><span style="font-family:Times;font-variant:inherit;line-height:inherit">"Just last month we heard that Barclays were considering withdrawing from food speculation which is a significant step forward for the campaign and shows the impact we are having". </span></div>
<div style="vertical-align:baseline;font-family:inherit;font-style:inherit;font-variant:inherit;line-height:inherit;font-stretch:inherit;margin:0px 0px 0pt;border:0px none;padding:0px 0px 12px"><span style="font-family:Times;font-variant:inherit;line-height:inherit">From Oliver and Ruth</span></div>
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