Global Day of Action

Irish campaigners called on world leaders at the Davos summit to put poor people first with a protest outside the Central Bank in Dublin on Saturday.

Released by: Africa Centre, Comhlámh, Christian Aid Ireland, Debt and Development Coalition Ireland, Latin America Solidarity Centre, Oxfam Ireland and Trócaire.

Irish NGOs Call on Davos Leaders to Put Poor People First

Today, Irish development organisations and campaign groups called on worldleaders to put the interests of people living in poverty at the heart of global policy making.

Marking the annual World Economic Forum being held this week in Davos Switzerland, campaigners staged a protest in front of the Central Bank in Dublin's city centre to highlight the effect of damaging global economic policies on people in the developing world.

"Powerful global actors are meeting in Davos. They have the power to take decisions that will end the exploitation of poor countries. The global economy has been structured to benefit rich countries and companies at the expense of the poor. We need to see a radical shift in the policies being pursued by these powerful governments and corporations," said Nina Sachau, Policy and Campaigns Officer, Comhlámh.

Today's protest is part of a Global Day of Action to mark the annual World Social Forum, which brings together environmental and social justice campaigners and activists from around the world. The World Social Forum is this year being marked by more than 430 events and protests in 85 countries across the globe highlighting the impact of profit driven globalisation on the poor coinciding with the World Economic Forum.

"Ireland plays a significant role in shaping global agreements which often favour business at the expense of ordinary people," said Dr. David McNair, Policy and Advocacy Officer for ChristianAid Ireland. "Trade agreements, such as the European Union-led Economic Partnership Agreements open up developing country markets without regard to the negative impact on jobs, livelihoods or public services," continued Mr.McNair.

Campaigners also criticised the Irish Government's support for international financial institutions which impose policies on poor countries and deepen poverty.

"Ireland is undermining the sovereignty of impoverished countries bysupporting the World Bank's practice of imposing economic policy conditions on poor countries. These economic policy recommendations have often had disastrous effects on impoverished countries around the world. Ireland should insist that the World Bank cease this outrageous practice immediately," said Nessa Ní Chasaide of Debt andDevelopment Coalition Ireland.

http://www.wsf2008.net/