snapshot
- G20 leaders must provide additional resources to help poor countries handle the financial crisis, but not let these solutions become part of the problem. This means that conditions and monitoring mechanisms which stifle poor countries' growth or increase their indebtedness must not be attached to these resources.
- Ensure that re-structured international financial institutions are representative of the world's poor. Poor countries must have a greater voice and representation in international financial institutions in order to ensure greater equity.
- Not use the economic crisis caused by rich countries as an excuse to renege on their aid commitments to poor countries, which are already bearing the brunt of the financial crisis. OECD member countries of the G-20 must re-affirm their previous commitments to allocate 0.7% of their gross national income for development assistance and establish transparent, time-bound calendars for the disbursement of these funds.
- Honor their pledges for a moratorium on protectionism made at the G-20 summit held in Washington on November 15, 2008 and develop structures for effective monitoring and supervision to prevent further protectionism.
about G20
On the 2 April 2009, a group of world leaders and central bank governors from 20 countries: 19 of the world's largest national economies, plus the European Union will gather in London to address the global financial crisis. The new group will look at ways of streamlining the global financial system, strengthening the system of regulation in developing countries and finding new private and public resources to prevent further crises. The Following countries are represented:
- Argentina
- Australia
- Brazil
- Canada
- China
- France
- Germany
- India
- Indonesia
- Italy
- Japan
- Mexico
- Russia
- Saudi Arabia
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Turkey
- United Kingdom
- United States The 20th member is the European Union, which is represented by the rotating Council presidency and the European Central Bank.
policy documents
- UN MILLENNIUM CAMPAIGN RESPONSE TO THE G 20 COMMUNIQUE
- UN Millennium Campaign Press Release G20 Response
- AS ECONOMIC CRISIS THREATENS TO REDUCE DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE BY AT LEAST $4.5 BILLION AND PUSH MORE THAN 50 MILLION MORE PEOPLE INTO POVERTY, UN MILLENNIUM CAMPAIGN URGES WORLD LEADERS TO PRIORITIZE SOLUTIONS FOR THE POOR AT G-20 MEETING
- Policy Paper, by UN Millennium Campaign
- Global Financial Crisis: Implications for India’s Development, Presentation by Minar Pimple (Deputy Director, UN Millennium Campaign, Asia)
- MDG FRAMEWORK 2.0, Speech by Eveline Herfkens
take action
THE LONDON MARCH
On 28 March 2009 thousands of people will march through London as part of a global campaign to challenge the G20 to put people first.
Be one of them.
The march will start on Victoria Embankment and move past Trafalgar Square and Green Park to Hyde Park, where there will be a mass rally. More details of the assembly point here.
Even before the banking collapse, the world suffered poverty, inequality and the threat of climate chaos. The world has followed a financial model that has created an economy fuelled by ever-increasing debt, both financial and environmental.
Click on putpeoplefirst.org.uk, to tell the world you’ll be coming.
- Other marches:
- Germany Spain
- Madrid - 18:00 h. at Paseo del Prado (next to the Thyssen Museum)
- Barcelona - 17:30h. at Plaça Universitat
- Sevilla - 12:00h Sede del Parlamento de Andalucía
- Granada - 19:00h, Plaza del Carmen
- Cádiz - 12:00h, frente al Ayuntamiento
- Murcia - 18:30h., Plaza de la Cruz Roja
- Las Palmas de Gran Canaria - 11:00h. Plaza Alfredo Kraus
- Albacete - 19:00h.,Plaza del Altozano
videos
links
Resources on the G20
- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon commits to speak on behalf of the poor and voiceless at upcoming G20 Summit in London.
- Recommendations by the Commission of Experts of the President of the General Assembly on reforms of the international monetary and financial system
- World Bank
- UN Non-Governmental Laison Service
- Interactive Panel of the United Nations General Assembly on the Global Financial Crisis
- UN Conference on Trade and Development
Initiatives
- The Bretton Woods Project works as a networker, information-provider, media informant and watchdog to scrutinise and influence the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF).
- Casino Crash is an initiative of the Transnational Institute in Amsterdam, Netherlands and the Institute of Policy Studies in Washington DC, USA. The aim of the blog is to provide a space for critical analysis of the financial crisis
- The Center for Global Development is an independent, nonprofit policy research organization that is dedicated to reducing global poverty and inequality and to making globalization work for the poor.
- Choike is a portal dedicated to improving the visibility of the work done by NGOs and social movements from the South. This section of the site covers economic and financial issues.
- G20Voice is part of an ongoing project that gives you the chance to participate, engage and influence leaders from governments, the business world, international institutions and other influential people at important global moments and events via the blogosphere.
- The Institute for Policy Studies turns ideas into action for peace, justice and the environment by strengthening social movements with independent research, visionary thinking, and links to the grassroots, scholars and elected officials.
- Rethinking finance is a website of several international civil society organisations and individuals that contribute to its content, keeping it a place of lively debate and up to date information.
- Jubilee Debt Campaign is demanding an end to the scandal of poor countries paying money to the rich world.
- Oxfam UK
- Global Call to Action Against Poverty

