G8 Research Group

A press conference this morning by activists as part of Make Poverty History’s “At the Table” campaign called for significant action at this year’s G8 Summit. Dorothy Ngoma, Executive Director of the National Organization of Nurses, Midwives, admonished G8 leaders for failing to protect the lives of women, who often die needlessly due to poor maternal health from bleeding during pregnancy, self-abortions, infections, HIV/AIDS, and obstructed livers. The majority of women who are dying are from developing countries. Ngoma encouraged the G8 to consider the voices of these women, and to be accountable to 2005 Gleneagles promises to put $50 billion dollars on the table. So far, only $30 billion has been accounted for.

Teresa Healy of the  Canadian Labour Congress noted that although 33 million people are living with HIV/AIDS, there is no concrete plan of action yet to assist them. The international labour movement has engaged a strong campaign, and 10 000 people have signed a petition by the Canadian Union of Public Union in support of this issue. Healy called for a new order of global governance with an emphasis on human rights.

Kim Cartensen of WWF emphasized that the issue of climate change is not just an environmental issue, but a developmental one. Communities on small islands will be strongly affected by climate change. People living in vulnerable living conditions in developing countries will be subject to more droughts and flooding if climate change continues to occur. Cartensen noted that although the G8 has pledged to keep temperature increases below 2 degrees, their plan for action only limits the increase to between 3 to 4 degrees. Cartensen urged G8 leaders to work now to avert this situation, and to also support the poor directly to adapt to ongoing climate change effects.

Lisa John of GCAP noted that although the G8 has provided development aid, it has done so thus far in a self-serving manner. Most of the money has gone towards technical initiatives and scholarships that often come back to G8 countries through education institutions and programs. Although the UN Secretary General announced that worldwide education targests have been reach, this achievement cannot be attributed to the efforts of the G8.

Finally, Soren Ambrose of Action Aid discussed his hopes for the adoption of the Robin Hood tax. Ambrose noted that money from the tax could support the climate finance budget, meeting of the MDGs, the food and financial crises, domestic purposes, and towards the Global Fund.

German Chancellor Merkel and French President Sarkozy have pushed Robin Hood tax to be put on the Canadian G8 agenda. EU President Barroso has supported also supported the tax.

On a final note during the question period related to the relationship between civil society and the Canadian government, Lisa Jon expressed concern that the separation between civil society and international media may set a precedent for summits that follow.