Christian Aid Organises Campaigns for Trade Justice across the World

From 10th-16th April 2005 millions of people around the world will go out onto the streets demanding trade justice, and will stand in solidarity with the people being kept in poverty by unfair trade conditions. The protests will particularly be focused on ending economic liberalisation conditions imposed on loans and debt relief.

This Global Week of Action organised by Christian Aid, for a great part provides many events such as demonstrations, petitions to governments and institutions (the International Monetary Fund, World Bank and etc.), street theatres, seminars, conferences among many other things.

On Friday 15th April, Christian Aid will present a free programme of music and words by stars from the stage, screen and music industry from 10-11pm at Westminster Abbey. Stars such as Ronan Keating, Pete Postlethwaite, Vanessa Redgrave and others will be lending their support to this campaign.

The following key events will take place outside the UK:

On Sunday 10th April in Bangladesh: Mass rally in Dhaka
Focus point of this event: World Bank immunity

On Tuesday 12th April in Ghana: Chickens sent to the Ghanaian parliament
Focus point of this event: targeting parliament, IMF, World Bank and the Ministry of Trade and Industry

On Wednesday 13th April in the Philippines: Rice March in Quezon City and Manila
Focus point of this event: liberalisation of agriculture in the Philippines and increased protection for the staple rice crop.

On Thursday 14th April in Belgium: funeral procession in Brussels, the coffins will be filled with rice, tomatoes and other products that are affected by the current trading system.
Focus point of this event: how free trade is destroying communities

On Saturday 16th April in Kenya: an unfair football match between Mumias Football Club (Premier League) and a team of farmers.
Focus point of this event: crops affected by unfair international trade (sugar cane, maize plants, coffee and tea bushes)