GCAP’s ‘STAND UP and SPEAK OUT” actions on October 17th, 2007 come two days ahead of the World Bank and IMF’s Annual meetings from October 19-21, 2007 in Washington DC. These meetings will bring together political leaders and senior Bank and Fund officials from 184 countries to discuss development and international finance issues. This is a crucial opportunity for GCAP to use the voices and actions of the millions who will Stand Up and Speak Out on October 16/17 to call for urgent reform of the IFIs.

In 2007, the World Bank and the IMF had new directors. Despite calls from civil society and some governments for a democratic process, the Bank has once again appointed an American to this position and the Fund appointed a European. The message will be ‘Hear Us’ as we call on the Bank, Fund and political representatives to hear the call from civil society for reform.

See also IFIs - GCAP demands

Download

• The policy guidelines for IFIs  

• The Role of the IFIs in Supporting Decent Work and Countering the Risks of Financial Globalisation - Statement by Global Unions  to the 2007 Annual Meetings of the IMF and World Bank (Washington, 20-22 October 2007)

Activities the World Bank and IMF’s Annual meetings 2007 in Washington DC

19^th October

• What: Press conference
• When: 9:00am (tbc)
• Where: Press centre
• Details: Following the photo call at the Avatars, GCAP will host a press conference in the press centre with speakers including Ana Agostino, Marivic Raquiza and others. The press conference will focus on the growing social movement calling for an end to poverty and inequality and the specific demands on the Bank and Fund.

19–22 October

• What: Photo exhibition
• Where: TBC
• Details: Photos of activities that have taken place around the world in 2007 and 2006 will be displayed to make politicians and officials aware of the growing civil society movement.

19-21 October

• What: Lobby meetings
• Details: GCAP representatives will meet officials and political representatives in one to one or small lobby meetings to represent the voices of people from around the world who cannot be present.

20^th October

• What: Mass rally
• When: 12:30pm – 2:30pm
• Where: Route around Washington finishing in Murrow Park
• Details: Many organisation including 50 years in enough are organising a mass rally culminating in a people’s tribunal on Murrow Park. GCAP will decide if we want to be associated with this rally

21 October

• What: Poverty Requiem
• Where: Lawn outside the World Bank (tbc)
• Details: A multi-ethnic choir, percussion and dance group will perform the Poverty Requiem outside the World Bank. Dignitaries will be invited and GCAP representatives will speak.

21^st October

• What: Avatars
• When: 8am – 2pm (tbc)
• Where: Lawn outside the World Bank (tbc)
• Details: More than 100 life-size cardboard cut out people will be placed for a photo on the lawn outside the World Bank. A press call will be held at 8:30am (tbc) with GCAP spokespersons.
  

See also

• National delegations to political decision makers

• The Independent People's Tribunal on the World Bank in India, on 21-24 September at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi