06 July 2005

On Expectations

Caroline Sande-Mukulira, head of ActionAid’s Southern African Partnership Programme:
"From Ethiopia to Edinburgh people are expecting the G8 to deliver justice for Africa. Never before has the summit been scrutinised so closely by so many. The world’s richest countries must end policies that undermine African efforts to develop – they must stop making poverty and start making poverty history.

"ActionAid’s Jo’burg to G8 bus has travelled across Africa collecting messages from thousands of people for G8 leaders. Together with campaigners in more than 70 countries, they are demanding concrete action to tackle Africa’s problems. This means: $50 billion more in aid now, without harmful economic strings attached. It also means 100% debt cancellation, trade justice and action to deliver AIDS drugs."

On Africa and corruption
Amanda Sserumunga, director, ActionAid Uganda:
"Africa is changing. We are no longer willing to accept corruption. African people, social movements and civil society are speaking out and holding governments to account. But without strong, sustained support from the G8, this progress will be jeopardised. Previous summits have not delivered on our demands. Gleneagles must be different.

"Aid can help to tackle corruption. In Uganda, local organisations are training children in how to monitor their teachers to make sure that money is spent on books and classrooms, rather than lining the pockets of officials."

On Aid
Romilly Greenhill, policy analyst, ActionAid UK:
"Despite recent high profile announcements on new aid deals, there is little new money on the table, and if you check the small print, it still comes with damaging strings attached. Three quarters of the recent increase in US aid had already been committed and 70% is tied to the purchase of American goods and services.

"ActionAid’s research shows two thirds of G8 aid is ‘phantom’ – it benefits the rich rather than the poor. All too often, aid is tied to products from the donor country, badly co-ordinated, or spent on over-priced and ineffective consultants. G8 countries give only 0.07% of their income in real aid - only one tenth of the UN target level of 0.7% that they signed up to 35 years ago. The US and France are the worst offenders."

On Debt
Steve Tibbett, head of policy and campaigns, ActionAid UK:
"Progress has been made on debt but will only benefit less than a third of the 60-plus countries facing crippling debt repayments. Poor countries are being forced to privatise essential services such as water and open up their fragile markets in return for debt relief."

On Trade
Adriano Campolina Soares, ActionAid’s Americas Director:
"The G8 are using trade agreements to bully African governments into accepting a free trade blueprint that serves G8 interests at the expense of poor people. This must stop. It is vital that poor countries decide their own trade policies.

"George Bush has said he will end US farm subsidies if the EU does the same. This could be a golden opportunity to improve the lives of millions of African families who rely on farming. European leaders at the G8 should call Bush’s bluff.

"All G8 countries must control their multinationals - directors should be held legally responsible for the social and environmental impacts of their companies overseas."

On HIV & AIDS
Simon Wright, head of HIV and AIDS campaign, ActionAid UK:
"The death and incapacity caused by the HIV crisis is, perhaps, the most persuasive argument for action on aid, debt and trade. G7 Finance Ministers supported an ambition to enable all those who need life saving treatment to be receiving it by 2010. After rumours that the US was insisting on dropping the AIDS treatment target from the final communiqué, it is reported to be back in. However a target not backed by sufficient aid increases would be meaningless."

On Climate Change
John Samuel, ActionAid’s Asia regional director:
"Poor people are on the frontline, from flooding in Bangladesh to drought in Southern Africa the most vulnerable communities are hit hardest by environmental degradation. Affirmative action by the G8 on climate change is a pre-requisite to ending poverty in the long-term. They can delay no longer. The G8 must face up to their responsibility and take urgent action."