The South Lakeland World Development Movement (SLWDM) is a local branch of the World Development Movement. We aim to campaign for justice for the world’s poor.

The group recognises that rich countries, international institutions and big business knowingly make decisions that are leading to injustice and inequality on a massive scale. It does not have to be like this. We have both the wealth and the means to end poverty.

All international trade needs to be fairer. We need to campaign for Trade Justice. This call for Trade Justice has been one of South Lakeland World Development Movement’s key campaigns for the past few years.

Climate Change is real and is the greatest challenge facing humanity. Rich countries like the UK are responsible - it is our excessive carbon emissions that are driving it - but it is the poor countries that will bear the brunt of the impact. 160,000 people already die every year as a direct result of climate change and hundreds of millions face drought, floods, starvation, disease and death in the future. Yet despite all the recent pledges, the targets, the speeches, UK greenhouse gas emissions are actually rising.

Climate change will be our main campaign theme for 2009. Our other campaigns are:

• Climate Change. The WDM Climate Change Campaign is calling on the UK government to show the world what can be done. It must transform our economy to reduce our carbon emissions to sustainable levels, and transform the prospects for the developing world and for our children at the same time.
• Trade Justice. Making the global trading system work for the poor
• Supporting the national WDM’s Dirty Aid Dirty Water campaign, which draws attention to the large amounts of British aid money being paid to rich consultancy companies whose aim is to advise the governments of less developed countries to privatise their water supply.
• The promotion of Fairtrade goods.

Public meetings
Two or three times a year we organise presentations from high profile speakers on one of the campaign themes. All events are free and open to everyone. At each meeting we offer a ‘Beginners Guide’ to the issue and at the end a list of suggested action steps for us all to take away. Click here to download the latest newsletter with details of all upcoming events.

Members meetings
Also two or three times a year these meetings offer an opportunity for people to discuss campaign issues, write and sign letters and decide and plan actions. We often have member’s presentations on issues of interest. All are welcome.

Steering Group meetings
Every month a committed group of activists meet to plan the nitty gritty of how decisions made at the member’s meetings can be taken forward. If you are interested in joining this group please get in touch by contacting us below or simply turn up. We usually meet every third monday of the month at the Castle Street Centre in Kendal, but check the site first in case the venue or date changes.

Become a member
If you are interested in supporting the local group by becoming a member please contact any of the people listed below or download an application form here. All members receive a regular newsletter.

E-news
E-News is the email bulletin of the World Development Movement (WDM). Click here to sign up to receive regular news updates and campaign actions direct to your email inbox.

If you want to join the national World Development Movement please visit their website at www.wdm.org.uk

Contact us
wdm@south-lakeland-wdm.org.uk
Dave Cope (Secretary) 01539 729599
Maggie Mason (Chair) 01539 739119
Penny Ozanne (Treasurer)
Sonny Khan (Webmaster)