Rip it up, write it off- drop third world debt campaign
Launched April 1999
Debt is one of the principal causes of continuing poverty in the Third World. Poverty kills, therefore debt kills. According to U.N. estimates back in 1999, cancellation of the debts of the world's poorest countries would have meant saving seven million lives that year. And, as the movement to cancel Third World debt grew, Customers Who Care was determined to play its part.
Jubilee 2000
In 1999, in a direct response to customer requests, the Bank became the 1st corporate member of the Jubilee 2000 Coalition, a global campaign to cancel the debts of the world's poorest countries. Thousands of Co-operative Bank customers joined the ranks of Jubilee 2000 supporters and the campaign was successful in cancelling millions in Third world debt.
By the end of the campaign, 24 million signatures had been gathered for the Jubilee 2000 petition, the first-ever global petition. There were Jubilee 2000 campaigns in more than 60 countries around the world. G7 leaders committed to writing off $100bn of poor country debts, and debt had been pushed on to the global political agenda.
Campaigning for change
In addition to our support for the Jubilee 2000 Coalition, our own Customers Who Care campaign helped to raise awareness and increase understanding of the debt crisis.
In partnership with Children's Express, a charity working to give young people a public voice on issues they care about, we took a group of young journalists to Tanzania, one of the world's most indebted countries, to shed new light on the issue. They reported back in their own compelling words, via press, TV and other media.
As well as campaigning with Christian Aid, Customers Who Care also worked with War on Want, and the World Development Movement.
You Voted, We Donated
As part of our campaign, we supported the following four charities working to cancel Third World debt. Our donations were divided according to the percentage of customer votes each received.
Causananochispaj:
Promotes sustainable farming practices in Bolivia- the poorest country in South America. Where the Government fails to provide support, this small but dedicated organisation provides people with the means to be able to live. Received £14,130
World Development Movement:
Has been campaigning on debt issues for over 10 years. As well as raising public awareness, WDM has been leading the way on policy alternatives to the current debt trap. Received £12,873
War on Want:
Campaigns against world poverty and was a founder member of the Jubilee 2000 coalition. War on Want supports the victims of debt across the world. Received £21,108
Uganda Debt Network:
Gives hope to thousands of ordinary Ugandans – victims of the debt burden. Based in Uganda, the Network is working to further the aims of the Jubilee 2000 coalition by achieving equality and justice for all. Received £9,889
Find out about the Bank's current campaign
