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Original poster

Bicnod's going to the G8 for you lot - come and post your thoughts, questions, ideas

116 replies

Bicnod · 13/06/2013 14:07

Right, so I'm off to the G8 Summit on Sunday representing YOU LOT as part of the IF Campaign. This is a Very Scary Thing.

Original thread here - I was chosen because I am extremely clever and interesting, and not just because Justine picked my name out of a hat

I'll be there as part of the IF@G8 bloggers project - see here for mugshots - I'm the one at the bottom hugging a random child. I'm slightly unnerved by the blogging prowess of the others

The main point of the IF campaign is that there is enough food in the world for everyone, but not everyone has enough food. One in eight people go to bed hungry every night and over three million children die each year through malnutrition.

I think we're all agreed that this is not on.

IF the G8 leaders act now to increase aid, clamp down on tax dodgers, support small scale farmers and stop land grabs, then 2013 could be the beginning of the end for global hunger. More info on all the ishoos here

So what do you lot think? What do you want me to say to the G8 leaders if I get the chance? Are we still interested in biscuits or have we moved on? I can't remember if we ever got an answer from DC on that point.

Any opinions, questions, stories, general musings welcome.

I love MN by the way - I've been here since 2008. I first posted (different username) while on a work trip to Ethiopia. I found out I was pregnant with DS1 on the day I flew and needed some reassurance - I got it and have been here ever since.

I want to do you all proud so please pile in.

:)

OP posts:
PennieLane · 14/06/2013 09:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Salbertina · 14/06/2013 09:47

Oh and agree re transparency being key objective. Corruption derails much aid effort. Keeping it local as far as possible also helps. Working with NGOs with local, frontline links so mother tongue communication and much lower overheads. Need to link to local/national gov tho (however corrupt) as access to distribution channels plus often provide crucial subsidies without which much activity would not be sustainable.

Salbertina · 14/06/2013 09:42

Have PMed you, Bicnod! Good luck!

johnworf · 14/06/2013 09:38

Ask David Cameron why he isn't doing more about wealth inequality and in particular, those at the bottom being more and more less well off and driven into poverty. My suggestion is that large companies in UK should all put 5% of their net profit into a social fund for those who are struggling.

And well done Bicnod. Wish you luck and send hugs. Smile

MmeLindor · 14/06/2013 09:29

Bookmarking to come back and reply properly when I have time

LackaDAISYcal · 13/06/2013 23:21

Nothing to add for you to raise as a global issue as I sadly know absolutely diddly squat about politics and even less about World politics, but wanted to wish you a very big MN best. You will be fine, I'm sure!

Oh, at a local level, why is it so difficult for supermarkets and food retailers tom give their surplus stock to charities? and if they can't give it away why are they so against people helping themselves to the stuff that is thrown away?

Surely an organisation set up to collate and distribute the "on it's date" stuff would make a huge difference to the World's hungry?

or is that incredibly naive? As I said, I don't really know enough about politics, to m,y shame Blush

Original poster
Bicnod · 13/06/2013 21:31

X-posts BerylStreep

One of the other bloggers, Jack Monroe, wrote very eloquently about violent protest a couple of days ago - see here

OP posts:
Original poster
Bicnod · 13/06/2013 21:24

Right, screamy DS2 finally asleep - I think he knows my mind is elsewhere [frazzled emoticon]

And breathe.

Thanks for the good luck :) I'll need it in spades

@RowanMumsnet - the core G8 member states and representative leaders are:

UK - PM David Cameron
USA - President Barack Obama
France - President Francoise Hollande
Germany - Chancellor Angela Merkel
Italy - PM Enrico Letta
Japan - PM Shinzo Abe
Canada - PM Stephen Harper
Russia - President Vladimir Putin

Here's a photo of them all arriving in Enniskillen for the Summit.

BTW a quick google image search reveals that Michelle Obama still wins on the arm front.

@liveotherwise - I was at the BigIF too :)

How can we be sure that aid reaches those who need it is a really good question

Transparency is one of the issues the IF Campaign is pushing the G8 for action on. They want governments and big companies to be more open and honest about the deals they make that impact on hunger - see here - but I don't think this quite answers your question.

I remember seeing a pretty good response on a Q&A recently so will have a dig around and see if I can find it.

@YoniMatopoeia - yes yes to something being done about tax havens. Have you seen this?

I'm very happy to shout loudly on behalf of MN and myself that the G8 need to clamp down on tax dodgers. I can't believe some of the stories I've read recently while in a state of panic that I know nothing where poor market traders in developing countries are paying MORE tax than big multinationals operating in the same town. Outrageous.

@taczilla - thanks for the tip Grin

OP posts:
BerylStreep · 13/06/2013 21:23

I think this is a great effort, but I really worry about it being overshadowed by violent protests rather than getting message across.

I know the event in Botanic Gardens, Belfast is being billed as a faith based family event, but I certainly wouldn't be bringing my family anywhere near it. It's a shame.

taczilla · 13/06/2013 19:55

Nothing of importance to add but this is my home town and it is very friendly and in a lovely part of the world. So my advice is make sure you visit Blakes pub and all will be well.
Have a really good time.

YoniMatopoeia · 13/06/2013 19:16

Good luck bicnod. I don't have anything specific to add to the IF campaign, though I love the idea of something being done about tax havens.

MNHQ
RowanMumsnet · 13/06/2013 18:33

@liveotherwise

I wrote about that meeting but can't remember whether I'm allowed to link to my blogpost here or not? Doh.

We've checked and you're a lovely paid-up MN Blogger so yes, do feel free!

liveotherwise · 13/06/2013 17:51

Hey there!

Fabulous stuff. Could you ask about transparency? How do we know that aid is actually going to the people it's supposed to help, and not just shuttling off into the pockets of corrupt officials, or companies who are doing their own thing. (This was brought up at the BigIF event by two campaigners from Tanzania and Congo, so I'm not just being paranoid and all that, though I can do that too ;) )

I wrote about that meeting but can't remember whether I'm allowed to link to my blogpost here or not? Doh.

Jax

MNHQ
RowanMumsnet · 13/06/2013 17:35

Thanks Bicnod for doing this!

IIRC most of the questions when I did the G20 were about Michelle Obama's arms

So - can you give us a rundown of which leaders are attending and what their spouses' arms are like

BIWI · 13/06/2013 16:53

Nothing specific at the moment comes into my head, but I wanted to say bloody well done for being prepared to do this, and really good luck. I'm sure you'll do a brilliant job!

Solo · 13/06/2013 16:52

Erm...good luck!

My small contribution to the IF campaign at Dd's school was to say that if every human in the country/western world gave just 1 penny, then there would be a lot of money to help the cause. I guess a £ each would be even better.