Jubilee 2000: Beyond the Millennium Year – what happens next?

As the 31 December deadline set by the Jubilee 2000 UK Coalition approaches, and with it the end of the campaign in its current form, staff working at the Jubilee 200 London office have announced plans for future UK-based campaigning.

The Jubilee 2000 campaign was founded in 1996 with the specific goal of 100% cancellation of the unpayable debts of the poorest countries in the year 2000. The short-life nature of the campaign and its focus on the millennium year gave it urgency and energy, but, as Director Ann Pettifor has said "you can't turn a sprint into a marathon".

Supporters and staff have greeted the impending closure of the campaign with concern, knowing that the campaign's ultimate goal – to win 100% cancellation of the debts of the poorest countries – is far from won, and much work remains to be done. As the millennium year draws to a close, proposals for the future of campaigning on debt in the UK and elsewhere are being circulated by Director Ann Pettifor and Deputy Director Adrian Lovett.

In an Open Letter addressed to Jubilee 2000's coalition of supporters around the world, Ann Pettifor, one of the co-founders of the international campaign, unveiled her vision for the future of the international Jubilee 2000 movement. Ms Pettifor proposes the next phase of the long-term campaign should go forward under the banner of 'Jubilee Plus International.' Jubilee Plus would be hosted by the New Economics Foundation based in London.

In the letter Ms Pettifor makes clear that she does not believe that Jubilee 2000 has fully achieved its goal: the cancellation of the unpayable debts of the poorest countries. “We must continue to fight for the cancellation of these debts” says Ms Pettifor; but goes on to suggest that “it is now time to re-invent the campaign, and to re-focus our concentration on the root causes of debt... to prevent these crises from recurring”. In developing the proposal, Ms Pettifor has been working with Jubilee 2000's Head of the Africa Initiative, Mr Kwesi Owusu, Ms Liana Cisneros of Jubilee 2000 Latin America, and Mr Ed Mayo, chair of Jubilee 2000 UK and Director of the New Economics Foundation.

Meanwhile, Adrian Lovett, deputy director of Jubilee 2000, is investigating the viability of a short-term project 'Genoa 2001'. Working with existing Jubilee 2000 UK coalition members and international partners, this would be a focussed campaign to ensure a strong presence – and further debt cancellation – at the G7 Summit in Italy next July. Sdebitarsi, the Italian debt campaign, has made it clear they need major international co-ordination to put Genoa on the map. Mr Lovett says “The Italian government has indicated support for a new deal on debt in Genoa. If there is the chance of a real breakthrough leading up to the summit, then I think we have a responsibility to do all we can to make it happen.”

Ms Pettifor dismisses the suggestion that other organisations could take on the mantle of Jubilee 2000. “Jubilee 2000 has been distinctive in its inclusive appeal and approach. Unlike many others, we have not been afraid to tap the spiritual, ethical, political and cultural roots of our societies. Our radical analysis has been distinctive... and we have built up a record of competence and credibility in both the north and south – that distinguishes us from all other organisations”.

One thing is clear – that the end of the Millennium campaign will not see a lessening of pressure on the creditors, who despite the power of the global Jubilee 2000 movement, have so far agreed only to reduce the debts of the poorest countries, rather than wipe them off the books. Around the world, Jubilee 2000 partners are determined to carry on campaigning on debt beyond 2000, and in the UK, many member organisations of the Coalition (which includes aid agencies, unions and faith-based groups) have said they will continue to campaign on debt in the future.

A listserve has been set up for discussion of the future of the Jubilee 2000 movement – you can join at http://www.egroups.com/group/debt-future

• To join the debate about the future of debt campaigning in Scotland, click here