From Fiji to Fulham: Creating a world free from poverty

5.51.19pm GMT Fri 25th Feb 2005

Andrew Dakers and Alan Bullion at Polish Federation, Hammersmith

Yesterday evening (Thursday 24th February) local Liberal Democrat prospective MPs Alan Bullion and Andrew Dakers gave a Cook's Tour of the world at the Polish Centre, Hammersmith, from an environmental and international development perspective. Topics covered in the talk 'From Fiji to Fulham' included aid, trade, agriculture, debt, justice for the poor, the tsunami and the impact of global warming.

Andrew Dakers, Lib Dem prospective MP for Brentford & Isleworth, spoke on his work in Uganda, where AIDS/HIV is having a devastating impact, and Fiji, where the sugar industry is under threat. Alan Bullion, prospective MP for Hammersmith & Fulham, related his experiences in Sri Lanka, where although the tsunami affected people of all communities, the necessary aid is still not getting through to many in the north and east.

At the end of the talk, Alan and Andrew explained how the global could be linked up with the local by combating climate change, using public transport, recycling waste and energy-saving devices. Alan gave the example of Chelsea Football Club, which has recently installed heaters in its prestigious West Stand, which will literally raise the temperature in the stadium.

Andrew commented:

"A world of inequality and deprivation is less secure and more prone to conflict. This is why a Liberal Democrat government would ensure the UK spends 0.7% of gross national income (GNI) on overseas aid by 2011 at the latest to help achieve the 2015 UN Millennium Development Goals. This is two years earlier than the current Government."