Introduction

The World Development Movement (WDM) tackles the underlying causes of poverty. We lobby decision makers to change the policies that keep people poor. We research and promote positive alternatives. We work alongside people in the developing world who are standing up to injustice.

WDM tackles the underlying causes of poverty. We lobby decision makers to change the policies that keep people poor. We research and promote positive alternatives. We work alongside people in the developing world who are standing up to injustice.

The world has the wealth and means to end poverty. Yet nearly half of the world's population live on less than £1.40 a day. And over 11 million children will die from poverty-related illness this year alone.

Policies of governments and companies are keeping people poor. Policies that ensure global trade benefits the rich, not the poor.The three richest men in the world are wealthier than the 48 poorest countries combined. Policies that give increasing power to multinational companies. For every £1 of aid going into poor countries, multinationals take £1.50 of profits out.

The powerful are exploiting the poor to make bigger and bigger profits. Unless we challenge them, we are allowing this injustice to continue. In rich countries like Britain, decisions are made which can make or break the lives of the poor.

WDM campaigns against the root causes of poverty

We lobby decision-makers to stop policies that hurt the world’s poor. We research and develop new, positive policy options that support sustainable development.

WDM challenges the powerful

We mobilise consumers, shareholders and governments to hold multinational companies accountable for abuses of power. We are lobbying for reform of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). We support people in the developing world who are standing up to injustice.

WDM changes agendas

After years of campaigning, debt cancellation is now on the international agenda. WDM’s High Court victory over the Government stopped British aid budgets being used to support the arms trade instead of the poor.