Step by Step Guide to a successful divestment campaign
This section focusses on how you can get involved to break the ties your university holds with the arms trade through shareholding. We've put together a suggested framework for action so that you can better coordinate and focus your campaigning. CAAT thrives from your active participation, however, so you should feel free to use the campaign resources we provide as you feel best.
Step One: research and information. A successful campaign depends on reliable and up-to-date information.
Have you written to the Freedom of Information officer, requesting information
on what shares your university holds in arms companies?
Yes See next question
No Find a template letter
here
Have you checked if there are any groups at your university actively campaigning?
Yes See next question
No Check for on-campus campaign groups
here
Have you checked the previous shareholding data for your university?
Yes See next question
No Check the 2006 shareholding data
here
Step Two: organise and act! You should now have up-to-date information on your university's shareholding in arms companies. If you've been unable to get this information, don't worry - this is a campaigning issue also!
Has the Freedom of Information officer replied to your request for information?
Yes See next question
No Make it known that your university is withholding this information.
You could write an article for your student newspaper, distribute
flyers
and generally inform as many other people of the situation as possible in order that they write
letters also and back the demands for this information to be made known.
Does your university hold shares in arms companies?
Yes Write to the Director of Finance expressing your concern over this
and why divestment would be in the university's best interests - find a template letter
here.
Publicise it! You might distribute
flyers
, write an article for your student paper, set up a campaign stall or speak to a Student Union representative.
This would be to gain general support for a move towards divestment - your university is only likely to
consider divestment if it knows a large number of students and staff are opposed to arms company shareholding.
No See next question.
Has your university adopted an ethical investment policy?
Yes Be proud that your university is one of a select few!
No/don't know Write a letter to the university freedom of information officer or
Director of Finance, asking for clarification as to whether such a policy has been adopted or is being considered.
Find a template letter
here.
Contact your Student Union to encourage it to adopt a motion for this.