If you are having problems reading this mail, try the online version. Please forward this bulletin to anyone you think would like to be involved in our campaigns. If you do not wish to receive future bulletins or wish to update your email address, you can do so using the links at the end of the email you were sent.
Please note: our Freepost address is now: CAAT, FREEPOST, LON 4296, London N4 3BR
What an exciting month this is turning out to be. The Conservatives have announced they want more support for the arms industry and the Serious Fraud Office has moved to prosecute BAE. CAAT's National Gathering on 31 October will provide the latest info and set the scene for an important year of campaigning in the run up to the election.
Read on to find out more...
Contents:
CAAT's National Gathering is coming up shortly and we are working hard to make it our best gathering yet. We have lined up great speakers, including Andrew Feinstein, South Africa's Mr Clean, who blew the whistle on BAE arms deals, Paul Dunne, an economist working on military issues, and Greenpeace campaigner Louise Hutchins. In addition, there are interesting and involving workshops and the opportunity to meet other CAAT supporters.
The National Gathering takes place on Saturday, 31 October at Toynbee Studios in London's East End and is easily accessible by public transport. All for a modest contribution of £5 for waged and £2 for unwaged participants.
Places are still available but workshops are filling up fast. Please reserve your place now, to help us with planning and catering needs.Find out more and book now online.
The theme is "Planning and Sharing" and that's exactly what we will be doing at the 2009 University Network Gathering. Student activists and university staff will be sharing ideas and experiences and building links with other activists to make our campaigns even stronger.
The University Network Gathering will be held at SOAS, London University on Sunday 1 November. The event is free but spaces are limited, so book now by emailing the Universities Network Co-ordinator.
Full details of the programme and the venue can be found on CAAT's University Wiki.
By the way, read about an imaginative anti-arms trade action by General Whitewash and his rebel clown army from Edinburgh Uni, on the CAAT blog.
Welcome news! The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has taken the first steps that could see BAE in court. This time it's not Saudi Arabia but allegations of corruption and false accounting around arms sales in four countries - Czech Republic, Romania, South Africa and Tanzania.
We know what happened last time (Tony Blair stepped in to stop the investigation going ahead) but this time we are hopeful that a prosecution will proceed. We are monitoring the situation and whatever the outcome it will be big news in the media. See our press release for the full story. For further information on BAE, visit our BAE web pages.
Meanwhile, our spoof BAE ads are proving to be a great success. You can see BAE's original ads in cash-strapped newspapers, on billboards and taxi livery. You can see our spoof ads on CAAT website. Why not spread it round to friends and colleagues so they can learn the truth and have a good laugh.
The Conservative Party's Shadow Defence Secretary, Liam Fox, made a speech in September where he promised that a Conservative government would increase government support for arms exports. In fact, the Government already gives very generous and completely unwarranted support to arms exports. Apart from the moral arguments against the arms trade, government subsidies are a huge waste of taxpayers' money.
We believe that there is still time to change Conservative policy on this issue, and with a general election next year, it's important to put pressure on all the political parties. We are urging supporters to write to David Cameron, Leader of the Conservative Party, explaining why this is a bad policy and urging the Conservative Party not to adopt it.
Read more and take action now!
Those of you who subscribe to CAATnews should have received the latest edition by now. Inside you will find a copy of our Supporter Survey.
Please take a few minutes to answer our questions and return the survey to CAAT. The answers you give will help to shape a picture of our supporters, who you are and how we can best serve your needs. But the accuracy of this picture will depend on you returning the surveys to CAAT in good time. The answers you give will be anonymous and will not be used for any other purpose.
CAAT's volunteers are invaluable to its work. Without them, we simply couldn't cover the range of activities we do. Now we have an opportunity for two volunteers to work with our Local Campaigns and Fundraising Co-ordinators. The volunteer Universities Network Coordinator will communicate with student activists around the UK, providing them with information and support as needed. We are looking for someone keen on campaigning and with knowledge of university activism. Our volunteer Fundraising Assistant will support our fundraising in various ways and learn valuable fundraising and admin skills.
Both posts are for one day a week. You can read job descriptions and further information on our website.
The festive season draws ever closer and this year CAAT's new greetings card is a real cracker. Designed by CAAT supporter Sally Brooks, the 'Green Tree' is a beautiful, seasonal image. Last year's card the 'Thoughtful Dove' is also available to buy. By purchasing the cards you are helping both to raise valuable funds and get CAAT's message out to the wide world. Cards come in packs of ten, with the Green Tree cards at £4.50 a pack and the Thoughtful Dove at £3.50 a pack, plus 50p per pack postage.
To view and order cards visit our website.
This email was sent to you by Campaign Against Arms Trade at your request. You can change your preferences or unsubscribe using the link at the bottom of this page.
Campaign Against Arms Trade is working for the reduction and ultimate abolition of the international arms trade, together with progressive demilitarisation within arms-producing countries.