As the first decade of the 21st century draws to an end, CAAT thanks all its wonderful supporters and extends best wishes for the coming year and decade. In 2010 we will continue to confront the destructive arms industry and work towards a peaceful and productive world.
Read on to find out more...
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Contents:
There are lots of practical ways you can support CAAT now and in the year ahead.
CAAT's UKTI: Armed & Dangerous campaign will hot up in the new year, with a focus on parliamentary candidates in the lead-up to the general election.
The campaign aims to end government department UK Trade & Investment's use of taxpayers' money to help arms companies sell weapons. Through its Defence & Security Organisation (UKTI DSO), UKTI has promoted weapons sales to countries with appalling human rights records and pressing development needs. Instead of proliferating weapons around the globe, our money would be better spent on tackling real security threats such as climate change – a move that would also create new jobs and boost the economy.
In the months ahead we want parliamentary candidates to acknowledge UKTI DSO as an unsafe structure which should be dismantled. Join us in a new year of campaigning to issue our demolition order to government.
What you can do
We've been talking to Democracy Club - an exciting new volunteer-run project set up to help us all learn more in the run up to the next general election. They need volunteers to gather information on their local candidates and election campaigns, to make the next election the "most transparent ever". All the information collected will be made publicly available and it's exactly the sort of information CAAT will need to make our campaigning more effective. If you'd like to help this initiative, you can read more at the Democracy Club website.
In 2010 we have lots of activities for supporters. Highlights include:
24 February - Universities Day of Action - Co-ordinate your campus anti-arms trade actions with other student groups all over the UK. For more information and to find out more on the Universities Network Gathering on 6 March, email us.
27 March - CAAT regional gathering in York - Catch up on our Armed & Dangerous campaign and learn how get the message on the arms trade to parliamentary candidates.
24 April - CAAT regional gathering in Bristol - Learn more about the UK government's
support for arms exports, and how to make your message media savvy.
For more information about both regional gatherings, email
Rhiannon
or ring 020 7281 0297 (preferably on Thursdays).
19-27 June - STOP Week - Celebrate summer by organising something special for CAAT's week of protest against the arms trade.