CAATnews Oct/Nov 2005 - News

Clean Investment in our Universities?

On 24th October, CAAT will publish new figures for arms company shares held by scores of the UK's universities.

Jo Wittams and Tim Street, both volunteering for a day a week in the CAAT office, have made the new launch possible through obtaining the shareholding figures and establishing where there is concern within universities about the investments. They have changed the university campaign from one that had relatively little shareholding information, and could do little more than respond to enquiries, to a campaign where we have nearly full information on present shareholding figures and can proactively support academics and students in calling for ethical investment.

Freedom of Information Act
The Clean Investment campaign has, more than any other aspect of CAAT's work to date, reaped the benefits of the Freedom of Information Act. Prior to the Act coming into effect at the start of this year, most universities did not respond to our enquiries. As a result we put together shareholding details from limited information available at Companies House and from the few responses from universities willing to provide the information (either of their own accord or following student campaigns).

Now public institutions have to respond to requests for information. But, of course, life isn't quite as simple as that makes it sound. While many universities were quick to provide the information, some were still coming to terms with the Act and took some time - and some persuasion - to respond. More disappointingly, a number of universities and colleges refused to disclose the information citing exemptions provided for in the Act. As a result, Jo has spent a vast amount of time explaining our information request, asking for internal reviews of refusals and appealing to the information commissioner where these were not successful. Eight months of databasing, letter-writing and emailing has brought the required responses from nearly all of the 200 universities and colleges.

Identifying university campaigners
Students at a number of universities are working on Clean Investment campaigns, some having submitted their own Freedom of Information Act requests as part of this. However, the great majority of universities have no active ethical investment campaign and so Tim has been working to identify individuals and groups that might be willing to use the new shareholding figures to challenge their university over its investments. A number of these potential contacts have responded positively already but there are plenty of universities that are not covered. If you can help, even with just one letter or email, or by pointing us towards others who might be willing to work on this, please get in touch.

What you can do
Look at CAAT's Universities campaign from 24th October or, if you would like to start campaigning in advance of the launch, get in touch with universities(at)caat·org·uk or universities(at)caat·org·uk now.

The website will give the shareholdings of universities and colleges along with background information to the campaign and an action guide. Though there will be many more ideas and options on the website, the essential, simple request is for students, staff and alumni to write to the bursar or finance director

• expressing your concern at hearing about the reported investments
   
• asking if the information is still correct
   
• asking if they have any plans to sell their arms company shares.
   

And please tell us what you find out.

Day of action: Call the Shots

Saturday 26th November
As part of the ongoing Call the Shots campaign, CAAT is calling a UK-wide day of action on 26th November to lock the "revolving door" between the Government and the arms industry. This insidious phenomenon gives arms companies immense influence over government decision-making.

Please join others around the UK on 26th November in taking action locally to lock the revolving door. Simultaneous actions all over the UK could generate thousands of petition signatures and postcards to MPs, as well as raising the profile of your group and the campaign in your area. Ideas could include stunts, stalls or street theatre.

Can you organise an action in your area? CAAT can provide materials and can help with ideas, publicity and using your local media. Contact CAAT's Outreach Co-ordinator.

www.calltheshots.org