Support CEO's 15th anniversary conference on the EU crisis: it's time to reign in the power of corporations and financial markets
Corporate Europe Observatory needs to raise €5000 to invite civil society activists from across Europe and fund translation into key languages, for our 15th anniversary conference on May 5-6 2012.
We really need your donations, however big or small, to ensure that this conference succeeds in building a pan-European movement to challenge the EU’s flawed response to the economic crisis, and to reclaim democracy against the ever-growing power of corporations and the financial markets.
In 2012 it will be the 15th anniversary of Corporate Europe Observatory’s launch. We have come a long way in throwing light on the corporate capture of EU decision-making since 1997. In the last few years we have – together with a fast-growing number of allies – pushed for stronger transparency and ethics rules that help curb corporate influence. These campaigns have contributed to improvements such as the launch of an EU lobby transparency register, a stricter Code of Conduct for EU Commissioners, and the first-ever ethics code for MEPs, approved earlier this month.
There is a growing awareness of the harm done by corporate power, but the problems are far from being solved. Quite the contrary in fact.The European Commission has successfully ushered in sweeping new 'economic governance' powers to impose harsh austerity policies in response to the eurocrisis, alongside other reforms that have long been on the wish list of corporate lobby groups. While the political power of financial markets and big business lobbies has reached disastrous levels, democracy has been increasingly sidelined and social and environmental objectives downgraded.
This is why we have decided to mark our 15th anniversary with a major two-day conference in Brussels (May 5-6) with high-profile speakers on progressive responses to the crisis: alternatives that prioritise the interests of people and the environment. We want to bring together hundreds of civil society activists from across Europe to develop a common campaign to rein in the power of corporations and financial markets and start rebuilding genuine democracy.
If 100 people each give €50, we will be able to cover the travel costs to Brussels of civil society activists from every corner of the continent, including Eastern and Southern Europe. We will also be able to translate the conference into key languages so that everyone can participate on an equal basis. We can make this truly pan-European event happen and achieve our ambitious aims – but only with your support.
To donate go to http://www.corporateeurope.org/get-involved/donate
Thank you in advance for your support and for your contribution towards building a more progressive Europe.
The CEO team