Alternative Capitalism anyone.... Find out about Just Change

Laura Kent · Indymedia Hound

Stan ‘the man’ and his lovely wife Mari wrote this article about Just Change (an alternative capitalism which takes it a lot further than Fair Trade). Very fitting during Fair Trade Fortnight!

Is in guardian today!

http://society.guardian.co.uk/print/0,,329428613-105909,00.html

Stan and Mari led the course I attended in India (Development From The Inside) which was truly one of the most inspiring experiences I’ve had to date. There were speakers from all areas of development; environment, gender, human rights, caste, street children, housing, health, education and the most amazing thing was these NGOs were all GRASSROOTS organisations…in other words, real people making a real difference in their community.

Whenever you think one person can’t make a difference just think of all these ordinary (but motivated and driven) people who are trying to make our world a better place.

If anyone wants further information about the Just Change movement then let me know as I have some other documents I can send you, or alternatively I can try and explain it myself!!

If anyone is interested I will be travelling down to London on Sun 26th March to meet with Stan, Mari and a group of Adavasis who are doing a tour of the UK promoting the Just Change ideology and trying to get it off the ground in this country.

I am VERY interested in getting a birmingham group up and running so would love for some people to attend this event with me. if interested contact me and i'll send u more details!!
_________________
Smile and the world's a better place....
We need people to keep thinking that we CAN make a difference and the world WILL be a better place.

steven · Black Bloc

I'd be interested to hear more, purely because I think the article doesn't give a very clear explanation of what's actually going on, and following the links doesn't seem to do much in terms of getting any more info.

Steven

Oktober · Black Bloc

Most definatly, the article didn't seem to really tel us at all how this is different to just Fairtrade.

Laura Kent · Indymedia Hound

It's different to fair trade in that the consumer is allowed to choose a price which they think is fair to the producer and to them. (although this had proved to be seen as quite an alien concept to people in this country!)
with fair trade the product is often unnecessarily expensive, with the profits still staying with the company. this makes fair trade inaccessable to people in britain with a low income.
just change is about joining poor communities to collectively make a chance through a cooperative in which a company doesnt retain all the profits and both sides - producers and consumers can win.
xx
_________________
Smile and the world's a better place....
We need people to keep thinking that we CAN make a difference and the world WILL be a better place.

steven · Black Bloc

Although I don't have the energy or money to go all the way down to London on the 26th just on the basis of this thread, it sounds interesting so it'd be good if you could post again after your meeting with them - it sounds like the kind of thing that a lot of people on here would support.

Laura Kent · Indymedia Hound

definitely no problem. thanks for showing interest! x
_________________
Smile and the world's a better place....
We need people to keep thinking that we CAN make a difference and the world WILL be a better place.

Laura Kent · Indymedia Hound

Dear All,

I have just got back from a very exciting and eventful few days in London.
I've retunred full of enthusiasm, energy, determination and ummm 800 tea bags...!
(all to be explained)
I would like to set up an inital meeting for those of you that are interested in knowing more about just change.
i am suggesting thursday evening this week or one day next week.
pls call me on 07737531392 or email on lorzekent@msn.com if you would like to know more.
in a nut shell about 120 people attended the london justchange launch, including some big names from the development world. stan, mari and 8 adavasis were there and the whole event was a real success. there is now an initial infrastructure set up in london and to start of with the birmingham just change can use londons bank a/c etc.
the tea is just a vehichle for the just change idea, pls read guardian article for more info.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let anyone know about this who you think may be interested in taking it further. it has got real potenial and has already proved to be a reality in India.
this is a really postive step toward making our world a more just place.

looking forward to hearing from you all.

Laura
x
_________________
Smile and the world's a better place....
We need people to keep thinking that we CAN make a difference and the world WILL be a better place.