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News / 26 February 2009

Crisis Cafe March 25th, 2009

On April 2, 2009 the G-20 - the 20 countries with the largest national economies in the world - will be meeting to discuss new, (mostly) short term solutions for the financial crisis. The Netherlands is not a member country, but will be allowed to sit in. But which long term changes should Balkenende be advocating? To inspire him Both ENDS organises on wednesday March 25th, 2009 a Crisis Café: 'De Duurzame Daalder'.

 

According to several organisations - the Dutch trade union FNV and Stichting Natuur & Milieu (The Netherlands Society for Nature and Environment), but also the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) supported by the Dutch Minister of the Environment and Spatial Planning Ms. Jacqueline Cramer - the time is ripe for a 'Green New Deal', which will not only effectively tackle the financial crisis, but also the climate crisis and world poverty.

At the moment, governments are pumping hundreds of billions of euros of tax payers' money into the heavily affected private sector, to keep the financial system afloat. Even the automotive industry is receiving money to keep their heads above water. Meanwhile, there are signs that investment initiatives aimed at sustainable development, such as wind farms, are receiving less and less money. Even capital streams to developing countries are expected to be drastically reduced. A 'Green New Deal' doesn't seem quite on the cards yet.

How can the Netherlands prevent capital from only being used for the financial side of the crisis? Should we get ourselves even deeper into debt to get a 'Green New Deal' off the ground? What can the Netherlands do to strengthen the role of 'natural capital' for global sustainable development? And how can ecological and societal priorities be brought into balance with those of the financial sector? Isn't it high time for the Dutch government to come up with a coherent proposal for a 'Green New Deal' in the European Union and at other international forums?

 

Talk, drink and share your ideas in our crisis cafe with:

  • Ron Wit, Stichting Natuur & Milieu
  • Dani Wadada Nabudere, Principal of the Marcus Garvey Pan-African Institute, Uganda
  • Kavaljit Singh, Public Interest Research Centre, India
  • Gerhard Mulder, Candidate European parliament D66 and at the moment working as a climate specialist for the Dutch bank ABN AMRO

Wednesday March, 25th 2009 - 17.30 - 19.30 - Nutshuis, Riviervismarkt 5, The Hague.

For the official invitation click here.

 

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