Campaign groups meet in Scottish summit to challenge corporate power
Challenging the hold big business has over our lives will be the central theme of a major Scottish activists' summit.
Campaigning NGO Global Justice Now (GJN) is combining with the Radical Independence Campaign (RIC) to hold a conference – called Take Back Our World - on how we take back control from corporations.
A spokesperson for GJN, formerly the World Development Movement, said: “Big business has a grip on our lives and society like never before. Of the 100 wealthiest economic entities in the world, 69 are corporations and only 31 are countries.
“As multinationals increasingly dominate areas traditionally considered the domain of the state, it’s time to ask some big questions. Who really owns and runs Scotland? What’s the point of independence from Westminster if big business is still in charge? How are others around the world taking back control from corporations?
Big business has a grip on our lives and society like never before
“To start finding answers to these questions, the Radical Independence Campaign and Global Justice Now are putting on this special event in Glasgow.
“Speakers from the movement for democracy at home will join those resisting corporate greed and exploitation around the world. In this period of rapid political change, there has never been a more important time to get organised to challenge the rich and powerful.”
Speakers lined up include Larry Sanders, the political activist and brother of US senator Bernie Sanders, Hilary Wainwright of Red Pepper), Bryan Simpson of Better than Zero and Bella Crowe from Nourish Scotland.
The event will feature talks, workshops and debates on how corporations are capturing the government, the media and the global commons, how politicians are aiding this by promoting neoliberal trade deals and privatisation, but also how communities and campaigners from around the world are successfully fighting back
Organisers say Take Back Our World will provide activists in Scotland with the tools for tackling the corporate elite and bringing power back into the hands of the many, where it belongs.
The conference takes place on 28 January, in the Charles Wilson Building, Kelvin Way, Glasgow.
