World Development Movement will become Global Justice Now
The World Development Movement (WDM) has decided to change its name – but insists its commitment to achieving a fairer planet remains undimmed.
The group's members voted to change its name to Global Justice Now (GJN) last September – and the change will take effect from next week.
WDM/GJN campaigns for democracy and social justice throughout the world, and it insists the new moniker will help it refocus its commitment.
The group's Scottish spokesperson Liz Murray said: "In many ways the word “development” in our name has been taken from us. When we were set up in the 70s it was very much about impoverished people being liberated and creating more democratic societies.
“Today it almost always means economic growth, not even particularly targeted at the poorest."
This is about building a bigger movement and running more high profile campaigns which can really start to change the world
Director Nick Dearden said: “Changing our name is just one step in a bigger relaunch. This isn’t about changing our values, but expressing them more effectively. It's about building a bigger movement and running more high profile campaigns which can really start to change the world.”
He added: “After 45 years of WDM we realise this is quite a step to take, but the debate in the organisation, and in the AGM itself which took the decision, focussed on the need for our name to reflect better what we stand for.
“We feel that the concept of “development” has been thoroughly captured by big business. For many of our allies in the global south development means exactly the kind of mines, dams and luxury shopping centres which exacerbate inequality and rob people of their livelihoods.
“WDM stands with communities facing these kinds of injustices and against the power of the tiny elite who have increasingly monopolised the world’s resources for themselves.
“Global Justice Now will continue to make that stand and, we hope, mobilise larger numbers of people for a better, more equal, more democratic world.”
