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Public meeting and community responses discussion forum

Tuesday 21st February 7pm - 9.30pm Harbour Hotel, Galway  by 2031 people in Ireland will have repaid at least €47 billion on a debt for which we no have responsibility.   That is over €2.6 billion from the people of Galway alone

New charges, asset sell-offs and cuts to schools, health care, education, provision for special needs and a whole range of vital social protection measures are being forced on us in order to pay for these illegitimate debts.

This public meeting  aims to help us gain a better understanding of the nature of the debt repayments to former Anglo Irish Bank / Irish Nationwide Building Society (INBS). How did we as a society end up paying these debts? What will the impact of these ongoing payments be on our communities and society at large? And most crucially, how can we, the people of Galway and surrounding region, work together and with others to halt these unjust payments ?  This informal information-sharing meeting is being organised with the support of Debt Justice Action, a new civil society network which is spearheading a national campaign, 'Anglo: Not Our Debt', calling on the government to immediately suspend payments on Anglo/INBS debt.   Tom McDonnell of the independent economic think tank, TASC will speak at the meeting, along with local speakers. Tom's session will provide a some brief background to the debt crisis before explaining in detail the workings of the promissory notes and the arguments for suspension of payments.  This will be followed by Q&A and an open community forum for discussion and planning practical actions in advance of the next promissory note payment date on 31st March .

SKILLS BUILDING WORKSHOPS 25th & 26th February

In order to support our actions for debt justice, the pubic meeting will be followed by a skills-building weekend, featuring workshops on a variety of themes, including:

• Debt Indepth with Nessa Ni Chassaide of the Debt and Development Coalition 10.30am - 2.30pm

This workshop, facilitated by one of Europe's most experienced debt justice activists,  will give participants a good grounding in the background to the debt crisis and a grasp of the arguments for debt justice both at home and in the Global south/ developing world.  It is designed to build confidence and skills for those interested in writing and speaking about this issue in the local media, with community groups - or even just to help explain the importance of the issue to our family and friends. 

• Using Social Media with Mark C of Contact.ie - Saturday 3.00 - 5.00 pm

• Creative Campaigning - With members of Occupy Galway and Galway One World Centre - Sunday

• Journalism Clinic with Michael Mc Caughan - by appointment

THESE WORKSHOPS ARE BEING OFFERED BY DONATION/FREE OF CHARGE. SEE BOOKING DETAILS BELOW.

   ALL WELCOME For further information on the meeting or to book a place at the weekend workshops, please contact Vicky Donnelly at 091 530590 / 087 2645344 / education@galwayowc.org /  http://www.notourdebt.ie/galway-public-meeting