***For more detailed campaign information make sure you get hold of SPEAK's new Big Dress Campaign Booklet...contact SPEAK for a free copy; order one online; or read it online***

Campaign Success

In the last year SPEAK have been part of achieving some important improvements to UK company law as you have probably read in the Pray & Post card, Pull-Out and Volumize. This has been thanks to your determined campaigning and faithful prayers as part of the Big Dress Campaign. Please read the new Keep Good Company Big Dress Campaign booklet for more information including an in-depth update, case studies, answers to tricky questions and further actions we can take (contact SPEAK for a free copy; order one online; or read it online).

The Companies Bill has now become law (as the Companies Act 2006). In the Act the UK Government has recognised that UK companies need to be made more accountable for the impact of their activities in the UK and overseas. This is an important first step towards stronger laws for greater accountability of multinational companies and is a fantastic achievement showing that we really can make a difference! In 2007 and beyond SPEAK’s Big Dress Campaign, as part of the Trade Justice Movement (TJM) and Corporate Responsibility (CORE) Coalition, will keep campaigning to right corporate wrongs.

Campaign Achievements At A Glance

• Real improvements in UK company law, which will help protect the rights of poor people and the environment
• Over 100,000 people contacted their MP on this issue
• A new level of awareness of the need for corporate accountability in the media and Parliament
• Widespread support amongst MPs for the campaign

What Next?

There is still a long way to go, but we have made a good start. There is much praying and campaigning to do to keep up the pressure to ensure companies are made accountable for their impact on people and planet:
• Working with allies across the world we will push for international regulation of multinational companies at a European and global level.
• We will also be part of monitoring how the Companies Act 2006 works in practice and targeting its weaknesses.

Action Ideas – How You Can Make A Difference…

Get an in-depth update on the campaign and issues, and ideas for action by getting hold of a new Big Dress Campaign Booklet

There are many ways of supporting SPEAK’s Big Dress Campaign whoever you are. Below are the main actions for how you can help keep up the pressure for change...

MAIN CAMPAIGN ACTION 1:

Record a personal message of support for the
Big Dress Campaign on our MP3 petition…

• Record your message, saying who you are, where you are from, that you support the campaign, and why, and send it to us.
• Even better, record messages from all your friends when you get home and send them to the SPEAK Network Support Team.

PRAYER ACTION:

• Please keep praying for the next steps in the Big Dress Campaign and the implementation of the Companies Act, that both would be effective.
• See the Pray & Post card and the new campaign booklet for prayer points and prayer actions and ideas.

MAIN CAMPAIGN ACTION 2:

Keep up the pressure on the politicians...

Act quickly online…

• Tell your MP and MEPs that we need changes in the law to protect the world's poorest people. Contact them to ask for their support for the campaign and to raise the issues in Parliament/Brussels (adapt the Pray & Post card wording) and pray for their response – visit www.writetothem.com to contact them directly.
• Email the Prime Minister explaining what we are calling for and why (see the campaign goals in the campaign booklet) –
visit www.number-10.gov.uk/output/Page821.asp.

If you have slightly longer…

• Help to put pressure on the government and key ministers, particularly the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, by calling on them to act now to improve corporate accountability – writing a letter yourself makes more impact (act quickly by using SPEAK’s Pray & Post cards to contact them or adapt the letter and write personally).
• Arrange to meet your MP by attending one of their local surgeries - raise your concerns using SPEAK’s campaign resources.

Also make sure you look out for more SPEAK emails, new mailings, and check the website for more information on how you can support the next stage of SPEAK’s Big Dress Campaign.

Do send us your ideas and suggestions as well so that we can build the success of our campaign together. If you want to become more actively involved in any aspect of the campaign please email ben at speak.org.uk.