It has been quite a year.
Over the last 12 months we have been calling for a money system that is accountable and fair, that supports the needs of society rather than fuelling private debt and high house prices.
Our work is made possible by people like you. Your support is key to the success and continuation of Positive Money – and we cannot thank you enough.
As 2015 draws to a close, we would like to share some of our highlights – and we would love to hear yours. Use the hashtag #pomohighlights to share them on social media.
Being ahead of the curve
Back in 2013 Ben Dyson and Andrew Jackson published our proposal for Sovereign Money Creation – two years later, it seems to have caught on! Following the new Labour leader’s championing of People’s QE, a lot of column inch has been dedicated to innovative monetary policy this year.
Our fantastic network
Our local group network continues to make us proud. In all corners of the UK, supporters have been representing Positive Money. Dora ran three training days in London, Bristol and Newcastle with local group activists. Our groups held over 200 meetings and hosted workshops, courses, public events and many stalls at festivals and fetes. Our local group network is crucial to our success. Fancy getting involved?
It is time for a Money Commission!
This year we launched our campaign for a Money Commission, calling on the UK government to set up a public inquiry into the impact that money creation by private banks has on society. In a matter of days 6000 people added their name to our petition – Have you signed?
International breakthroughs
This year, we have seen huge breakthroughs for money reformers across the world. Following an incredible effort from our Swiss sister organisation there is going to be a referendum on money creation in Switzerland . OnsGeld, in the Netherlands, managed to collect over 100,000 signatures putting money reform firmly on the political agenda. In Iceland, a report commissioned by the Prime Minister was published outlining the need for a fundamental reform of Iceland’s monetary system. In November this year, the QE for People campaign launched in the Eurozone.
Making Money Work – Our event with Lord Turner
In September we organised ‘Making Money Work’ at Westminster Hall. 200 people came to hear Adair Turner, Chris Giles (Financial Times), Prof Steve Keen, and our very own Fran Boait, discussing the dangers of debt fuelled growth and monetary policy.
Welcome David, Stan and Sylviane!
In March, David Clarke came on board as our Policy and Advocacy Adviser. Since then he has been busy meeting MPs and Lords, writing briefings and engaging with the media. Later in the year, Stanislas Jourdan took on the role of International Coordinator. Stan is coordinating a campaign on Quantitative Easing for People in the eurozone and supporting the International Movement for Monetary Reform. Sylviane Herren, Operations and Finance Manager, also joined us this year. How did we manage without her? Syl keeps everything working and has been using her facilitation skills to get the best from the team.
We went to party conferences – thanks to you
The Positive Money team attended Labour, Conservative, SNP and Green Party conferences this year. This resulted in 1000 new people signing up to our campaign and many important conversations with politicians, policy-makers and party activists. This was made possible by you! We raised a record amount of money following our September funding appeal, which went towards supporting our political lobbying work.
Roundtable on Sovereign Money in the Eurozone
In July we hosted a roundtable with 18 economists. Our star researcher, Frank Van Lerven, presented his paper ‘Sovereign Money for the Eurozone’, which was followed by a lively debate! Attendees included Richard Murphy, Ann Pettifor, Michael Kumhof and Frances Coppola.
The retreat – Take 2
We headed up to Ambleside in the Lake District for the second time, joined by 30 local group members and the new Chair of the Board Charlotte Miller. Over three days we managed to roam around lakes, share our stories, make music together and discuss campaign developments. (more here)
Finally, our social media manager Mira helped us cross the 50,000 mark on Facebook and we now have over 16,000 followers on Twitter.
Can you make it even more by sharing the image below?
Thank you so much for all your support over the last year.
Wishing you the very best for 2016!
The Positive Money Team