NEW INTERNATIONALIST The New Internationalist workers’ co-operative exists to report on the issues of world poverty and inequality; to focus attention on the unjust relationship between the powerful and powerless worldwide; to debate and campaign for the radical changes necessary to meet the basic needs of all; and to bring to life the people, the ideas and the action in the f ight for global justice. The New Internationalist magazine was founded by Peter and Lesley Adamson in 1970. Together with a range of other publications it is published by New Internationalist Publications Ltd which is wholly owned by the New Internationalist Trust and co-operatively managed: Accounts: Frank Syratt. Advertising: Michael York. Administration: Anna Weston. Design: Andrew Kokotka, Ian Nixon, Juha Sorsa. Editorial (Magazine): Vanessa Baird, Dinyar Godrej, Jo Lateu, Hazel Healy, Chris Spannos, Jamie Kelsey-Fry. Editorial (Publications): Chris Brazier. Mail Order: Bev Dawes, Emma Dunkley, James Rowland. Marketing (Magazine): Amanda Synnott, Rob Norman. North American Publisher: Ian McKelvie. Marketing (Publications): Dan Raymond-Barker, Kelsi Farrington. Production: Fran Harvey. Web and IT: Charlie Harvey, Pete Stewart. SUBSCRIPTIONS Website: newint.org/subscribe Email: subscriptions@newint.org Phone: +44 (0) 1604 251 046 Phone (from Ireland): CallSave 1850 924 331 Fax: +44 (0)1604 251031 Post: New Internationalist, 3 Queensbridge, The Lakes, Northampton, NN4 7BF, UK. ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION PRICES UK: £39.85; Institutions £70; Ireland: �47; Rest of World: Individuals: £44.85/�58/ US$68. Institutions £90. Despatch by air only. Subscribers in Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand and Japan should contact their local subscriptions office whose addresses can be found at newint.org/about/contact/ UK OFFICE New Internationalist, The Old Music Hall, 106-108 Cowley Road, Oxford OX4 1JE. Tel: +44 (0)1865 403345; Fax: +44 (0)1865 403346; Email: ni@newint.org Advertising (magazine & web): Michael York 01865 403339 michaely@newint.org Contract enquiries: ni_cg@newint.org Web queries: tech@newint.org Permissions & general enquiries: Anna Weston 01865 403345 annaw@newint.org News trade distributor: COMAG Specialist Division, Tavistock Works, Tavistock Road, West Drayton, Middlesex UB7 7QX, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1895 433800. Fax: +44 (0)1895 433801. The New Internationalist is published monthly except that the Jan/Feb and July/Aug issues are combined.
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Editor’s letter newint.org
Wrong prescription
Does repeating a thing make it true?
The followers of mainstream economic dogma must surely think ‘Yes’. After the financial crash of 2008 and the malaise ever since, they haven’t changed their tune much. Their prescriptions don’t work but the patients – you or me – are still being dosed with ‘freemarket’ medicine.
It’s enough to make one go a funny shade of green.
We’ve worked on this edition in the spirit of providing something of an antidote. The economic bottom line is inevitable, say the powers that be. Just the way things are. Well, we – and an ever-growing legion of dissenting economists and fed-up-to-the-back-teeth members of the general public – say, ‘No’. These cherished myths are causing real harm and we need to ditch them.
A big thank you to my co-writer and fellow myth-buster on The Big Story this month – former New Internationalist co-editor David Ransom, who has brought his wit, insight and engagement to bear on it.
Among other features this month is an unusual piece by Suprabha Seshan, who is director of a botanical sanctuary in South India. It’s the kind of ecological writing that has a heartbeat. Meanwhile, regular columnist Steve Parry’s ears are ringing after being subjected to much Twittering. ■
Dinyar Godrej for the New Internationalist Co-operative newint.org
This month’s contributors include:
Karel Prinsloo is a Namibian award-winning photographer who has been working for over 20 years. He has covered, for the most part, conflicts and wars in Africa and the Middle East.
Suprabha Seshan is an environmental educator. She lives in a plant sanctuary in Kerala, India, and occasionally writes. Her main passion is to support human and non-human cultures based on nature.
Jackie Morris is an author and illustrator. She lives in Wales, where she paints, using watercolours. Her latest book, The Wild Swans, is published by Frances Lincoln. She has two children.
Belle Mellor is a prizewinning freelance illustrator and animator. She specializes in the editorial field, relishing the speedy deadlines, idea generation, and relationship between text and image. bellemellor.com
Seasonal ethical gifts At this time of year, I love getting my New Internationalist calendar with its stunning world images, and for cat lovers there is our range of ‘cats on sofas’.
Our Ethical Shop is a great source of eco-friendly, ethically sourced and fair trade treats. And, we’re offering all our subscribers a special 10% discount off your entire basket until 19 December too (just type in the code STILLTIME on the checkout page). So, if you’re searching for that elusive gift idea, or looking for inspiration for stocking fillers, then look no further! ethicalshop.org
On behalf of all at New Internationalist, I wish you season’s greetings.
Helen Wallis Engagement Manager
New I nter nat io nal ist ● D ecemb er 2015 ● 3
