The October 3-4 specialist conference in Berne, Switzerland – organized by AFP Aktion Finanzplatz Schweiz, a Swiss-based NGO that monitors the Swiss financial system – is expected to lead to substantial debt reduction for the world’s poorest indebted nations and to a new legal discipline to stop future odious debts from being created.

Most loans to the Third World, say conference organizers, “have not contributed to the improvement of the livelihood of local populations.” Instead, the funds allowed corrupt elites to enrich themselves, to oppress the population, or to implement questionable prestige projects, say organizers, adding that “the poorest part of the population has to carry the consequences.”

Conference details and contacts can be found here [PDF]. [anotherPDF here]