- What is the Global Week of Action?
- Who are the organisers?
- What are we calling for?
- What is happening near me?
- What type of event could I run?
- What is wrong with trade?
- What is the alternative?
What is the Global Week of Action?
A Week of Action from 10-16 April 2005, where as many campaigns as possible across the world active on trade and neo-liberalism come together in united action. The idea is for all of the organisations, networks and movements to take action in their own national and regional campaigns. The aim is to challenge the free trade myth and put forward alternatives by delivering the biggest global mobilisation we have seen.
Who are the organisers?
Anyone and everyone! The Week of Action is not led or organised by any one organisation or campaign. It is a campaign idea, coming from the International Trade Campaign Conference that anyone can get involved in. It is an opportunity for all movements and campaigns active on trade or neo-liberalism to join together in united action.
Full list of organisations who have endorsed the
call to action
Add your organisation’s endorsement
What are we calling for?
There is no one detailed policy demand for the week of action, rather the week of action seeks to bring together and build on the reality of existing trade campaigns across the world. We are united by the ‘call of action’
We call upon all social movements, mass organisations, local and national campaigns and coalitions to join together to organise a Global Week of Action from 10-16 April 2005.
Our message is
- NO to the rich and powerful imposing unjust trade agreements, indiscriminate liberalisation and privatisation and on the poor.
- YES to everyone’s right to food, a livelihood, water, health and education.
What is happening near me?
Social movements, mass organisations, religious groups, trade unions, environmental, farmers and women’s groups all over the world are organising events for the week.
Go to national contact or events to find out what groups are already involved and what events are already planned in your area. If there is not a local or national event already organised, why not consider joining together with other groups to take action together?
What type of event could I run?
There is no one action that everyone must take together instead there is flexibility for different campaigns to participate as appropriate. Any event, big or small can make a difference, and has a part of play in the Week of Action. Some suggestions of events include;
- A grain march, where on the same day millions take a handful of grain to a symbolic location,
- A lobby of parliament
- Trade tribunal, where a panel of expert investigate the impacts of free trade and privatisation.
- A local or national vote for Trade Justice
- A religious service
- A carnival procession
- A festival with seminars, drama, music, debates etc
Further action ideas and resources
Register your event
What is wrong with trade?
Free trade has increased poverty As the world gets richer, so should the poor. But they aren't. Over the last 20 years the rich and powerful have pushed the idea that only free trade and privatisation can solve the problems of global poverty. This has not worked. Millions remain trapped in poverty and it is the institutions, conditions and rules of international trade, more than anything else, that keep poor people poor.
Threats and bullying For years, rich countries, and the international institutions they control, such as the World Trade Organisation, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, have been quietly forcing poor countries to follow their economic 'advice'. Through a mixture of persuasion, threats and bullying and conditions attached to loans and aid poor countries are being forced to open their markets to foreign competition, to stop helping their vulnerable producers and to privatise essential services.
Double standards Rich countries often claim to support free trade. They say free trade is the way to poverty reduction. However despite this rhetoric, rich countries tend only to follow their own advice when they are certain to benefit. So whilst demanding that poor countries remove every possible trade barrier and privatise their basic services, rich countries continue to subsidise and protect their own industries and farmers.
What’s the alternative?
We need a radical change in the agenda, but there is no one-size-fits all solution to trade. Trade Justice says that the market can play a role in poverty reduction, but only if balanced by strategic government intervention that strengthens the weakest and serves the poor.
Poor country governments must once again have the rights to choose their own economic policies, including trade policies, that work to reduce poverty. They need the freedom to help support and protect their vulnerable producers, enterprises and traders in the most appropriate way, until they are strong enough to compete. Historically no country has ever become rich without this kind of intervention.
