Global Week of Action endorsed at the Americas Social Forum
Activists from almost all countries of the Americas attended the packed Global Week of Action seminar at the first Americas Social Forum in Quito in July. Speakers were Sandra Quintela, PACS and Jubilee South, Brazil; Elyzabeth Peredo, Fundacion Solon, Bolivia and Martin Gordon, Christian Aid, UK.
Sandra explained that the Hemispheric Social Alliance and the Continental Campaign Against the FTAA had already started strategising about what they could do together for the Week. She said “This is a week to take the message to the people, a week to educate millions about the effects of free trade”
Elyzabeth outlined some of the plans from the Bolivian campaign and urged “We have to link the campaign to issues that are close to the people, like food and water. This is what we will be doing in Bolivia. We also have to mobilise in every village in every country. This week has the potential to mobilise 100 million people across the world”
Martin brought news of the recent European Trade Campaign Conference in London where trade activists from across Europe committed to working closely to co-ordinate activities for the Week of Action. He said “Campaigns all across the world have started planning for April 2005. However, we still need to take the call to action as far and as wide as possible, and include even more groups and campaigns”
