[asia-apec 963] ICAG Statement

[ppc]

Dear Friends,

Enclosed for your information is the final conference statement of the
International Conference on Alternatives to Globalization (ICAG)
co-sponsored by Bayan-Philipines and the IBON Foundation, Inc.

---------------------------------------------------------
CONFERENCE STATEMENT
Approved on November 9, 1998 and finalized for style by the Organizing
Committee

We, as individuals and groups from 32 countries in Asia and the Pacific,
Latin America, Africa, Europe and North America, representing people's
movements, networks, organizations, centers, institutes and academe, have
come together in the International Conference on Alternatives to
Globalization with the following objectives: first, to seek a deeper
understanding of the global economic crisis and its causes; second, on the
basis of our shared views and experiences, to explore and develop
alternative strategies and paradigms in confronting globalization and
third, to develop linkages for cooperation and exchange. 

Directly linked to the crisis is globalization - the neoliberal offensive
of contemporary monopoly capitalism to maximize the extraction of profit.
To this end, globalization uses modern technology (such as robotics and
information technology) and the political prescriptions - liberalization,
deregulation and privatization - of the triad multilateral institutions,
the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank (WB) and World Trade
Organization (WTO). 

Globalization has worsened the effects of the destructive paradigm of
"growth and development." Instead of economic prosperity and social
stability that it promised for all nations, globalization has brought about
economic turmoil, political and social tension, and widespread devastation
to the world's peoples and resources. The myth of globalization has thus
been fully exposed and debunked. 

The impacts of the global crisis are all so clearly seen today. 

The gap between the rich and poor in all nations, industrial and
non-industrial alike, and between the rich and poor countries is widening
rather than narrowing. Moreover, with the trend towards mergers and
acquisitions, increasingly much more wealth - and power - is being
concentrated in the hands of fewer monopoly capitalists who control the
transnational corporations (TNCs). 

The systematic assaults on labor is dissipating the working class gains,
causing widespread unemployment, job insecurity, loss of benefits, the
destruction of trade unions. The massive displacement of workers leads to
the rise and further commodification of migrant workers. 

Globalization has intensified landlessness, resulting in rural unemployment
and penury. The peasants' limited gains in their struggle for genuine
agrarian reform are likewise being reversed. 

Exploitation of women labor, especially unpaid labor, in farms and
factories is intensified. The crisis causes more women and children to be
displaced, commodified and economically and sexually exploited as
modern-day slaves. Patriarchy remains a key problem and physical violence
on women and children, both inside and outside the home, is prevalent. 

The indigenous people's struggle for the recognition of their right to
self-determination, of the right of those peoples who seek equal
citizenship in their countries, and their rights to ancestral or historical
land is rendered more difficult. In many instances their very survival is
being threatened by environmental degradation, mainly caused by TNCs, and
by the state policies of disguised genocide. 

Global environmental abuse is being accelerated primarily by globalization.
The ill effects include climate change, ozone depletion, air and water
pollution, ocean resource depletion and pollution, deforestation,
extinction of species and dangerous genetic manipulation. 

All these problems are arising because of the irrational pursuit of profit
by rampaging capitalism. 

Everywhere globalization is eroding the gains of social movements in all
aspects, political, social and cultural. There is a general regression of
democracy, as economic impositions by states entail increasing
militarization and violations of human rights, not only of economic, social
and cultural rights, but of political and civil rights as well. In the
third world, as the majority of the people are marginalized economically,
they are also disempowered politically. 

State power is, more than ever, being used to step up the implementation of
the neoliberal prescriptions of globalization, in the form of national
legislation, bilateral agreements with IMF and WB, multilateral pacts under
the WTO regime, and regional and other arrangements. 

The very proponents of globalization have acknowledged that the crisis now
embroils the global capitalist system. They warn of further worsening of
the crisis even as they concede failure to find a solution to the current
global crisis. 

Far from nearing its end, the crisis threatens to get even worse. As the
drive for liberalization, deregulation and privatization is pushed to the
maximum - via the Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI) and the WTO -
the situation can only deteriorate further. 

The crisis has heightened opposition to globalization among the adversely
affected peoples, both organized and unorganized, in all regions of the
world. This is expressed in the growth of militant mass movements that are
becoming more coordinated with various forms of resistance and advocacy
work, as well as spontaneous protest actions. 

The International Conference on Alternatives to Globalization is one
manifestation of this growing opposition. It is a closing of ranks of
diverse movements and initiatives toward more effective resistance to
globalization. 

United in resisting and rejecting globalization, we are determined to
pursue, both through our independent and unified initiatives, effective
strategies and models of economic and social development. 

Over the long term, we shall strive to assert the people's sovereignty and
develop alternative paradigms that uphold and safeguard the peoples'
interests, rights, welfare and values, ensure sovereign control over their
natural and human resources, guarantee economic democracy, democratic
governance, and their right to determine their destiny. 

In the short term, we shall take steps to strengthen the capacities of
peoples and communities to defend themselves against the onslaughts of
globalization. We shall take recourse, principally, in expanding and
strengthening our organizations, sustaining education and pursuing actions
of resistance and struggle that have been proven effective, while we
explore and develop new ones as conditions may require. 

Specifically, we call for the following urgent actions: 

-Expose and oppose the MAI and prevent its negotiation within the WTO by
immediately launching sustained national and international campaigns. Work
for the withdrawal of the harmful agreements on         agriculture and
TRIPs from the WTO. 

-Campaign for the non-payment of foreign loans by nations in crisis. Oppose
the signing of new letters of intent with the IMF and reject all onerous
loan conditionalities. 
          
-Oppose foreign military intervention in the internal affairs of nations as
it violates their sovereignty and right to self-determination. 

-Expose and oppose the intensifying environmental destruction and
exploitation for TNC profit and support the OilWatch declaration against
new fossil fuel exploration. 

-Expose and oppose the intensifying marginalization and exploitation of
women's labor, the commodification and sexual violence on women and
children, and the use of rape as a tool of militarism. 

We are determined to expand, intensify and sustain worldwide resistance
against globalization. Separately and together, we shall consistently wage
militant struggles until we defeat this modern scourge. 

       
                           (end)

BAYAN (Bagong Alyansang Makabayan or New Patriotic Alliance)
No. 23 Maamo Street, Sikatuna Village
Quezon City, PHILIPPINES							      	
Telephone: (63-2) 435-9151       Telefax: (63-2) 922-5211
Email:   <bayan at iname.com>
Bayan webpage URL:
http://www.bigfoot.com/~bayan-phils 	      	


IBON Foundation Inc.
3/F SCC Bldg. 4427 Int. Old Sta. Mesa,  
Manila 1008, Philippines
Tel (00-63-2) 713-2737 / 713-2729 Fax (00-63-2) 716-0108
http://www.ibon.org