BULLETIN D’INFORMATION

Social Watch approuve la stratégie 2011-2014, choisit les nouveaux représentants

Manille, Philippines – le modèle économique actuel dirigé par croissance est économiquement inefficace, socialement injuste, nuisible pour l'environnement et politiquement intenable, selon un document de stratégie approuvé par les membres de Social Watch lors des cérémonies de clôture de la 5e Assemblée mondiale du réseau vendredi dernier.

Social Watch, un réseau international d'organisations de citoyens prônant la justice économique et sociale, a également élu son nouveau comité représentant six régions – Amérique latine, Europe, Asie, Afrique, Amérique du Nord et la région arabe.

Les élus coprésidents du Comité de coordination de Social Watch sont Prof. Leonor M. Briones des Philippines et Tanya Dawkins des États-Unis. Les autres membres du Comité de coordination sont : Norayda Arabella Ponce Sosa (Guatemala). Susan Eróstegui (Bolivie) ; Mirjam van Reisen (Belgique) ; Milena Kadieva (Bulgarie) ; Himanshu Jha (Inde) ; Martina Mnenegwa Kabisama (Tanzanie) ; Gustave Benjamin Assah (Bénin) ; Kate McInturff (Canada). Abdulnabi Alerky (Bahreïn) ; et, Kinda Mohamadieh (Liban). Ils serviront jusqu'en 2013.

L'Assemblée a ouvert officiellement le 12 juillet dernier avec le Vice-président philippin Jejomar Binay comme invité d'honneur. Le sommet, avec le thème «Réclamant la démocratie : responsabilité pour la justice économique et sociale» a réuni plus de 100 délégués désignés par les coalitions nationales de 60 pays du monde entier. Ces délégués étaient des représentants de groupes de femmes, des militants des droits de l'homme, des syndicalistes et d’autres militants pour la justice sociale et ont discuté les nouveaux défis apportés par les crises mondiales et les réponses de la société civile.

Dans un document de stratégie, le groupe dit qu'ils ont reconnu les liens entre la crise financière, la crise climatique, la crise alimentaire, la crise du carburant, la crise économique et crise sociale et politique.

« Ces crises n'apparaissent pas dans l'isolement mais sont des manifestations d'un modèle de croissance qui a conduit à la surconsommation et l'extrême inégalité, » selon le document.

“These crises do not appear in isolation but are manifestations of a growth model that has led to overconsumption and extreme inequality,” according to the document.

Not GDP

Roberto Bissio, coordonnateur global Social Watch, a dit qu'il est impératif de contester le paradigme économique dominant fondé sur la croissance du produit intérieur brut (PIB) dans le monde entier.

« Nous exhortons l'Organisation des Nations Unies, étant l'organisme multilatéral légitime, de prendre la direction pour changer cette mesure perverse  pour des ndicateurs fondés sur les droits. Il a insisté sur le fait que « la croissance du PIB ne signifie pas une réduction de la pauvreté ».

Le PIB se réfère à la valeur marchande de tous les biens et services produits dans un pays dans une période donnée. Il est largement utilisé par les économistes pour évaluer la santé de l'économie.

Bissio, originaire de l'Uruguay, a expliqué que le PIB ne tient pas compte de l'écart augmentant, en termes de répartition de la richesse, entre les riches et les pauvres. Aussi le PIB ne reconnaît pas les activités qui ne sont pas fournies par le marché, comme les travaux ménagers et des services non rémunérés comme le travail bénévole.

« Pire, ce modèle économique  marqué par la  croissance traite la dégradation de l'environnement comme un avantage au lieu d'un coût, » a dit Bissio, en ajoutant, « les industries d’extraction ou minières et celles de la production commerciale alimentaire habituellement déplacent les gens et détruisent l'environnement. Seul les transnationales en  profitent. »

Alternative indicators

Au cours de l'Assemblée, Social Watch a accepté de contribuer à l'élaboration d'indicateurs alternatifs. Deux de ces indicateurs sont  l'indice d’équité de genre et l’indice de capacités de base.

« Dans certains pays, la croissance du PIB est élevée, mais l'écart entre les hommes et les femmes est aussi large. Dans certains pays, la croissance du PIB est relativement faible, mais l'écart entre les sexes est étroit », a déclaré Prof. Briones, aussi responsable de Social Watch  Philippines.

Citant un exemple, Prof. Briones a dit que les politiciens se vanteraient du nombre de salles de cours qu'ils ont construit, mais  ils signaleront du doigt le ministère de l'éducation lorsqu’ils seront demandés combien de toilettes ont été construits avec ces salles de classe.

« Les hommes et les femmes ont des besoins différents. Il est regrettable qu'il y a des cas de viols en raison du manque d'installations sanitaires pour les filles," a regretté Briones.

Selon Bissio, les composantes de l'indice de capacités de base comme des indicateurs alternatifs sont la mortalité infantile, naissance de l'enfant assistée par du personnel médical et l'éducation de base.

Autres strategies

Hormis les indicateurs économiques alternatifs, Social Watch a accepté de se concentrer sur les processus intergouvernementaux et les événements que sont pertinentes pour les principaux objectifs du réseau, parmi eux les organes liés à l’équité de genre, l'économie et droits de l'homme et autres organismes connexes, et les processus de suivi sur le financement du développement, la Conférence des Nations Unies sur les finances et la crise économique et le processus sur le développement durable de Rio.

Le groupe a également décidé de :

• Soutenir la création et le renforcement des solutions régionales qui reflètent les aspirations des populations pauvres et marginalisées ;
• Contribuer et soutenir la lutte pour la dignité et de la démocratie dans la région arabe et ailleurs.
• Contribuer au renforcement de la société civile dans les pays les moins avancés et de préconiser un élargissement de leur espace dans les forums mondiaux ;
• Construire des alliances avec des syndicats, des organisations d’agriculteurs, médias indépendants, des mouvements sociaux et autres organisations de la société civile et des réseaux, en particulier les partisans de la justice climatique et participer au Forum Social mondial et d'autres alliances comme AWID, DAWN, le groupe de travail International sur le commerce – Finance et le réseau pour la Justice fiscale (Tax Justice Network) ;
• Contribuer aux négociations actuelles sur le climat, une approche fondée sur des principes de justice sociale et égalité entre les sexes ;
• Plaidoyer autour des sources de financement pour l'éradication de la pauvreté, y compris les taxes sur les transactions financières et la fin de l'internationale évasion fiscale et de blanchiment d'argent ; novatrices et défenseur
• Advocate and network around innovative sources of financing for poverty eradication, including financial transaction taxes, and an end to international tax evasion and money laundering;
• Contribute to universal and transformative social protection and to the macroeconomic and financial regulations needed to make it possible;
• Advocate for realisation of economic, social and cultural rights, through the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights, the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women, including domestic violence, the ratification and full implementation of the ILO Convention of Domestic Workers and of CEDAW and equivalent regional instruments;
• Advocate against the social exclusion of migrant communities and for the ratification of the International Convention on the Rights of Migrants; and,
• Advocate for self-determination of people and their full control over their resources as a crucial way to protect their social and economic rights.

About Social Watch

Created in 1995, Social Watch is an international network of citizens’ organizations in the struggle to eradicate poverty and the causes of poverty, to end all forms of discrimination and racism, to ensure an equitable distribution of wealth and the realization of human rights. The group is committed to peace, social, economic, environment and gender justice; and emphasizes the right of all people not to be poor.

Social Watch holds governments, the UN system and international organizations accountable for the fulfillment of national, regional and international commitments to eradicate poverty. By demanding accountability for social, economic and gender justice, Social Watch members are claiming democracy.

Social Watch will achieve its objectives through a comprehensive strategy of advocacy, awareness-building, monitoring, organizational development and networking. Moreover, it promotes people-centred sustainable development.

The basic methodology of Social Watch still remains the same: to make governments accountable for their commitments and thus promote the political will to implement them. These commitments include:

• The 1995 Social Summit;
• The 1995 Beijing Conference on Women;
• The Millennium Declaration (2000) on which the Millennium Development Goals are based;
• The 1992 Rio Summit commitments;
• The 2010 MDG +10 Conference and the Universal Social Protection Floor;
• Durban Conference;
• The 8 MDGs while acknowledging that they do not substitute the other commitments named in this section;
• The 2010 Beijing +15 Conference;
• The Human Rights framework, which includes Economic, Social and Cultural rights, labour rights, women rights, environmental rights, rights of indigenous peoples and of migrants, right to self-determination, Convention on domestic workers and the right to development, and the right to information;
• Regional commitment and regional frameworks that advance the above principles;
• National commitments, as formulated in national constitutions, government plans, budgets and laws, including in particular social, economic and cultural rights; and,
• The principle of intergenerational justice and social inclusion.

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5th SOCIAL WATCH GLOBAL ASSEMBLY
ILO director-general lauds Social Watch, urges group to work on ratification of Convention on Domestic Workers

MANILA, Philippines – International Labor Organization director-general Juan Somavia has lauded Social Watch for its outstanding job of reminding governments about their commitments to eradicate poverty and attain equality, even as he enjoined the global organization to help ensure the ratification and implementation of the ILO Convention on Domestic Workers.

"Today, Social Watch is more necessary than ever before.  I am a great supporter of Social Watch. This accountability movement you initiated within and after the World Summit on Social Development in Copenhagen has certainly proven its worth, and my civil society soul is fully with you,” said Somavia in a video message (http://www.socialwatch.org/node/13368) to the Social Watch Global Assembly delegates in Manila.

He said Social Watch has been doing “a magnificent job of reminding governments about their commitments.”

“You have persistently reminded governments as well as international organizations, business and NGOs of the need to act on their commitments,” Somavia said.

Somavia further said Social Watch’s courage was inspiring, as he reminded everyone that turning dreams into reality is a task for all. “We must find change to have balance and we must all be held accountable.”

He said this year, there have been two major breakthroughs that can be included in a new paradigm for the growth of social justice. One of this is the New Convention on Domestic Workers which brings the system of rights to the informal economy according to him..

“Domestic workers have long mobilized to get the protection and the respect which they are entitled to, and now we must ensure that the Convention is ratified and implemented,” said Somavia.

During the Global Assembly’s workshop on migration issues last Wednesday, Social Watch members expressed support for the ratification of ILO Convention 189 on Decent Work for Domestic Workers following its adoption last June 16, 2011 during the 100th annual conference of ILO.

The measure was passed overwhelmingly by ILO members with 396 voting in favor, 16 against, and 63 abstaining. A Recommendation, which outlines how to implement the convention, was also approved 434 to 8, with 42 abstentions.

The call on governments to ratify will be included in the report that will be submitted to the Social Watch Global Assembly Drafting Committee by the workshop body organized by Wahyu Susilo of Indonesia, who said they will recommend a campaign in the national and regional levels to ratify its implementation.

The report of the migration workshop group will also evolve on other issues among them the situation of migrant workers in the Gulf Area, and those in Somalia, Cambodia and Afghanistan after the civil war; and discussions on the complexity of migrant  workers relative to economic and gender issues according to Susilo.

The passage of Convention 189 has been celebrated by workers around the world as they expect the landmark measure to change the lives of at least 100 million workers globally. It provides that domestic workers who care for families and households must have the same basic labor rights as those available to other workers: reasonable hours of work, weekly rest of at least 24 consecutive hours, a limit on in-kind payment, clear information on terms and conditions of employment; and respect for fundamental principles and rights at work including among others freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining.

Meanwhile, Somavia said ILO is working to to pass next year an ILO Standards on Universal Protection to promote social security strategies, citing that 80 percent of workers today have no access to social security.

“I believe these are building blocks for social justice, and I invite you all to mobilize around. Your support is invaluable,” Somavia said.

Social Watch, is an international network of citizens’ organizations campaigning for social justice. Over 100 delegates designated by national coalitions from 60 countries  around the world, comprising of women groups, human rights activists, unionists and other campaigners for social justice are attending the Global Assembly summit this year with the theme  “Claiming Democracy: Accountability For Social And Economic Justice.” (30)

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5th SOCIAL WATCH GLOBAL ASSEMBLY
Social Watch delegates urge governments to ratify ILO Convention 189 on Decent Work for Domestic Workers

MANILA, Philippines – International advocates of social and economic justice attending the 5th Social Watch Global Assembly in the country are urging foreign governments to ratify the implementation of Convention 189 on Decent Work for Domestic Workers following its adoption by the United Nations International Labor Organization (ILO) last 16 June 16 2011.

The Global Assembly delegates voiced their support for the ratification of Convention 189 during the workshop on migration issues held at the first day of the summit last Wednesday.

The passage of Convention 189 has been celebrated by workers around the world as they expect the landmark measure to change the lives of at least 100 million workers globally. It provides that domestic workers who care for families and households must have the same basic labor rights as those available to other workers: reasonable hours of work, weekly rest of at least 24 consecutive hours, a limit on in-kind payment, clear information on terms and conditions of employment; and respect for fundamental principles and rights at work including among others freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining.

Under international law, the next step for ILO-member States will be to submit the new labor standards to their national competent authority for enactment or other action, including ratification. Ratification would mean accepting the Convention.

The measure was passed overwhelmingly by ILO members with 396 voting in favor, 16 against, and 63 abstaining. A recommendation, which outlines how to implement the convention, was also approved 434 to 8, with 42 abstentions.

According to migration workshop organizer Wahyu Susilo of Indonesia, the ratification of Convention 189 will be included in the report they will submit to the Social Watch Global Assembly’s Drafting Committee.

“We will recommend a campaign in the national and regional levels to ratify its implementation,” said Susilo, head of advocacy and network division of the International NGO Forum on Indonesian Development (INFID).

The report of the migration workshop group will also evolve on other issues, among them the situation of migrant workers in the Gulf Area, and those in Somalia, Cambodia and Afghanistan after the civil war; and discussions on the complexity of migrant  workers relative to economic and gender issues according to Susilo.

Agnes Matienzo of Migrant Forum in Asia (MFA) said there should be a global initiative to introduce Convention 189 to domestic workers, especially domestic helpers, so they will become aware about its existence.

“The best strategy is for governments to ratify the convention. The Philippines has a draft bill on this already,” said Matienzo.

William Gois, MFA regional coordinator, said it took ILO about six years to approve the measure which means that within the organization, there is also resistance to look into domestic work. “ILO managed to bring in the discussions on the need for standard-setting and to look at the informal sector.”

Meanwhile, Abdul Kadir Khalif Sh. Yusuf of the Somali Organisation for Community Development Activities (SOCON), proposed the identification of civic organizations working on migration which Social Watch can coordinate for action on migrant workers’ issues.

“We can identify Social Watch members who will do advocacy work of presenting to workers their rights. We should think of the migrant workers and their families too,” he said.

At an earlier press briefing, Social Watch global coordinator Roberto Bissio said migration of workers should be connected to the UN Convention on the Rights of Migrant Workers. He also said the forceful displacement of people is a practice that should be evaluated, and that the right to migrate and establish one’s self where an individual wants should be respected.

Emily Joy Sikawze, Co-Chairperson of Social Watch Coordinating Committee, said governments allow human trafficking because they do not take their responsibility seriously.

She said women trafficking happens for various reasons among them sexual exploitation and selling of infants of women-victims. (30)

Download Press Release (.doc format)

Please refer to:
Prof. Leonor Briones, +63.917.535.9884
Jessica Reyes-Cantos, +63.917.320.0007
Bobby Diciembre, +63.920.905.9856
NEWS RELEASE
08 July 2011

VP Binay to deliver keynote address at Social Watch Global Assembly opening

MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Jejomar C. Binay will be the keynote speaker at the opening rites of the Social Watch 2011 Global Assembly on Tuesday, 12 July at the Sulo Riviera Hotel in Quezon City.

The Vice President will welcome the more than 100 delegates from over 60 countries representing various national coalitions that form part of the Social Watch international network of citizens’ organizations campaigning for social justice. These organizations include women groups, human rights activists, unionists, environmentalists and other campaigners.

A staunch human rights defender especially during the height of the Marcos dictatorship and a former student activist, Binay is expected to share his insights on the quest for social justice and equality, both in the Philippines and in the world.

Summit organizers and delegates have expressed hope the Vice President’s speech would deal with key issues involving governance among them:
• an assessment of the achievements of the government, especially after one year in office;
• an identification of on-going challenges and issues which the government faces, including issues that have an international dimension; and
• policy recommendations on the way forward.

“This will be the 5th Global Assembly of Social Watch, the last one was held in Ghana, South Africa in 2009. Social Watch Philippines is happy to host this big event and honored to have the Vice President in our opening rites. I look forward to hearing the Vice President’s insights on migration and protecting our OFW’s rights as this is definitely a niche he has carved in his first year as our VP,” said Jessica Reyes-Cantos, one of the convenors of Social Watch Philippines (SWP).

Added Prof. Leonor Magtolis Briones, SWP’s lead convenor, “Truly, the challenges for citizens’ groups and civil society organizations is so much greater. I think the Vice President’s international exposure can help us identify the key role that Social Watch can play in the fight against poverty and inequality, especially in the context of global economic and environmental crises.”

Social Watch’s three-day Global Assembly carries the theme “Claiming Democracy: Accountability for Social and Economic Justice.”

The summit participants are expected to ultimately come up with a Strategy Plan for 2012-2014, and elect a new Coordinating Committee in charge of implementing that strategy until the next Global Assembly in 2013.

Created in 1995, Social Watch is an international network of citizens’ organizations in the struggle to eradicate poverty and its causes, end all forms of discrimination and racism, and ensure an equitable distribution of wealth and the realization of human rights. (30)

Download Press Release (.doc format)

Social Watch Philippines
Room 130/140, Alumni Center, University of the Philippines, Diliman, 1100 Quezon City
Telefax: +63.2.920.8949, +63.2.436.6054
Email: swga2011@gmail.com, sowatphils@gmail.com

NEWS RELEASE
Please refer to:
Prof. Leonor Briones, +63.917.535.9884
Bobby Diciembre, +63.920.905.9856

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
07 July 2011

Manila Hosts Social Watch 2011 Global Assembly from July 12 to 15

MANILA, Philippines - Social Watch, an international network of citizens’ organizations campaigning for social justice, will hold its Global Assembly this year in Manila from July 12 to 15.   Over 100 delegates designated by national coalitions from 60 countries around the world will attend the summit.

The Social Watch 2011 Global Assembly, with the theme “Claiming democracy: accountability for social and economic justice, ” will gather representatives of women groups, human rights activists, unionists and other campaigners for social justice to discuss the new challenges brought about by the global crises and  civil society responses.

The Assembly will come up with a Strategy Plan covering advocacy and capacity building programs for 2012-2014, and elect a new Coordinating Committee in charge of implementing that strategy until the next Global Assembly in 2013.

The Global Assembly formally opens on Tuesday, July 12, with Vice President Jejomar Binay to deliver the keynote address. Aside from Social Watch members, others expected to attend the summit are international observers, special guests and network funders.

In the morning of July 13, former National Treasurer Prof. Leonor Briones and Lead Convenor of Social Watch Philippines, will speak about the summit’s main theme – that of “claiming democracy and social accountability.”

Group and panel discussions, and thematic workshops will begin in the afternoon. The summit will feature workshops on at least 12 relevant and timely topics among them:
• Social Justice, Anti-poverty and Redistribution Strategies
• Gender and Social Movements
• Climate Justice
• Budget Issues and Budget Advocacy
• Future for the Millennium Development Goals after 2015
• Migrations, Convention on Migrations and Convention on Domestic Work
• Sustainable Development - The road to Rio 2012
• Justice, Democracy and Human Rights - New Strategies and Challenges after the "Arab Spring" 

Created in 1995, Social Watch is an international network of citizens’ organizations in the struggle to eradicate poverty and its causes, end all forms of discrimination and racism, ensure an equitable distribution of wealth and the realization of human rights. 

Social Watch aims to achieve its objectives through a comprehensive strategy of advocacy, awareness-building, monitoring, organizational development and networking. Moreover, it promotes people-centered sustainable development.

Social Watch holds governments, the UN system and international organizations accountable for the fulfillment of national, regional and international commitments to eradicate poverty. (30)

Download Press Release (.doc format)

Made possible thanks to the funding and support of the European Commission and Oxfam Novib.
 

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