A call to social movements around the world to protest the G20 Summit in Seoul

THE PEOPLE WILL NOT CONTINUE TO PAY FOR THE CRISIS.

Join the People's Week of Collective Actions in Seoul, November 6 to 12, 2010 

Background 

The financial earthquake that hit at the end of 2008 - the most recent expression of the grave systemic crisis of the neo-liberal capitalist model (also manifested by the climate, food prices, energy and employment crises, plus relentless poverty) - continues to spread throughout the world, showing its tragic face to the peoples in both the rich and poor countries of the planet.

Global powers reacted immediately to the crisis, coordinating their efforts to save the system, which, as the crisis clearly shows, is responsible for growing inequality and poverty in the world. The leaders of the most powerful countries united in the G8 (1) decided to give a new configuration to the G20 (2) by inviting the Heads of State of this select group of large and 'emerging' economies to join them and Finance ministers at G20 summits. Claiming to be the premier forum for global economic governance, the revamped and strengthened version of the G20 seeks to establish itself as the centre of global power, turning its back on the other 172 countries in the United Nations that, coincidentally, just happen to be, for the most part, the world's poorest.

The inclusion of "emerging" countries of the Global South is not a sign of the G8 altruistically consulting and joining hands with the developing countries, but rather a change in its tactics. The G8 decided to include these developing countries in its exclusive club in order to 1) effectively prevent South-South alliances from developing further and stifle criticisms of the neo-liberal model, 2) shore up the G8's dwindling legitimacy and 3) gain access to foreign exchange reserves accumulating in the "emerging" countries. By acquiring access to foreign exchange reserves in global south countries, the ‘old’ powers of the G-8 were able to temporarily salvage the financial system from collapse and revive the ailing International Monetary Fund and other International Financial Institutions. In turn, these reinvigorated IFIs have since gone on the offensive again with their structural adjustment programs, this time not only in the South, but also in the North.

Inclusion however does not mean equal participation. As can be seen, the real decision-making powers remain with the former G8 and their corporations. Furthermore, expansion does not also translate into legitimacy. The G20 is just as equally illegitimate and undemocratic as the G8. It is a non-elected and non-representative body that does not and should not represent nor decide on the economic and political directions of the entire world.

And just like the G8, the G20’s real aim is not to solve the crisis, but rather to revive the neo-liberal regime. The G20’s “active” measures to supposedly save all the world’s economies betray its true agenda and interests. Ideas initially introduced in its debates (namely the proposals for financial transaction taxes and measures to control tax havens) have been replaced by a push for fiscal austerity policies, further trade and investment liberalization and the fostering of new business and even more financial speculation through the promotion of false market solutions for the climate crisis, namely carbon trading. Even its financial reforms impose no real democratic control and accountability over the operations of banks or multinational corporations.

Against all the evidence of a failed economic model, which not only has plunged millions of people worldwide into poverty (including many of the people living in G20 countries) but also continues to contribute daily to the destruction of the very basis of life on the planet, the G20 governments continue to promote business as usual.

To make matters worse, the G20 --- which originally emerged to contain the crisis --- now aims to transform itself into the political space with the power to define the course of the world economy and governance, continuously broadening its agenda to include issues such as climate change, subsidies to fossil fuels and even development aid, while doing little of real substance in these areas. And with the World Trade Organization (WTO) bogged down in stalled negotiations, it is evident that countries are focusing their efforts more and more on the G20, which has increasingly become the centre of debate and decisions on issues of the global economy.

Our demands 

We, social movements and organizations, must halt the G20's agenda and undemocratic process, while continuing to build from below socially and ecologically sustainable and democratic alternatives. We demand: 

- a change in the economic model, which implies putting an end to neo-liberalism and moving towards a new model based on systemic change and for the benefit and well-being of all peoples in the world (rather than corporate profits), including the adoption of bold economic strategies to create decent jobs, as well as a new international financial architecture; 

- a halt to market based “solutions” for climate change and the anti-democratic Copenhagen Accord (a clear step backwards from the positive aspects of the Kyoto Protocol), and the immediate adoption of profound changes to our current system of production, distribution and consumption; 

- an end to a global food system based on price speculation by agribusiness corporations and its replacement by a system of food production and distribution that supports small farmers and promotes food sovereignty; 

- a suspension of trade negotiations at the WTO and of bi-regional or bilateral free trade and investment regimes until a new international agreement has been reached on trade and investment rules based on truly just and sustainable development for all.

Movements fighting for democratic alternatives and social and climate justice must unite to demand real change and denounce the G20 as a threat to the people of the world and an emerging target for disputing global power.

The Time to Mobilize is Now!

Join the People's Week of Collective Actions in Seoul, November 6 to 12, 2010 

The Korean People's G20 Response Action - a broad coalition of Korean labour unions, social movement organizations and progressive NGOs formed in order to respond to the G20 Seoul Summit - is calling upon international social movements to join the People's Week of Collective Actions in Seoul from November 6th to 12th, 2010. During this week of action, the main activities will be: 

- Opening and closing ceremonies (November 6 and 12, respectively) 

- National Workers' Rally (November 7th) 

- International People's Conference in Seoul (November 7th to 10th) 

- Press Conference to announce the Seoul Declaration protesting the G20 

- Mass Rally and March (November 11th) 

We call on social movements and organizations from around the world to unite forces in solidarity with friends and comrades in Korea during the People's Week of Collective Action in Seoul.

For this, we strongly urge everyone to: 

• send representatives to participate in the coalition activities in Seoul during the G20 Summit in November; 

• organize a solidarity action in your own country to highlight what's happening in Seoul during the G20; 

• meet with government officials in your own country prior to the Seoul G20 to raise critical issues and gather intelligence.

EVERYONE TO SEOUL TO STOP THE CORPORATE AGENDA: END BUSINESS AS USUAL AND WORK TOWARDS SYSTEM CHANGE!!

 

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1 Countries participating in the G8 are: Canada, United States, UK, France, Japan, Germany, Italy and Russia.

2 G8 countries + Brasil, Argentina, South Africa, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Australia, China, South Korea, India, Indonesia, Turkey and the EU.

 

List of signatories

Regional and International Networks

Asian Peasant Coalition 

Africa Europe Faith & Justice Network( AEFJN) 

Agriculture and Trade Working Group of the Hemispheric Social Alliance 

Agribusiness Action Initiatives in Latin America 

Asian Pacific Research Network 

Focus on the Global 

Hemispheric Social Alliance 

International Gender and Trade Network (IGTN) 

Jubilee South Americas 

La Via Campesina 

Latin American Network on Debt, Development and Rights (Latindadd) 

NouSud 

Plataforma Interamericana de Derechos Humanos, Democracia y Desarrollo (PIDHDD) 

Social Watch 

Seattle to Brussels Network (S2B) 

World March of Women 

 

National organizations, networks and movements

21st Century Korean University Student Association South Korea

Action for Energy Justice South Korea

Agenda de Mujeres de Desamparados - ACAMUDE Costa Rica

Alianza Social Continental Capítulo Perú Peru

Alianza Social Continental Centroamerica Central America

All Nepal Peasants Federation Nepal

All Together Korea

Alliance for Responsible Trade (ART) United States

Alliance of Progressive Labour (APL) Philippines

Alternative Forum of University Students South Korea

ATTAC Argentina Argentina

ATTAC Austria Austria

ATTAC Catalunya Catalunya

ATTAC France France

ATTAC Germany Germany

ATTAC Japan Japan

ATTAC Norway Norway

ATTAC Québec Québec

ATTAC Spain Spain

ATTAC Vlaanderen Vlaanderen

Basic Income Korean Network South Korea

Bharatiya Krishak Samaj India

Bia´lii, Asesoría e Investigación, A.C Mexico

Brazilian Network for the Integration of the People (Rebrip) Brazil

Brazilian Network on Multilateral Financial Institutions (Rede Brasil) Brazil

Center for Education and Communication (CEC) India

Center for Energy Politics (CEP) South Korea

Center of Concern United States

Centro de Investigación Sobre Inversión y Comercio, CEICOM El Salvador

Chile Sustentable Chile

Citizen’s Coalition for Economic Justice South Korea

Citizen’s Movement for Environmental Justice South Korea

Civil Society Network for Financial regulation and taxation on speculative capital South Korea

Civil Society Organisation Network in Korea South Korea

Coalition of Commemorating Groups for Martyrs and Victims Democratic Movement

MINGAHYU Human Rights Group South Korea

Colectivo de Estudio y Vivencia Intercultural Nexos Culturales Ecuador

Colectivo de Mujeres Acción Política por la Equidad (APE) Ecuador

Colibri e.V, Beitraege fuer ein Menschenwuerdige Welt Germany

Comisión Nacional de Enlace (CNE) Costa Rica

Common Frontiers Canada

Consejo de Investigaciones e Información en Desarrollo (CIID) Guatemala

Corea Institute for New Society South Korea

Corporate Europe Observatory Europe

Council of Canadians Canada

CRBM-Mani Tese Italy

Democratic Labor Party-Korea (DLP-Korea) South Korea

Ditsö Costa Rica

Ecologistas en Acción Spain

Ecuador Decide Ecuador

Energy & Climate Policy Institute for Just Transition (ECPI) South Korea

Fair Italy

Farmers Pharmacy South Korea

Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec - FIQ Québec

Federation of Independent Trade Unions and NGOs (FITUN) Trinidad & Tobago

FOCO Foro Ciudadano de Participacion por la Justicia y los Derechos Humanos Argentina

Foro de Mujeres Afrodescendientes Costa Rica

Foro de mujeres de Occidente Costa Rica

Global Call to Action Against Poverty Korea (GCAP-Korea) South Korea

Green Korea United South Korea

IBON Foundation Philippines

Imagine Institute South Korea

Iniciativa Paraguaya de Integración de los Pueblos Paraguay

Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services (IDEALS) Philippines

Institute for Global Justice Indonesia

Institute for Global Political Economy South Korea

Institute for New World South Korea

Institute for Research in Collaborationist Activities South Korea

Institute of 21st Century Korea Research South Korea

Joint Committee with Migrants in Korea (JCMK) South Korea

Jubilee South Brasil Brazil

Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) Philippines

Korea Alliance of Progressive Movements South Korea

Korea Federation for Environment Movement (KFEM) / FOE Korea South Korea

Korea Labor & Social Network on Energy South Korea

Korea NGO's Energy Network South Korea

Korea Progressive Academy Council South Korea

Korean Clerical and Financial Workers Association South Korea

Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) South Korea

Korean Federation of Medical Groups for Health Rights South Korea

Korean Peasants’ League (KPL) South Korea

Korean People's Solidarity Against Poverty South Korea

Korean Urban Poor Association South Korea

Korean Women Peasant Association South Korea

Korean Women's Alliance South Korea

Korean Women's Association United (KWAU) South Korea

La Unidad Ecologica Salvadoreña - UNES El Salvador

Labour Human Rights Centre South Korea

Labour, Health and Human Rights Development Centre Nigeria

Marcha Mundial de las Mujeres Perú Peru

Migrant Workers Rights Watch, Korea South Korea

Movimiento Social Nicaraguense Otro Mundo es Posible Nicaragua

NANUMMUNHWA_ Global Peace Activities South Korea

National Association of Professors for Democratic Society (NAPDS) South Korea

National Democratic Association of Street Vendors South Korea

National Students March South Korea

Network for Women Rights Pakistan

New Community Institute South Korea

New Progressive Party-Korea (NPP-Korea) South Korea

"No to War, Yes to Peace" Coalition South Korea

Observatorio de la Deuda en la Globalización (ODG) Spain

Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) Trinidad & Tobago

People not Profit South Korea

People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD) South Korea

People’s Solidarity for Social Progress (PSSP) South Korea

Platform for Alternative Development (PAPDA) Haiti

Polaris Institute Canada

Progressive Strategy Council South Korea

PUMALAG (Peoples Network against Liberalization of Agriculture) Philippines

Red Costarricense de Agendas Locales de Mujeres- REDCALM Costa Rica

Red de Acción Ciudadana Frente al Libre Comercio e Inversiones SINTI TECHAN El Salvador

Red Mexicana de Acción frente al Libre Comercio (RMALC) Mexico

Resistance and Solidarity against Agrochemical TNCs (RESIST Network) Philippines

Revolutionary Workers' Front South Korea

Serikat Petani Indonesia Indonesia

Servicio Paz y Justicia Paraguay Paraguay

Sindicato de Professores de Nova Friburgo e Região Brazil

Socialist Party-Korea (SP-Korea) South Korea

Solidarité France

Solidarity for Street Vendors and Informal Workers South Korea

SpecWatch Korea South Korea

Students' Alliance against G20 South Korea

Students Supporting Committee for Prisoners of Conscience South Korea

Tanggol Magsasaka (Peasant Network for Land, Justice and Human Rights) Philippines

The Committee for a Socialist Workers' party (CSWP) South Korea

Transnational Institute (TNI) The Netherlands

Transparency International Korea South Korea

War on Want United Kingdom

Workers Institute of Social Science, South Korea South Korea

World Development Movement United Kingdom

Youth & Student Alliance for Implementation of June 15 Joint Declaration South Korea