Stop the G20 agenda: 20 countries must not be allowed to decide the fate of the whole world

Social Watch, along with more than 100 social organizations throughout the world, is calling to mobilize against the false solutions to the global crisis that have been put forward by the Group of 20 developed countries (G20). Organizations in all five continents claim that the proposed financial reforms will only serve to maintain the financial architecture that brought about the crisis, and that the G20 are not proposing far-reaching measures to tackle the very serious situation the planet is facing.

The global financial crisis that struck in 2008 and its consequences which developing countries are still struggling to cope with, shows yet again that the current global financial architecture only harms the poorest while protecting the most powerful.

In response to the crisis, and in order to maintain the current system responsible for the increasing inequality and poverty in the world, the G8 made only cosmetic changes and gathered leaders of the biggest emerging economies. The new G20 assumed the role of “world economic government” and paid no attention to the fact that other 172 members of the United Nations were left out of discussions.

The “G-club” expansion into G20 did not translate into greater participation since the real decision-making power is still in the hands of the G8. Nor has this superficial change involved new approaches brought by new partners. Instead of opening the door to a new financial architecture that could provide solutions to the crisis, the response was to strengthen the same old system. The measures undertaken, ostensibly designed to save economies in crisis, have promoted financial austerity policies, greater liberalisation in trade and investment, greater financial speculation and market solutions for the climate crisis such as the carbon trade scheme.

This is the background to the 5th G20 summit that takes place in Seoul, Republic of Korea 11-12 November 2010. The main theme of the meeting is the role of the G20 in the post-crisis world, and some of the issues include:  global economic recovery, strengthening of financial system regulations, modernisation of financial institutions and the establishment of a framework for global “sustainable growth”.

This reduced and “select” group of countries have appointed themselves as the best qualified to tackle these matters, and what comes out of this meeting will significantly affect development, especially in poorer countries.

In response to this unilateral and illegitimate assumption of power, hundreds of civil society organizations including Social Watch have united under the slogan “20 countries should not be allowed to decide the fate of the world”. This initiative calls on citizen’s movements to put a stop to the G20 Agenda and calls to mobilize in the People’s Week of Collective Action to take place in Seoul, from 6 to 12 November 2010.

The call also urges to move towards a new economic model that is not based on economic performance but on the well-being of the people. A model that looks for answers and solutions through a democratic process; that listens to different voices and acts accordingly; and that seeks an alternative for market solutions to climate change or speculation with food prices.

During the People's Week of Collective Action, the main activities are:

- 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)

See the call for action: http://www.socialwatch.org/node/12269

More information:
The Korean government held the Civil G20 dialogue on 14-15 October in Inchoen, South Korea involving civil society representatives and representatives of each Head of State preparing for the G20 Summit.
Listen to audio interviews and learn more about civil society participation at: http://www.choike.org/nuevo_eng/informes/7964.html