Despite claims by some politicians and pundits in the mainstream press that the “light at the end of the tunnel” of the curren economic crisis is becoming visible, less optimistic analysts confirm that this global downturn continues to worsen, with UN DESA predicting that the global per capita growth rate for 2009 will shrink -3.4%, and the OECD affirming that the volume of international trade is likely to shrink 13% this year in comparison with 2008 levels.
Behind these chilling statistics lie tragic consequences for people, especially workers, small farmers and the poor, who are being pushed into situations of even greater economic vulnerability. In addition, they imply the possibility of further degradation of our already all-too-fragile environment. However, the voices of these forgotten victims of the crisis have been absent from the exclusionary venues in which policymakers and business leaders are designing the possible solutions to this global economic meltdown.
Due to this, a broad-based coalition of international, national, and local civil society organizations and networks, is organizing the “Peoples´ Voices on the Crisis” event today in New York City, in order to showcase the real human and environmental impacts of the crisis, as well as to provide a space for civil society activists to discuss how to build a global movement to ensure that these potential solutions to the crisis are built upon the principles of respect for human rights and the promotion of environmental sustainability.
Take action:
Come to the “Peoples’ Voices on the Crisis” forum today
Date: Saturday 20 June, 2009
Time: 1:00-6:00pm
Venue: Church of the Holy Trinity
316 E. 88th Street
New York
Check out Social Watch for more information about Peoples’ Voices on the Crisis, and for the summary document, videos, photos and more from the event.
People impacted by the economic crisis from around the world gather to give voice to the forgotten, marginalized
Responses to the current economic crisis have been inadequate and fail to fully address the myriad of related global crises, such as food security and climate change. An international coalition of ‘working’ people directly impacted by these crises, and civil society organizations, will meet in a public forum to deliver this message to world leaders in advance of a UN Conference on the economic crisis on 20 June from 1pm to 6pm at the historic Church of the Holy Trinity in New York. Miguel D’Escoto Brockmann, the current President of the UN General Assembly and the convener of the Conference, will deliver a keynote address.
“In the midst of the most serious economic downturn since the Great Depression, we now have the opportunity and the responsibility to search for solutions that take into account the interests of all nations, the rich and the poor, the large and the small,” Mr. Brockmann has said.
The immediate impacts of the economic crisis on stock prices, private pension funds and access to lines of credit have been apparent and well-reported. But the precise consequences of the financial meltdown for working men and women – across the globe – have been less obvious and have received far less attention. Indeed, only recently has data been reported that describes the deep impact of the economic crisis on developing countries, who moreover played little role in the creation of the crisis, organizers say.
People’s Voices on the Crisis will give voice to those that have felt the impact of the crisis and whose stories have thus far received little attention. The event will showcase the testimonies of grassroots activists from diverse regions of the world working with many of the world’s forgotten victims, who will give evidence on how the financial, as well as food, energy and climate change crises, are affecting their lives and their work.
“We believe that the current economic crisis is the result not merely of misinformation, lax regulation or simple hubris. Rather, it is the result of a deeply flawed system that perpetuates crises in food security, in the environment as well as in finance and economics,” says Roberto Bissio, Coordinator of Social Watch and one of the organizers.
The forum will also address a more hopeful future, as advocates will offer their proposals on overcoming the current crisis and in the process develop a new economic system that is built on the rights – and in the service - of all people. The outcome of the Hearing will be a set of recommendations to be delivered to world leaders gathered at the UN Conference on the Economic Crisis that will begin the following Monday.
Conveners: Social Watch, Eurostep, LDC Watch, Institute for Policy Studies, Global Policy Forum, Center of Concern, ESCR-Net, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, Global-Local Links Project, Jubilee USA Network, Jubilee South, GCAP Feminist Task Force, Alliance for Responsible Trade, Women’s Environment and Development Organization, International Council for Adult Education, UN Non-Governmental Liaison Service, Global Action on Aging, Latindadd, US Human Rights Network, CONGO Social Development Committee, Sub-Committee on the Eradication of Poverty, Hemispheric Social Alliance, Womens’ Working Group on Financing for Development, Medical Mission Sisters International, World Federation of United Nations Associations, Alliance for Responsible Trade, International Youth and Student Movement for the United Nations.
- Draft Agenda “Peoples Voices on the Crisis”
Welcome and presentation of event agenda (10 mins)
Jana Silverman (Social Watch)
Opening remarks (30 mins):
Father Miguel D’Escoto, President of the UN General Assembly
Thematic panels of testimonials (45-60 mins for each thematic panel):
Gender rights and the crisis – moderator: Diana Aguiar, IGTN
- Niemat Kuku (Gender Research and Training Center, Sudan)
- Sonon Blanche (Social Watch Benin)
- Milena Kadieva (Gender Research Foundation, Bulgaria)
- Patricia Jaramillo (Campana Comercio con Justicia, Colombia)
Short videos (5 mins)
Rights of indigenous peoples and ethnic minorities– moderator: Rosa Lizarde
- representative of women of color network in NYC
Transitional piece (poetry reading or video – 5 mins)
1st Moderated discussion session (30 mins) moderator: Tom Loudon, Alliance for Responsible Trade
Decent work and economic security – moderator: Jose Schiffino, CSEA
- Gemma Adaba, ITUC
- Bhairavi Desai, NYC Taxi Workers Alliance
- Jocelyn Gill-Campbell, Domestic Workers United
Short videos (5 mins)
Social rights and social security – moderator – Radhika Balakrishnan
- Ray Onyegu (Social Watch Nigeria)
- Arjun Karki (LDC Watch, Nepal)
- Marcela Ballara (International Council on Adult Education)
- Susanne Paul, (Global Action on Aging)
- Verena Winkler (Eurostep, Belgium)
Short videos (5 mins)
Environmental sustainability – moderator – Abiosseh Davis, Center of Concern
- Marta Benavides (GCAP Feminist Task Force, El Salvador)
- Athena Peralta (Public Witness)
- Jane Rensom O.Carm. (New Orleans)
- Nadia Johnson (Just Food and WEDO, NYC)
2nd Moderated discussion session (30 mins) moderator: Nicholas Lusiani, ESCR-Net
Analysis and closing remarks (60 mins) moderator: Roberto Bissio, Social Watch
- Martin Khor (South Centre)
- Elyzabeth Peredo (Hemispheric Social Alliance and Fundación Solon, Bolivia)
- Tanya Dawkins (Global-Local Links Project, Miami FL)
- Jessica Walker Beaumont (AFSC, NYC)
