-Caveat Lector- Dave Hartley http://www.Asheville-Computer.com/dave LAUNCH OF A GLOBAL WTO INTERNET DEBATE WHICH LEADERS WILL HEAR The British Council has made a commitment to present world leaders with views on the future of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) expressed in a new online debate at <www.commonwealthvoices.org>. NGOs, activists and citizens across the world are invited to participate. The pitched battles in Seattle, both physical and political, around the World Trade Organisation highlighted the lack of communication between ordinary people and governments and the lack of access to the WTO structure and decision-making processes. The question of who benefits and who controls the processes behind globalisation has been forced to the top of the agenda. The new forum is designed to tackle some of those issues. Access to the WTO processes, which look set to shape the regulation of international trade, is a huge democratic issue. Questions of public interest range from whether agreements to entrench free trade should take precedence over other global treaties (for example on the environment), to whether governments should be allowed to intervene to protect markets such as the media, education and health, which are particularly important to civil society. The one issue everyone seems to agree on is that there needs to be more access and transparency. President Clinton said: "If the WTO expects to have public support the public must see and hear and actually join in our deliberations. That's the only way that they know the process is fair and know their concerns are considered." How can this be achieved? Will an overhaul guarantee greater civil society participation as well as better access for poorer governments? This new project aims to help bridge the gap. Get your voice heard - go to <www.commonwealthvoices.org> ARTICLE 19 <www.article19.org>, the International Centre Against Censorship which campaigns for the promotion and protection freedom of expression, are facilitating the forum. OneWorld <www.oneworld.net>, which harnesses the democratic potential of the internet for human rights and sustainable development, have set up the site. The British Council <www.britishcouncil.org> will present key outcomes of this debate to Commonwealth leaders and other decision-makers. Please circulate, post to groups, link to site and promote offline as appropriate. -- DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance�not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
