************ Urgent Announcement ************** INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE Economic Sovereignty in a Globalising World: Creating People Centred Economics for the 21st Century 23-26 March 1999 Bangkok, Thailand ********************************************* REGISTRATION For more information and registration, please go to our website http://focusweb.org and click to 'Upcoming Focus Conference' If you have difficulties sending the registration form from the website, please print the completed form and fax to us at 66 2 255 9976. You will also find the registration form at the end of this message. You can fill it in and send it to Jim at [EMAIL PROTECTED] All registrations will be acknowledged within three days, so if you do not hear from us please contact Jim at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Registrations close on 7 March 1999 PLEASE NOTE: ALL SPEAKERS, PANELISTS AND PARTICIPANTS MUST REGISTER USING THE FORM ON THE WEBSITE OR AT THE END OF THIS MESSAGE **************************************** ABOUT THE CONFERENCE Economic Sovereignty in a Globalising World Creating People-Centred Economics for the 21st Century Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University Bangkok, March 24-26, 1999 WHY ARE WE HAVING THIS CONFERENCE? While financial analysts assess the global financial crisis in terms of stock market indexes and currency values, the real impact is being borne by the millions of people who are being pushed further into poverty as we approach the new millennium. Generations will inherit a debt not of their making, and as the human costs of the crisis continue to mount, speculators and currency traders escape virtually unscathed. Uncontrolled speculative investment and currency trading have a devastating effect on economic stability and long-term development. The crisis has shown that national economies no longer have control over vital aspects of economic policy, and that they too are subject to the whims of the market. The inability of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank to respond to the crisis with appropriate policies has called into question their capacity to understand and react to the needs of people in a rapidly changing global economy. A growing number of critics are now calling for a thorough review of these institutions' policies and decision making processes. The dire human consequences of this demand our attention. It is imperative that international economic relations be reviewed and reshaped to control speculation, regulate financial markets and reduce inequalities between nations, while promoting economic democracy and fostering sustainable development. All these measures and reforms should aim to give local communities, national governments and regional groupings the chance to pursue economic policies which meet the needs of people, instead of the markets. WHAT ARE WE AIMING TO DO? Develop a deeper understanding of the nature and role of financial capital and its impact on local, national and regional economic development; closely examine existing and proposed regulatory mechanisms, with the aim of regulating financial capital, fostering productive investment and promoting sustainable 'people-centred' development. Review national, regional and international financial institutions and their programs; propose new mechanisms and institutions, or reforms to those already in existence, in order to increase their accountability and democracy. Create a platform of joint action that articulates agreed principles, defines common objectives and demands, and produces concrete proposals for economic reform. WHY IS THIS CONFERENCE DIFFERENT? The unique feature of this conference is that it brings together individuals and networks from all regions of the globe at a time when the issues of financial regulation and financial architecture are high on the international political agenda. During the conference, there will be four working groups, focusing on the areas of: Institutional Reform & New Institutions; Market Reform & Regulatory Mechanisms; National Political & Policy Reform; and People-Centred Alternatives. Each working group will identify priorities, articulate demands and proposals, and develop education and campaign strategies. Each participant will select a working group for the whole conference. Plenaries have been scheduled each day, which explore a broad range of topics related to the conference. There will also be in-depth panels providing information on pertinent issues, such as local responses to the crisis, speculation taxes and capital controls. WHO IS SPONSORING THE CONFERENCE? The conference is being hosted by Focus on the Global South, and is co-sponsored by Development Alternatives for Women in a New Era (DAWN), the Structural Adjustment Participatory Review Initiatives Network (SAPRIN) and Focus on the Global South. Focus, DAWN and SAPRIN have already initiated discussions with groups worldwide. We hope that national and regional working groups can informally prepare for the conference, contribute to the development of the agenda, identify key participants and follow-up after the conference. Invited speakers will be asked to prepare a short discussion paper on a given topic. The deadline for papers is March 7, 1999. This will allow time for the papers to be processed and posted to the conference website: http://www.focusweb.org. Panelists will prepare a brief synopsis of key issues, problems and policy recommendations related to their topic, also due by March 7, 1999. It will be assumed that all participants will have read the conference papers beforehand so that the conference itself can focus on the debate of substantive issues and preparing an agenda for action. We are excited about this conference and its potential for developing an international network armed with strategies and committed to action. We look forward to seeing all of you in Bangkok in March. ********************************************* CONFERENCE PROGRAMME (To Be Finalised) Evening of 23 March 1999 Opening session Welcome by representative of Thai peoples' organisation Welcome by Chair of the Board of Focus on the Global South, Gothom Arya, Election Commission of Thailand Keynote speech: Rubens Ricupero, Secretary-General United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (invited) Plenary I Why are we having this conference now? A short history of neo-liberalism: twenty years of elite economics and emerging opportunities for structural change Susan George, author, France Strategies and alliances for effective action Walden Bello, Focus on the Global South, Thailand Plenary II Global financial markets How the financial casino works. Hazel Henderson, author Can finance be controlled? Manfred Bienefeld, Carleton University, Canada Governance of the global economy Kamal Malhotra, Focus on the Global South, Thailand Plenary III The management and prevention of financial crises (to be advised) The link between national and international financial controls Walden Bello and Marco Mezzera, Focus on the Global South, Thailand Regulation or reform: Who benefits from establishment proposals? Patrick Bond, Wits University, Republic of South Africa & Nicola Bullard, Focus on the Global South, Thailand Plenary IV Beyond the Keynesian consensus What is Keynesian economics and what are its limitations? Jayati Ghosh, Jawaharlal Nehru University, India Women: a missing factor in traditional economics (to be advised) Production, scarcity and the environment Dr Elmar Altvater, FU Berlin The Keynesian State. Yash Tandon, International South Group Network, Zimbabwe Plenary V Political strategies and campaigns Turning the international agenda into local action - lessons from the MAI and 'fast-track' campaigns: Lori Wallach, Public Citizen, USA Obstacles to and opportunities for local action: Forum of the Poor, Thailand Parallel panels scheduled over three days, four at a time 1. The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank The IMF in Russia: Boris Kagarlitsky, economist, Russia What lies beyond the Washington consensus? Joseph Stiglitz, Chief Macroeconomist, World Bank (invited) Is the Washington consensus really cracking? Robin Broad, American University, Washington DC Is the IMF reformable? Richard Leaver, Flinders University, South Australia 2. Food, natural resources and finance The financial crisis and food security in Indonesia: Oba'dullah Khan, former Asia regional director for FAO (invited) Natural resources and the environment: silent victim of the financial crisis: Emmy Hafild, WAHLI, Indonesia Food as a commodity - a case study of shrimps: Yadfon Association, Thailand and Peter Riggs, Rockerfeller Brothers Fund, USA Alternative Farmers Network, Fisherfolks Network and Natural Resources Network, Thailand La Via Campesina 3. Finance, foreign direct investment, foreign ownership and privatisation Jayati Ghosh, Jawaharlal Nehru University, India Charles Abugre, Third World Network, Ghana Jessica Woodruff, World Development, UK The Korean experience of FDI and foreign ownership: Joosung Jun, Ehwa University, Korea Breaking the dependence on foreign finance: Patrick Bond, Wits University South Africa Privatisation: a case study of Malaysia: Subramanian Pillay, University of Science, Malaysia Privatisation with peoples' participation: Bangchak Petroleum Company, Ltd. Thailand 4. International measures: Bankruptcy and debt Standstill and orderly workouts - prevention & cure? (top be advised) An international Chapter 11: Zhi Cui, Massachusetts Institute of Technology When dictators pass debt to democrats: The Doctrine of Odious Debt and the legacy of apartheid-caused debt in Southern Africa, Dr Molefe Tsele, Jubilee 2000, South Africa 5. International measures: Speculation taxes Filomeno Santa Ana, Action for Economic Reform, Philippines Is the Tobin Tax do-able? Roger Schmidt, Fellow of the Canadian International Development Research Centre , Vietnam Is the Tobin tax a red herring? Bruno Jetin, ATTAC, France 6. National measures: Capital controls The debate about capital controls: Sumangala Damidara Country studies: Policy objectives and effectiveness Taiwan and India: Jayati Ghosh and CP Chandrasekar Malaysia: Martin Khor, Third World Network, Malaysia Chile: Andreas Uthoff B., CEPA (invited) 7. National measures: Banks and financial institutions Case studies of Thai and Mexican financial sector reform: who wins, who loses? Paiboon Wattanasiritham, Foundation for Thailand Rural Reconstruction Movement & Enrique Valencia, Observatorio Social, Mexico (invited) The role of Central Banks and the Bank for International Settlements 8. National measures: Budgets and taxes Democratising the Budget: Leonor Briones, National Treasurer, Philippines (invited) Peoples participation in budget analysis: Madhusudhan Mistry, DISHA, India (invited) 9. Local responses Alternatives to big banks: community currencies and co-operatives: Thai Savings Group, Thailand and SEWA, India, Vijay Mahajan, BASIX, India (invited), Luis Lopezllera, Promocion del dessarroyo popular, Mexico Microfinancing: market ideology dressed up as development? (to be advised) Case study from Via Campesina 10. National alternatives The myth of the weak state or Belarus: the country that can say no! Boris Kagarlitsky Indonesia: buying back the nation: Faisal Basri, University of Indonesia (invited) Mexico: developing an economic policy from the ground up: Alejandro Nadal, Mexico South Korea: alternatives to the corporate state? KCTU (invited) 11. Regional alternatives Americas Area Alternatives: Alejandro Villamar, RMALC, Mexico and Roberto Bissio, Instituto del Tercer Mindo, Uruguay (invited) ASEAN: clinging together or sinking together? Suthad Setboonsarng, ASEAN Secretariat (invited), Manuel Montes, East West Centre, University of Hawaii (invited) Europe: Miren Etxezarreta, Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona, Spain Japan: The Asian Monetary Fund and the Miyazawa Initiative: Hirakawa Hitoshi, Japan (invited) Pacific Island States: Claire Slatter, DAWN, Henry Wira, Pacific Islands Association of Non-government Organisations, Solomon Islands (invited), Lopeti Senitulu, Pacific Resource Centre, Fiji (invited) Africa: Yassine Fall, Association of African Women on Research and Development, Senegal & Dr Molefe Tesle, Jubilee 2000, South Africa Four core working groups will have scheduled meetings over three days Institutional reforms & new institutions Market reform & regulatory mechanisms National political & policy reform People-centred alternatives *********************************************** ABOUT THE CO-SPONSORS SAPRIN arose out of a major initiative with World Bank President Jim Wolfensohn to assess the impact of various adjustment measures on diverse population groups, economic and social sectors. The Structural Adjustment Participatory Review Initiative (SAPRI) makes proposals to the World Bank and governments for changes in economic adjustment programs and in economic policy making processes. Through this, the SAPRI Network (SAPRIN) seeks to legitimize local knowledge in the analysis of economic-reform programs, and institutionalize grassroots involvement in macroeconomic decision-making. It thereby attempts to help governments and international institutions understand how adjustment measures move through local economies and into peoples' lives. DAWN is a network of women scholars and activists from the economic South who engage in feminist research and and are committed to working for equitable, just and sustainable development. DAWN's current program cycle is emphasizing work at the regional level to connect more closely with the priorities of women's and civil society organizations, and help strengthen their capacity to deal with issues arising from the impacts of globalization. DAWN's research themes provide the central focus for its work at both global and regional levels. These research themes are Political Economy of Globalization, Sexual and Reproductive Rights, Sustainable Livelihoods and Political Restructuring and Social Transformation. Focus on the Global South is dedicated to regional and global policy analysis and advocacy work. Focus also concentrates on linking grassroots experiences to macro level issues such as trade liberalisation and the International Monetary Fund. Focus is working to strengthen the capacity of organisations of the poor and marginalised people of the South, to better analyse and understand the impacts of the globalisation process on their daily lives. FOR MORE INFORMATION Contact Geoffrey Keele on (T) 66 2 218-7363 (F) 66 2 255-9976 or Email at [EMAIL PROTECTED] ************************************************ REGISTRATION FORM SPEAKERS & PANELISTS Economic Sovereignty in a Globalising World : Creating People-Centred Economics for the 21st Century March 23-26, 1999 Bangkok, Thailand Name Organisation Position Postal address Country Telephone Facsimile Email Website Flight schedules *participants should arrive by the evening of 23 March for the opening session * Arrival : Date Flight number * Departure : Date Flight number Estimated airfare cost (US dollars) Reimbursement method * cash * bank transfer You will need to bring all receipts and your bank account details to the conference before we can process your reimbursement. You can claim visa fee, departures taxes and airport transfers. All accommodation and meals will be paid by the organisers in Bangkok. Accommodation You will be booked at the university hotel or a hotel nearby and accommodation and meals will be fully paid for the duration of the conference. If you have to stay longer due to flight schedule restrictions, the conference will cover costs. Any other costs, for example extra nights, telephone, laundry, etc. are your own responsibility. Working Groups Selection Working groups will meet throughout the conference to draft the conference action plan. Please indicate which group you would like to join : * I. Market reform & regulatory mechanisms * II. Institutional reforms & new institutions * III. National political & policy reform * IV. People-Centred alternatives (delete the groups you DO NOT select) Dietary requirement (if any) Please return your registration to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or fax number 662-255-9976 attention to Jim by March 5, 1999. ************************************************ REGISTRATION FORM PARTICIPANTS Economic Sovereignty in a Globalising World : Creating People-Centred Economics for the 21st Century March 23-26, 1999 Bangkok, Thailand Name Organisation Position Postal address Country Telephone Facsimile Email Website Note: participants should arrive by the evening of 23 March for the opening session * Do you need any financial assistance ? yes no If yes, how much is your airfare ? (US dollars) Can you or your organisation offer financial assistance to other participants ? yes no If so, how much ? Reimbursement (if applicable) * cash * bank transfer (delete the option you DO NOT select) Please note that accommodation will be receive an accommodation allowance of US$25 per night (including breakfast) not the actual cost. You will need to bring all receipts and your bank account details to the conference before your claim can be processed. Working Groups Selection Working groups will meet throughout the conference to draft the conference action plan. Please indicate which group you would like to join : * I. Market reform & regulatory mechanisms * II. Institutional reforms & new institutions * III. National political & policy reform * IV. People-centred alternatives (delete the groups you DO NOT select) Dietary requirement (if any) Accommodation You need to arrange your own accommodation. Participants receiving financial assistance will receive an accommodation allowance (including breakfast) of US$25 per night, not the actual cost. Any additional cost will be the responsibility of the participants. See Accommodation (on website) for hotel listings. Please return your registration to [EMAIL PROTECTED] or by fax number 662-255-9976 attention to Jim by March 5, 1999. ************************************************* Focus on the Global South (FOCUS) c/o CUSRI, Chulalongkorn University Bangkok 10330 THAILAND Tel: 662 218 7363/7364/7365/7383 Fax: 662 255 9976 E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web Page http://www.focusweb.org Staff email addresses: ---------------------- Walden Bello [EMAIL PROTECTED] Kamal Malhotra [EMAIL PROTECTED] Chanida Bamford [EMAIL PROTECTED] Nicola Bullard [EMAIL PROTECTED] Ehito Kimura [EMAIL PROTECTED] Li Kheng Poh [EMAIL PROTECTED] Marco Mezzera [EMAIL PROTECTED] Regina Abesamis [EMAIL PROTECTED] Soontaree Narkviroj [EMAIL PROTECTED] Jim Charoonpatarapong [EMAIL PROTECTED] Ranee Hassarungsee [EMAIL PROTECTED] Mayuree Ruechakieattikul [EMAIL PROTECTED] ____________________________________________________ -- ATTAC International working list - Liste de travail internationale For any information please email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.alexia.net.au/~www/mhutton/index.html Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
