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World Bank Boycott
The
idea behind this boycott is to hit the World Bank where it
hurts most – investments in World Bank bonds. I will not
try to explain it all here but below you will find a good
description and also if you check out www.aseed.net
and look at the World Bank Boycott bit you should get a good
understanding of the project. We could undertake this as our
international economics campaign??
I
think that it is all well and good to protest vocally
against the IMF and the World Bank but here is a chance to
do something practical and constructive (well maybe
destructive) about it.
Resisting
Capitalism with Capital Itself: Financial Activism and
Beyond
Meeting
and Skill Share in Amsterdam, March 21-25, 2002
Two
spaces at this meeting have been kept for Gluaiseacht
members. You
would probably get 70% travel costs back if you travel over
land. Anyone interested please get in touch with me at ballyhaunis@care2.com
. It is not necessary to have a wide knowledge of this
subject before travelling as you are going to learn (and
then maybe teach others us you come home!!). Also anyone
with any interest in getting involved please get in touch.
Below
is a description on the meeting and some more information on
the campaign.
When
A SEED launched the World Bank Boycott in Genova this past
summer, it joined the growing ranks of people that are
utilising the very tools of capitalism to resist capitalism.
We have always known that multinational institutions,
such as the World Bank, are responsive not to social and
environmental concerns, but rather to money, profit, and
power. So,
while we work to stop these harmful institutions and
corporations because of their detrimental impacts on people
and the earth, the best tactic may actually be to turn the
lifeline of these institutions – money – against them.
For
example, the World Bank receives 80% of the funds it uses to
make ‘development’ loans to countries in the Global
South by selling bonds on private capital markets, via private financial firms, to trade unions,
pension funds, universities, life insurance schemes,
churches, mutual funds, governments, and other civic groups.
This means that we, ordinary people, can stop the
World Bank through a boycott of their bonds in much the same
manner as the anti-apartheid movement.
And using similar strategies, there are many other
such successful campaigns throughout Europe – such as the
Ilisu Dam Campaign that opposed Balfour Beatty and People
and Planet’s Ethics for USS.
Come to Amsterdam this spring to explore with us the future of financial
activism, ethical investment, and other such ingenious ways
we can work to challenge the various components of
capitalism. The program is flexible depending on the participants, but
will most likely include:
*Exploration of successful examples of financial activism
*How
to get started with financial activism
*Skill
shares for people already involved
*International
strategy coordination
*Exploration
of grassroots alternatives
*Workshops
on the structure of financial markets and
the social organisation of economies
*Lots
of fun!
Deadline
and Applications
Most
applications should have been received by February 22, 2002,
but if this date has past, please still apply and we’ll
see if we can fit you in.
To
apply, send us your contact details – your name, address
and telephone, fax, and email – and more importantly, tell
us why you would like to participate in the meeting.
If you are involved in a campaign and/or a group that
deals with these issues, please include a brief description.
If you work on or are passionate about other issues,
please also let us know that.
Know, however, that previous involvement is not
essential. Also,
please tell us if you can contribute to the meeting and how,
such as through a workshop on a topic of which you have
knowledge or experience, through translation, etc.
English
will be the main language used, but we will strive to offer
translation where necessary.
Please let us know if you require translation.
Additionally, if you will need a visa for the
Netherlands, please let us know and make sure to send your
application as soon as possible.
Also make sure to inform us if you need travel
reimbursement and how much.
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