> ************ 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 two regiastration forms at the end of this message: one
> for invited speakers and panelists and one for participants. You can fill it
> in and send it to Jim at jim at focusweb.org
>
> All registrations will be acknowledged within three days, so if you do not
> hear from us please contact Jim at jim at focusweb.org
>
> If you are requesting financial support, please note that the available
> funds are very limited and priority will be given to participants from
> developing countries. You are urged to seek funding from other sources.
>
> 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
> g.keele at focusweb.org
>
> ************************************************
>
> 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 jim at focusweb.org 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 jim at focusweb.org 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: admin at focusweb.org
> Web Page http://www.focusweb.org
>
> Staff email addresses:
> ----------------------
> Walden Bello W.Bello at focusweb.org
> Kamal Malhotra K.Malhotra at focusweb.org
> Chanida Bamford C.Bamford at focusweb.org
> Nicola Bullard N.Bullard at focusweb.org
> Ehito Kimura E.Kimura at focusweb.org
> Li Kheng Poh Lk.Poh at focusweb.org
> Marco Mezzera M.Mezzera at focusweb.org
> Regina Abesamis R.Abesamis at focusweb.org
> Soontaree Narkviroj Soontaree at focusweb.org
> Jim Charoonpatarapong Jim at focusweb.org
> Ranee Hassarungsee Ranee at focusweb.org
> Mayuree Ruechakieattikul Nok at focusweb.org
> ____________________________________________________
>
> **********************************
> In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed
> without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the
> included information for research and educational purposes.
>
> Margrete Strand Rangnes
> MAI Project Coordinator
> Public Citizen Global Trade Watch
> 215 Pennsylvania Ave, SE
> Washington DC, 20003 USA
> mstrand at citizen.org
> 202-546 4996, ext. 306
> 202-547 7392 (fax)
>
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