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DIÁLOGO (ANÁLISIS Y DEBATE) - Febrero 2002
- Date:
- 09 Feb 2002
- Time:
- 21:40:41
Comments
The general "tone" of your
communications indicates that your regard the government established in Cuba
during a period of emergency as a "regime".
What, specifically, are your objections to the
Caracas Strategic Action Plan and to the Poder Popular institutions? In my
opinion, Poder Popular institutions are unique.
Could you send your objections to the publishers
of the Granma website?
Is there such a thing as a "nation".
The proletariat known no nation: our task is to build solid democratic
institutions that represent the proletariat.
Has "international law" ended.
Imperialists try to transform the fundamental laws of nature into private
prpoerty. In my opinion, that is a "fundamental international law".
David Whitefield
- Date:
- 09 Feb 2002
- Time:
- 22:11:06
Comments
"Revolutionary" Theory & Practice
Comrades and Friends,
During June, 2002, the G8 leaders will meet in
Kananaskis Provincial Park, near Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Between now and the,
a number of forums will be held with the aim of identifying practical
alternatives to the “imperialist system”. Information about these forums can
be obtained from <www.ucalgary.ca>
Joseph Stiglitz has called for discussions aimed
at returning to the Gold Standard.
The host government of Canada has made the
humanitarian catastrophe in Africa the first item on the Agenda. The government
of the United Kingdom has appealed to the world to concentrate work in Sierra
Leon.
Some of you are former students. Your practical
ideas about how to achieve this noble objective can be sent to a close advisor
to the President of the University of Calgary, Dr. John W. Humphrey..
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joseph Stiglitz, premio Nobel de Economía de
2001, es profesor en la Universidad de Columbia.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
El colapso de Argentina dio lugar a la suspensión
de pagos más grande de la historia. Los expertos están de acuerdo en que éste
es sólo el último de una serie de salvamentos encabezados por el FMI que
despilfarraron miles de millones de dólares y no lograron salvar a las economías
que pretendían ayudar. La naturaleza de ese fracaso, sin embargo, está todavía
en discusión. Algunos argumentan que el FMI fue demasiado indulgente; otros,
que fue demasiado severo.
Aquellos que culpan al FMI ven el problema como
provocado por el propio gasto de Argentina, despilfarrador y corrupto. Estos
intentos de culpabilización están equivocados: uno puede entender la suspensión
de pagos como consecuencia de los errores económicos cometidos durante toda una
década. Entender qué fue lo que salió mal nos brinda importantes lecciones
para el futuro.
Los problemas empezaron con la hiperinflación
de la década de los ochenta. Para reducir la inflación hacía falta cambiar
las expectativas; 'anclar' la moneda al dólar suponía lograr eso. Fue un
retorno a una variante del viejo argumento del patrón oro. Si la inflación
continuaba, el tipo de cambio real del país se apreciaría, la demanda de sus
exportaciones caería, el desempleo se incrementaría y eso moderaría las
presiones de los salarios y los precios. Los agentes del mercado, sabiendo eso,
se darían cuenta de que la inflación no se mantendría. Siempre y cuando el
compromiso con el sistema cambiario fuera creíble, lo sería también el
compromiso para detener la inflación.
Si las expectativas inflacionarias cambiasen,
podría lograrse reducir la inflación sin un costoso desempleo. Esta receta
funcionó durante un tiempo en algunos países, pero era arriesgada, como se
mostraría en Argentina.
El FMI fomentó el uso de este sistema
cambiario. Ahora es menos entusiasta,aunque es Argentina quien está pagando el
precio, y no el FMI. La fijación por ley de la paridad uno a uno entre el peso
y el dólar redujo la inflación, pero no promovió un crecimiento sostenido. Se
debió alentar a Argentina para que estableciera un sistema cambiario más
flexible o, por lo menos, un tipo de cambio que reflejara más los patrones
comerciales del país.
También hubo otros errores en el programa de
'reforma' de Argentina. Se alabó a ese país por permitir que los bancos fueran
en gran parte propiedad de extranjeros. Por un tiempo esto creó un sistema
bancario aparentemente más estable, pero este sistema fracasó en la ayuda a
las pequeñas y medianas empresas. Después del impetuoso crecimiento que llegó
con el fin de la hiperinflación, éste se redujo, en parte porque las empresas
en el país no pudieron obtener una financiación adecuada. El Gobierno
argentino reconoció el problema, pero fue golpeado por numerosos contratiempos
fuera de su control antes de que pudiera hacer algo al respecto.
La crisis de Asia Oriental de 1997 le supuso el
primer golpe. En parte debido al mal manejo del FMI, aquélla se volvió una
crisis financiera global, incrementando los tipos de interés para todos los
mercados emergentes, incluyendo el de Argentina. El sistema cambiario de ese país
sobrevivió, pero a un precio muy alto: la aparición de un porcentaje de
desempleo de dos dígitos.
Pronto, los altos tipos de interés desbordaron
el presupuesto del país. Pere aun así, la relación deuda-PIB de Argentina
-incluso cuando el país empezó a colapsarse- permaneció en un nivel moderado,
cerca de 45%, más bajo que la de Japón. Pero con tipos de interés de 20%, el
9% del PIB del país se gastaría anualmente en financiar la deuda. El Gobierno
buscó la austeridad fiscal, pero no lo suficiente como para compensar los
caprichos del mercado.
La crisis financiera global que se dio después
de la de Asia Oriental provocó una serie de grandes ajustes en los tipos de
cambio. El valor del dólar, al que estaba atado el peso argentino, se incrementó
fuertemente. Entre tanto, el vecino de Argentina y socio comercial del Mercosur,
Brasil, depreció su moneda; algunos dicen que fue significativamente
subvaluada. Los salarios y los precios cayeron, pero no lo suficiente como para
permitir que Argentina compitiera de manera efectiva, en especial porque muchos
de los productos agrícolas -que constituyen la ventaja comparativa natural de
ese país- se enfrentaron con altas barreras para entrar a los mercados de los
países ricos.
Apenas se había recuperado el mundo de la
crisis financiera de 1997-1998, se deslizó hacia la desaceleración global del
2000/2001, empeorando la situación de Argentina. Aquí fue donde el FMI cometió
su error fatal; apoyó una política fiscal restrictiva, la misma equivocación
que cometió en Asia Oriental, y con las mismas desastrosas consecuencias.
Se suponía que la austeridad fiscal iba a
restaurar la confianza. Pero las cifras del programa del FMI eran ficticias;
cualquier economista podía haber predicho que las políticas de ajuste del
gasto incitan a la recesión y que los objetivos presupuestarios no serían
alcanzados. No hace falta decir que el programa del FMI no alcanzó sus metas.
Rara vez se recupera la confianza cuando una economía cae en una profunda
recesión y en un porcentaje de desempleo de dos dígitos.
Quizá un dictador militar, como Pinochet en
Chile, podría suprimir los disturbios sociales y políticos que surgen en tales
condiciones. Pero en la democracia argentina eso fue imposible. En varias
visitas que realicé a Argentina, me sorprendí del largo tiempo que llevaban
sufriendo sus habitantes; a mí no me resulta tan sorprendente que los alborotos
callejeros hayan destituido al presidente de Argentina como que esos disturbios
hayan tardado tanto tiempo en producirse.
Hay siete lecciones que deben extraerse ahora de
este proceso:
1. En un mundo de tipos cambiarios volátiles,
fijar una moneda a otra como el dólar es muy arriesgado. Hace años que se debía
haber aconsejado a Argentina que abandonara ese sistema cambiario.
2. La globalización expone a un país a enormes
sacudidas. Las naciones deben enfrentarse a esas sacudidas. Los ajustes de los
tipos de cambio forman parte del mecanismo de globalización.
3. Ignorar los contextos social y político se
vuelve un peligro en perjuicio propio. Cualquier gobierno que aplica políticas
que dejan a grandes sectores de la población desempleados o subempleados no está
cumpliendo su misión primaria.
4. Centrarse exclusivamente en la inflación
-sin prestar atención al desempleo o al crecimiento- es arriesgado.
5. El crecimiento requiere de instituciones
financieras que brinden créditos a las empresas nacionales. Vender los bancos a
extranjeros, sin crear las salvaguardas apropiadas, puede impedir el crecimiento
y la estabilidad.
6. Raramente se restablece la fortaleza -o la
confianza- económica con políticas que conducen a la economía de un país a
una profunda recesión. El Fondo Monetario Internacional es el gran culpable por
haber insistido en políticas restrictivas.
7. Hacen falta mejores métodos para afrontar
situaciones similares a la de Argentina. Ése fue mi argumento durante la crisis
de Asia Oriental; el FMI afirmó lo contrario, optando por su estrategia de gran
salvamento. Ahora el FMI reconoce tardíamente que debería explorar otras
alternativas.
El FMI intentará por todos los medios desviar
la culpa: habrá acusaciones de corrupción y se dirá que Argentina no adoptó
las medidas necesarias. Por supuesto, el país necesitaba llevar a cabo otras
reformas, pero seguir el consejo del FMI de aplicar políticas de ajuste del
gasto sólo empeoró las cosas. La crisis de Argentina debería recordarnos la
apremiante necesidad de reformar el sistema financiero global, y por donde
debemos empezar es por una profunda reforma del FMI.
***** Subject: Re: The Budget Process and the
University Community Date: Fri, 08 Feb 2002 13:58:06 -0600 From: John Humphrey
<humphrey@ucalgary.ca> Organization: University of Calgary To: David
Whitefield <dwhitefi@ucalgary.ca> References: 1 Dear David,
I'm not sure why your students have been unable
to contact me. But do feel free to give them this email address, my university
phone number (220-5538), and my regular office hours (MF 10:00-11:30).
John
- Date:
- 09 Feb 2002
- Time:
- 22:47:03
Comments
Contemporary Socialist Revolutionary Culture
Comrades and Friends,
My wife and I are old. Perhaps that explains our
difficulty in understanding contemporary socialist revolutionary culture.
What do you have to lose by sending your
practical criticisms of the Caracas Strategic Action Plan to the Granma website?
What do you have to lose by sending your
practical ideas about ways to commit the G8 leaders to concentrating their aid
efforts in Sierra Leon to Dr. John W. Humphrey?
You have nothing to lose. You can gain the
respect of the whole world.
Saludos para Ustedes,
David Whitefield
- Date:
- 10 Feb 2002
- Time:
- 09:25:41
Comments
Dear Comrades and Friends An Humanitarian
Strategic Response to the Scientific & Technical Revolution (STR).
The STR has had a massive impact on the lives of
the peoples of the entire world. We have been liberated from the need to work at
some of the most boring, arduous and dangerous processes - in automobile factory
paint-shops or as accountants. But we have not been taught to use the resulting
leisure time more effectively. As a consequence, many young people are bored,
watch TV and feel sad because they cannot buy the consumers’ goods that are
advertised.
How can this mood of tristesse be overcome?
In my opinion, there are many possible ways of
stimulating cultural participation. Please allow me to present a practical
potential exanple.
In the Cuban city mentioned in
<www.magon.cu>, there is a theatre which could be used to produce and
present works of traditional culture. Hypothetically, the people of the city
could present “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in mid-June: in January, the
works of the Scottish National Poet, Robert Burns...etcetera. Such works have
been or can be translated into Castillean and other languages. By doing so, we
enhance our own linguistic skills. I very much admire traditional Caribbean
culture. Could the poems of Nicolas Guillen be adapted for theatrical
presentation?
An advantage of such cultural activity is that
it can appeal to large numbers of “intergenerational” people - the old and
the young. Theatrical activities require the learning or enhancement of skills -
from costuming to set construction..the list is long. Theatrical activities
involve collective action - and provide us with an alternative to TV.
In essence, this is being done in the city of
Santa Maria del Rosario. Can that paradigm be extended and improved in ways that
can be emulated elsewhere?
Saludos para Ustedes
David Whitefield
- Date:
- 10 Feb 2002
- Time:
- 17:39:57
Comments
Many historical ethnographers believe that the
"nation" is a myth but that during the Period of Emergency in Cuba,
several unique institutions such as Poder Popular and the Committee for the
Defence of the Revolution were formed. There are grounds for belief that, like
the International Economic Program of the Cuban communist party and the Caracas
Strategic Action Plan, these institutions could be improved.
Socialistic Revolutionaries could send their
practical suggestions to the Granma website.
Saludos para Ustedes
David Whitefield
- Date:
- 10 Feb 2002
- Time:
- 20:36:58
Comments
Dear Comrades and Friends
A Traditional Iberolatinoamerican Analysis of
Pro-Imperialistic Illusions
“Yo soy ardiente, yo soy morena, yo soy el símbolo
de la pasión; de ansia de goces mi alma está llena. ¿A mí me buscas?”
“No es a ti, no.”
“Mi frente es pálida; mis trenzas, de oro;
puedo brindarte dichas sin fin; yo de ternuro guardo un tesoro. ¿A mí me
llamas?” “No, no es a ti.”
“Yo soy un sueño, un imposible vano fantasma
de niebla y luz; soy incorpórea, soy intangible; no puedo amarte.” “¡Oh,
ven, ven tú!"
Saludos para Ustedes
David Whitefield
- Date:
- 11 Feb 2002
- Time:
- 10:24:00
Comments
Dear Comrades and Friends
Have you sent your constructive suggestions for
improvement of the Caracas Strategic Action plan to Granma?
Lenin wanted to transform workers into
communists and communists who were workers to transform peasants into workers.
Cuba, tu cana miro, gemir, crecer, ansiosa,
larga, larga, como un largo suspiro.
Have Juventud Rebeldes visited the Museum of the
Campaign Against Illiteracy?
Saludos para Ustedes.
David Whitefield
- Date:
- 11 Feb 2002
- Time:
- 18:43:04
Comments
Dear Comrades and Friends,
You use the terms "international law"
and "civilization" relatively lightly. "Civilized" Law is
based on popular gentile culture. In Europe, this was codified by christians
into the Law of the Salic Franks. Roman based christians remained under the
influence of Roman Law. In peripheral areas such as Scotland, they overlapped.
During an early stage in the Cuban Revolution to establish the power of the
people, you attempted to establish control over the means of producing,
distributing and exchanging rum. You were challenged in an international court
of law where you decided to have yourselves represented by lawyers from England.
Saludos para Ustedes
David Whitefield
- Date:
- 12 Feb 2002
- Time:
- 19:26:46
Comments
Dear Comrades & Friends
"A Crisis in Law?
Today, a War Crimes Tribunal began to try the
former President of Yugoslavia who refuses to recognize the authority of the
court over which an English judge is presiding.
I understand that a Cuban who
"presided" over that country's Ministry of Tourism was tried in public
by Cubans, found guilty and was sentenced to "permanent house arrest".
Which "regime" is better?
Saludos para Ustedes.
David Whitefield
- Date:
- 13 Feb 2002
- Time:
- 12:01:59
Comments
Dear Comrades and Friends,
A Crisis of Law?
At this time, the President of the Palestinian
Authority is under "house arrest' while the Prime Minister of Israel is
trying to arrange for Argentinians to migrate to Israel
- Date:
- 13 Feb 2002
- Time:
- 16:21:51
Comments
Dear Comrades and Friends
A Crisis of Law? Some of you might recall the
experience of many people in Hollywood and of the Rosenberg comrades. Others
might prefer to recall the experience of a group of social revultionaries who
tried to democatize the Democratic Party on the United States of America.
Without referring to my notes, I can't recall if only one of the group was
chained to the seat with a gag in his mouth during his trial. Wgo remembers the
trial of Angela Davis?
Angelo, no estoy frente a tu nombre para
hablarte de amor como un adolescente, ni para desearte un satiro, ah, no se
trato de eso.
In my opinion, you should collectively study and
execute the Caracas Strategic Action Plan
- Date:
- 14 Feb 2002
- Time:
- 15:18:04
Comments
Dear Comrades and Friends,
Revitalizing the Peace Process among Eastern
Mediterranean Peoples.
The government of Spain is attempting to achieve
this objective.
Open, free democratic elections by Palestinians
and Israelis of delegates authorized to bring an end to the wars that have
killed so many people could have an impact around the world.
In my opinion, you should take action in support
of this idea.
Saludos para Ustedes,
David Whitefield
- Date:
- 15 Feb 2002
- Time:
- 09:34:50
Comments
Dear Comrades and Friends,
Yesterday, an interesting article was published
in the French newsparer, "Le Monde".
During June,a "Culture and
Development" Conference will be held in Havana.
Prior to and during the G8 meetings in Calgary,
Alberta, Canada, several "events" will be held.
Social Revolutionaries who have practical ideas
about ways to link these three points with the Caracas Strategic Action Plan are
free to contact Dr. John Humphrey <humphrey@ucalgary.ca>
Saludos para Ustedes
David Whitefield
- Date:
- 16 Feb 2002
- Time:
- 10:47:34
Comments
Dear Comrades and Friends
The good people of Cuba will excuse
"harsh" vocabulary used by an old militant Leninist. I have read
articles in the English language that contain outrageous lies about Cuba. In
your country, I have watched TV programs that present lies and foster illusions
about life in the United States of America. In your country, I have seen Cubans
lining up at the "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ESPIONAGE AND SABOTAGE"
Centre in Havana.
Because I am old, my ability to work effectively
as a militant Leninist is not a good as I would like it to be. But I am not
competing with anyone to show who is better.
My first visit to Cuba took place before the
Nazi invasion of Poland. Despite the terrible years during the Period of
Emergency, life is Cuba is now very much better.
For proof, please visit the Museum of the
History of the Campaign Against Illiteracy.
Here, we are preparing for the meeting of the G8
and we hope the one of the events will involve serious debate using the "Le
Monde" article as the framework. How can you strengthen the resolve of the
persons named below?
Saludos para Ustedes
David Whitefield
Subject: Re: Your June FORUM Date: Fri, 15 Feb
2002 16:28:12 -0700 From: Michael McMordie <mcmordie@ucalgary.ca>
Organization: University of Calgary To: David Whitefield
<dwhitefi@ucalgary.ca> CC: Ian Winchester <iwinch@home.com>, Doug
Shale <dgshale@ucalgary.ca>, Peggy Patterson <mpatters@ucalgary.ca>
References: 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5
Thanks, David. I have no Spanish, but perhaps
one of my HERG colleagues has.
Mike.
David Whitefield wrote:
> Dear Mike > > The following might
provide a framework for discussion at you forum. > > David > > La
Web de Le Monde, a las 13,39, encabezaba con el artículo: "Lettre >
d'Amérique, les raisons d'un combat », que ofrecía la traducción de un >
comunicado firmado por cientos de intelectuales estadunidienses, incluidos >
profesores de las más prestigiosas universidades etc., pues bien, en la >
siguiente consulta que he realizado a la web, unas horas después, el > artículo
había desaparecido y era reemplazado en la apertura de la portada, > por el
siguiente artículo: "Jacques Chirac apporte son soutien aux >
professionnels de santé" No parece fácil encontrar razones
"inocentes" de > esta sustitución. En primer lugar, la web no varía
entre las 13,30 y la > mañana, en segundo lugar, el impacto de las dos
noticias es muy favorable a > la desparecida. > > Lettre d'Amérique,
les raisons d'un combat > LEMONDE.FR | 14.02.02 | 13h39 > Conclusion
- Date:
- 16 Feb 2002
- Time:
- 11:24:56
Comments
Dear Comrades & Friend, Please study your
own cultural traditions and provide special attention to the curriculum
mentioned in the Caracas Strategic Action Plan. Because I am arthritic, my
fingers sometimes press the wrong buttons. Saludos para Ustedes, David
Whitefield
- Date:
- 16 Feb 2002
- Time:
- 18:47:43
Comments
Dear Comrades and Friends,
In Salt Lake City, a French judge has been
accused of malpractice involving ice-figure-skaters . The colour of my skin is
bland. Like many old people, it has liver-coloured patches and white scars.
After a few days in the sun, my skin colour is light brown.
El negro junto al cañaveral...El yanqui sobre
el cañaveral....La tierra bajo el cañaveral...¡Sangre que se nos vas!
Today, a Swede’s credentials to pass judgement
over the conduct of elections in Zimbabwe was challenged and the people of
Zimbabwe are being threatened with the implementation of more “sanctions” by
our common enemy.
What is to be done?
Please execute the Caracas Strategic Action
Plan.
Saludos para Ustedes.
David Whitefield.
- Date:
- 16 Feb 2002
- Time:
- 19:23:21
Comments
Dear Comrades and Friends,
Perhaps it is because I am an old man that I
remain confident about the ability of young people to execute the Caracas
Strategic Action Plan. I am not an intellectual. Scientific socialism will
prevail because we are committed to the Truth.
Between now and the G8 meetings in June, a
number of events anf forums will be held.
The Director of the University of Calgary
International Student Centre is Glynn Hunter <ghunter@ucalgary.ca> Saludos
para Ustedes, David Whitefield
- Date:
- 17 Feb 2002
- Time:
- 21:03:06
Comments
Dear Comrades and Friends,
I hope that during the Festival of Love you were
careful and that, instead of listening to rap while drinking Koors Lite, you
thought about the connection between Shania, Cristal and the G8 events in
Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Saludos para Ustedes,
David Whitefield
- Date:
- 18 Feb 2002
- Time:
- 08:34:27
Comments
Dear Comrades and Friends,
Please permit another comment from a still
active Leninist whose first visit to your country was in 1938-39 with an
organizer of the International Union of Telegraphists.
“Al triunfo insurreccional del 1 de enero de
1959, el movimiento de los trabajadores estaba apto institucionalmente, para
asumir el rol que le correspondía en una democracia obrera. Hoy, por la represión
y la intimidación existentes primero, y después por la propia norma llamada
constitucional, la Central de Trabajadores de Cuba se ha convertido en un
aparato burocrático coactivo subordinada al Partido Comunista de Cuba. Por esta
razón se invalida su representatividad y se interrumpe una tradición histórica
de más de un siglo.”
In my opinion, the collapse of the COMECON
provides a convenient analytic “beginning point” for discussion of
conditions in your country and elsewhere.
Subsequently, Cuba retained only one reliable
international trading partner and ally - the Confederation of Canada. Here, too,
the collapse of the COMECON had a devastating impact, including closure of the
LADA plant in the Maritimes, the suspension of food exports to the former Soviet
Union and - much more broadly - the propagation of belief that because in “the
Soviet Union socialism did not work”, only the corporate capitalistic form of
government can work.
The collapse of the COMECON was followed by a
Period of Emergency in your country where, in order to obtain imported
necessities, contracts were signed with foreign corporations or individuals who
were willing to risk hostility from the United States of America in order to
profit from the work of Cubans. (For example, the hydraulic equipment that has
enabled me to walk from the cabin of an aircraft at the most recently
constructed air terminal in Havana was imported from the United States of
America and was transported to your country through Canada as an expression of
“support” to the peoples of Cuba.) Possibly, you were unaware of that
information.
The end is approaching to the Period of
Emergency in Cuba Canada no longer provides no-emergency international aid.
Leninist have consistently opposed the
ideologies of “workerism” and “economism”. Trades Unions can represent
workers. Which institutions work to improve the working and economic conditions
of the wives and children of the workers?
From my very limited experience, as a foreigner,
I have seen that the Poder Popular Institutions provide some services that are
less than perfect. Creo que hay muchos cosas puras el el mundo que no son más
que pura mierda..
Throughout the world, the consequences of
Corporate Capitalist Rule are apparent. They threaten the survival of the entire
human race. What is to be done?
Saludos para Ustedes.
David Whitefield
- Date:
- 19 Feb 2002
- Time:
- 09:50:31
Comments
Dear Comrades and Friends,
In my opinion, if young people execute the
Caracas Strategic Action Plan during the G8, a catastrophic environmental
disaster in Africa can be averted.
Saludos para Ustedes,
David Whitefield.
ubject: Re: Practical ideas about Human Rights
in Kenya? Date: Mon, 18 Feb 2002 13:51:08 -0700 From: Linda McKay-Panos
<lmmckayp@ucalgary.ca> To: David Whitefield <dwhitefi@ucalgary.ca>
Hi Mr. Whitefield Please see the description
below. Ms. Foster is in touch with the Chair of the human rights group. She will
have more info on that. Cheers, Linda
THE G6B, the PEOPLE’S SUMMIT
On June 26 and 27, 2002, the leaders of the
world's most industrialized countries, the G8, will meet in Kananaskis, Alberta.
They will make critical decisions that will have global impact. Past G8 Summits
have consistently failed to offer an effective means for individuals, civil
society or even other states, to provide ‘input’ to, or engage in,
meaningful dialogue with G8 leaders. We believe, therefore, that an alternative
forum, offering a means for the views and concerns of all of the world's peoples
to be expressed and considered, is sorely needed. As such, from June 21-25,
2002, the G6B (Group of 6 Billion -- reflecting the entire global citizenry)
will be held in Calgary, offering a forum to generate and discuss ideas and
solutions that will promote economic activities that are beneficial to people
living in all parts of our world, but that also reflect full respect for human
rights and the environment. The G6B Conference will offer an alternative view of
the planet's future; one which is not rooted in increased militarism and
poverty, and decreased human and civil rights. Committed to bridging the divides
and inequalities that exist between the developed and developing world, the
conference will bring forward recommendations in six theme areas: trade and
economy, human security, health, education, environment, democracy and
governance. Importantly the G6B will consider concrete proposals and clear
recommendations, which will be presented to G8 governments in the weeks and
months leading up to the Summit -- effective, practical solutions, not just a
litany of problems and complaints. The Purposes of the Conference are;
To figure as part of a long term campaign for
global peace, justice and equality
To pay particular attention to the needs,
challenges and aspirations of the peoples of Africa
To foster public dialogue and participation on
the issue of globalization in relation to social, economic and political well
being, both individual and collective, from national and international
perspectives
To make recommendations to G8 governments that
will ensure equitable trade, protection of human rights and the environment, and
sustainable development
The Conference will bring renowned speakers,
respected experts, and activists from the frontlines of poverty and conflict,
together with an anticipated audience of 500, to explore a number of crucial
issues and recommendations within the G6B's six themes. Consistent with the
priorities of the G8, all sessions will have a special focus on the issues of
Africa. An Alberta-based ngo, the International Society for Peace and Human
Rights (ISPHR), has taken the lead in organizing this conference and is now
working with a steering committee made up of other national and local
organizations including; Amnesty International, Partnership Africa Canada,
Rights and Democracy, University of Calgary G8 office and the Calgary African
Community.
We would like to invite all non-governmental
organizations who share this philosophy and these beliefs, to join with us in
this ambitious endeavour. We ask that you bring your partners from Africa and we
ask for your financial support. Please contact the coordinator, Lynn Foster, at
403-202-0638 or fosterlf@shaw.ca for more information.
> From: David Whitefield
<dwhitefi@UCALGARY.CA> > Organization: The University of Calgary >
Date: Sun, 17 Feb 2002 05:12:47 -0600 > To: lmmckayp@UCALGARY.CA >
Subject: Practical ideas about Human Rights in Kenya? > > > Have you
made plans yet? > > David Whitefield > >
- Date:
- 20 Feb 2002
- Time:
- 10:50:22
Comments
Dear Comrades and Friends,
During my visits to Cuba, I have met many people
who have illusions about living conditions in Canada.
This morning, I received the following email. At
one time, Brian Mason was a "leading" member of the Communist Prty of
Canada.
In what ways can this information be used to
ensure that practical propdsals concerning Africa are discussed at the G8.
Saludos para Ustedes,
David Whitefield ubject: Support Education in
Alberta Date: Wed, 20 Feb 2002 02:24:48 -0700 (MST) From: Frank Smalec
<fjsmalec@amhd1305y46fi.ab.hsia.telus.net> To: dwhitefi@ucalgary.ca
Dear University of Calgary students and staff:
My name is Frank Smalec. I hope that this letter
finds you well. I am an educator currently not teaching in Alberta's classrooms.
I am writing you regarding the value of
education in Alberta. The Alberta government, through its past actions and
decisions, has consistently shown a disregard for the value of education in this
province. Not only for post-secondary education, but basic public education as
well.
Most of you decided at some point that
post-secondary education was worthwhile -a means of personal fulfillment -which
though not cheap would lead to a better quality of life for you. I am certain
that you are aware of the tuition costs and the debt loads that many of you have
incurred. As well as of ongoing cuts to research and academic program budgets.
No doubt, those of you with children are likely concerned about your children's
educations during the teacher strikes now occurring throughout Alberta.
Where has the Klein government been during the
last 16 days of teachers' strikes? What are this government's priorities?
Education funding has been on a downward spiral
in Alberta for several years. As it stands, current spending on education in
2000/01 is 5.24 percent lower than 1992/93 levels.
In January 2001 Alberta doctors accepted a raise
of 21.9 percent from the Klein government. In March of the same year, nurses
accepted a pay hike of 21 percent. In October of 2001, with wage adjustments and
job reclassifications, the Alberta Union of Public Employees received a raise of
between 12.3 to 15.7 percent over two years.
Alberta Government Members of the Legislative
Assembly were given a total of 17 percent in wage increases for 2001. Still, the
Klein government cries that there is no more money for education. It is ironic
that a government that claims to have no money can afford to pay itself so well.
For most teachers, it isn't about wages. As
Larry Booi, President of the Alberta Teachers' Association has pointed out,
"If teachers were only concerned about wages, they would have cut their
losses long ago and gone back to work". Most teachers remain on strike
because of something more important: classroom conditions.
In 1999/2000 the British Columbia Ministry of
Education found that the student to educator ratio in Alberta was 18.43 percent.
That was the highest out of all the ten provinces. This means 18.43 students for
every 1 teacher. This figure is 12 percent higher than the national average.
More recent finding researched by Alberta Learning found that 41 percent of
elementary classes have 25 or more students.
It isn't only class sizes that are problematic.
Cut backs have meant less resources for special needs learners. Less money means
less specialist support for students and classroom teachers. Sadly, not all
children are able to get the help they truly need.
Lyle Oberg, the provincial Learning Minister,
has said that parent fundraising is unnecessary and that Alberta schools do not
need to raise funds to support basic needs and programs. Yet this occurs
everyday. Parents and teachers raise money for computers, resources, and
equipment on a continual basis.
Alberta is one of the wealthiest provinces in
Canada, yet the Alberta government spends 17.64 percent of its GDP per student
on education whereas the national average is 25.15 percent. When compared to
North America, Alberta was ranked 58th out of 63 North American jurisdictions
for per-pupil expenditures in 1999/2000. For a province as wealthy as ours, this
is embarrassing. What the Klein government refuses to admit is that education is
not a priority. It is more concerned with paying off the province's debt years
ahead of schedule.
For the last sixteen days, Premier Klein has
been overseas, firing cheap shots at Alberta's teachers. Learning Minister Lyle
Oberg has been missing in action. This is a government that refuses to take
responsibility for its actions.
The Klein government has been suggesting that
"emergency tribunals" will be formed if unnecessary hardships on
parents and students exist (to legislate teachers back to work). If this
government had the resolve to stand behind its own decisions, it would tell the
public that it isn't interested in further funding for public education, and
that the government is aware that unnecessary hardships have existed in
Alberta's classrooms for some time, but it isn't about to pay to fix them.
Likewise, in the area of public healthcare, the
Klein government is establishing a special Premier's advisory committee to
determine which services will have funding discontinued or be de-listed in the
near future. This is a cowardly move to deflect blame away from the government
and onto health professionals. It is all the more ironic coming from a
government that has long cried for elected judges and decision makers at all
levels.
Why is the Klein government refusing to make the
decisions that an elected body like itself is required to make? Who is the
government being held accountable to?
I want to urge you to call or e-mail the
Premier, Opposition party leaders, or your local MLA.
The Klein government, through its past decisions
and actions, has consistently shown a disregard for the value of education in
this province. If you don't add your voice to the voices of others concerned
about public education, this government will be all the more able to smugly
suggest that there is no problem, and that there will be no more money for
education. E-mail addresses and toll free phone numbers are given below. Please
feel free to forward this e-mail to others. To contact me, don't hit reply. Send
e-mail to fjsmalec@hotmail.com please. Better yet, send your comments to the
Alberta government!
Call your MLA toll free: 310-0000
Premier Ralph Klein premier@gov.ab.ca (780)
427-1349
Lyle Oberg Learning Minister
strathmore.brooks@assembly.ab.ca (780) 427-2025 Legislature (780) 362-6969
Constituency Office
Clint Dunford Human Resources and Employment
lethbridge.west@assembly.ab.ca (780) 415-4800 Legislature (403) 329-4644
Constituency
Other Klein Government Ministries http://www.gov.ab.ca/home/ministries
Opposition Parties
Ken Nicol Alberta Liberal Party Leader
ken.nicol@assembly.ab.ca (780) 427-2292 Legislature
Don Massey Alberta Liberal Education Critic
don.massey@assembly.ab.ca (780) 427-2922 Legislature
Dr. Raj Pannu Alberta New Democrats Leader
rpannu@assembly.ab.ca
Brian Mason NDP MLA bmason@assembly.ab.ca
- Date:
- 20 Feb 2002
- Time:
- 18:00:06
Comments
Dear Comrades and Friends,
Recently, I received another email which
provokes this question.
In which concrete ways is the Dalanoe Program
superior to the way that the Caracas Strategic Plan is being implemented in the
cities of Santa Maria del Rosario and Espiritus Sanctus?
For what concrete reasons should people feel
pity toward men who have tortured them.
Saludos para Ustedes,
David Whitefield.
Subject: Date: Wed, 20 Feb 2002 20:41:27 -0000
From: Carlos Ortiz de Zárate <cozden@telefonica.net> Reply-To:
"Agora-Foro municipal" <agora@sinf.ulpgc.es> To:
"Agora-Foro municipal" <agora@sinf.ulpgc.es>
Comentarios recibidos: http://www5.ulpgc.es/servidores/agora/comM3.htm
Fecha - 20-02-02 Nombre: Carlos Ortiz de Zárate
Email: cozden@telefonica.net Comentarios: Por ejemplo, el programa municipal de
Delanöe, que encontrarás en el apartado destinado a programas de Agora, hay
una buena parte dedicada a peatones. Dentro de las directivas de la U.E. hay
elementos importantes con respecto, sobre todo a la la necesidad de crear
accesos para personas con dificultades de motricidad u otras. Hay un aspecto,
sin embargo, que me parece esencial: pese a los principios expuestos por las
instituciones, el cobcepto actual de ciudad no es sensible a los peatones,
excepto cuando éstos pueden ser eventuales clientes, comerciales o políticos y
este aspecto que señalas, me parece básico para tener en cuenta en propuestas
de programas municipales. Quiero añadir un aspecto más: los accesos peatonales
tienen una relación directa con la recuperación de la ciudadanía.
Fecha - 20-02-02 Nombre: Ma. del Cramen Flores
Castillo Email: ma_del_carmenflores@hotmail.com Comentarios: ¿tiene informes
para llevar a cabo una investigación o articulos sobre el peatón?
- Date:
- 21 Feb 2002
- Time:
- 08:18:13
Comments
Dear Comrades and Friends,
In my opinion, the Scientific and Technological
Revolutions have opened the way to new and superior modes of relationships
between men and women, whose right to expect that the word "No!" is
respected should be included in the Constitution.
Some of you might be interested in discussing
that idea during the forthcoming Conference,
Saludos para Ustedes,
David Whitefield
ubject: Foro de la Sociedad Civil Date: Thu, 21
Feb 2002 08:49:21 -0000 From: Carlos Ortiz de Zárate
<cozden@telefonica.net> Reply-To: "Agora-Foro municipal"
<agora@sinf.ulpgc.es> To: "Agora-Foro municipal"
<agora@sinf.ulpgc.es>
Comentarios recibidos: http://www5.ulpgc.es/servidores/agora/com6.htm
English/Castellano
Fecha - 21-02-02 Nombre: Global Forum
Comentarios: Global Forum Newsletter No. 1
In order for you to keep updated and well
informed before your participation in the Global Forum: Financing the Right to
Sustainable and Equitable Development and the International Conference on
Financing for Development in Monterrey, Mexico, The Mexican Organising Committee
for the Global Forum has decided to disseminate the latest news from the civil
society´s perspective and it´s process.
We are pleased to send you the first Newsletter
where you'll find general information on both, the Global Forum and the official
Conference. Twice a week we will try to bring to you the most important
discussions taking place in workshops, seminars and different activities where
the Monterrey Consensus is being analysed and new proposals are being raised in
order to feedback the official Conference.
For further information, please visit our web
page www.ffdforoglobal.org. You are welcomed to disseminate this Newsletter
amongst your own networks.
The Mexican Organising Committee. The following
mexican networks conform the Committee: Coordinación Nacional por un Milenio
Feminista Red Mexicana de Acción Frente al Libre Comercio (RMALC) Campaña las
Multilaterales en la Mira de las Mujeres Red Latinoamericana de Mujeres
Transformando la Economía Red Nacional de Promotoras y Asesoras Rurales Control
Ciudadano - Social Watch, punto focal Equipo Pueblo
To guarantee the highest civil society's
participation these networks work closely, coordinating the organization of the
NGO Global Forum.
CIMAC, "Centro de Comunicación e Información
de la Mujer" is the Committee's official link with the media.
¿What's the Global Forum? The Global Forum
which will take place March 14 - 17 in Monterrey, Mexico, is civil society's
autonomous space for discussion, analysis, creation of proposals, organization
and mobilization as well. It's an alternative process where we can all
participate, the results of which will feedback the United Nations International
Conference on Financing for Development to be held in Monterrey, Mexico, March
18 - 22.
Hundreds of organizations worldwide have been
actively participating in preparation for the Global Forum and the official
Conference. For the first time in history the United Nations General Assembly
will meet with the international financing institutions (World Bank, IMF, WTO),
those that have, for many decades, decided upon global economic matters aside
from the Governments, paying no attention whatsoever to the needs and the will
of the people directly affected by their decissions. The private sector,
enterprises and NGOs will attend the Conference with a consultative character.
The Monterrey Consensus is the official document
to be endorsed at the Conference. NGOs and entrepreneurs have been involved in a
preparatory process, analysing the topics that will be raised at the Conference
and raising proposals, some of which have already been heard and included in the
Monterrey Consensus. Nonetheless, according to NGOs, there's still important
issues missing, such as a gender and environmental perspective and labour,
economic, social and cultural rights amongst others.
The Global Forum has been conceived by social
movements as the autonomous space for the expression of the wide diversity of
multiple actors all over the world. A space where the need to modify the
currently imposed development model is a priority along with the unique
opportunity for strategical political incidence.
Two main political goals have been defined for
the Global Forum: at the long term, the creation of economic alternatives to the
current model by means of an efficient networking undertaken by the diverse
social and civil actors meeting at the Global Forum, to generate proposals, be
able to feedback the Conference and participate in the follow-up process.
At the short term, the goal is to feedback the
process of the Conference and its final paper, the Monterrey Consensus, so that
the Governments really undertake actions resulting from the commitments endorsed
in the different summits and conferences from the 90's, from Rio de Janereiro's
Earth Summit in 1992 to the Millenium Summit in the 2000, whose most ambicious
goal is to erradicate half of the poverty suffered by more than 1000 million
people by 2015.
For more information on specific GF and official
Conference topics visit our web page: www.ffdforoglobal.org .
To register for participation in the Global
Forum and to register activities during the GF, please call In Mexico : 0181
8342 5536 0181 8342 5098 0181 8343 2530 fax
International: 52 81 8342 5536 52 81 8342 5098
52 81 8343 2530 fax E-mail: ffdforoglobal@terra.com.mx
Fecha - 21-02-02 Nombre: Foro global de la
Sociedad Civil Comentarios: FORO GLOBAL DE LA SOCIEDAD CIVIL Financiación para
el Derecho al Desarrollo Sustentable con Equidad
Boletín Informativo de la Sociedad Civil No. 1
El Comité Organizador de este Foro Global,
constituido por seis redes de organizaciones civiles y sociales de México te
entrega el primer número de este boletín donde encontrarás los aspectos más
importantes de un evento que ha despertado el interés y la expectativa en todo
el mundo.
El Boletín llegará todos los martes y viernes
de cada semana a tu correo electrónico y también lo podrás encontrar en
nuestra página www.ffdforoglobal.org
Esperamos que esta información facilite tu
mejor participación en el Foro Global y la Conferencia Internacional sobre la
Financiación para el Desarrollo.
El Comité Organizador del Foro Global Las redes
que conforman este Comité son las siguientes: Coordinación Nacional por un
Milenio Feminista Red Mexicana de Acción Frente al Libre Comercio (RMALC) Campaña
las Multilaterales en la Mira de las Mujeres Red Latinoamericana de Mujeres
Transformando la Economía Red Nacional de Promotoras y Asesoras Rurales Control
Ciudadano - Social Watch, punto focal Equipo Pueblo
Todas ellas en coordinación estrecha para
organizar y lograr la mayor participación posible de la sociedad en este
importantísimo Foro.
El Centro de Comunicación e Información de la
Mujer (CIMAC) es el enlace del Comité Organizador con los medios.
¿Qué es el Foro Global?
Es el espacio autónomo de discusión, análisis,
elaboración de propuestas, organización y movilización de la sociedad civil
mundial, alternativo a la Conferencia Internacional sobre Financiación para el
Desarrollo (Ffd),convocada y organizada por las Naciones Unidas con la activa
participación del Banco Mundial (BM), el Fondo Monetario Internacional (FMI) y
la Organización Mundial de Comercio (OMC), el sector privado y la sociedad
civil.
El Foro se llevará a cabo del 14 al 17 de
marzo, la Conferencia Oficial sobre Financiación para el Desarrollo (Ffd) será
del 18 al 22 de marzo.
En el Foro participan todas las organizaciones
sociales y civiles del mundo entero, interesadas y comprometidas en impulsar la
Financiación para el Derecho al Desarrollo Sustentable con Equidad.
Por primera vez en la historia la Asamblea
General de Naciones Unidas se reunirá con las instituciones financieras
internacionales (BM, FMI, OMC) que han decidido sobre la economía mundial al márgen
de los gobiernos e ignorando las necesidades y la voluntad de los pueblos.
Asistirán también, con carácter consultivo las organizaciones empresariales y
las no-gubernamentales.
El Consenso de Monterrey es el documento oficial
de la Conferencia. Las organizaciones civiles y el sector empresarial formularon
propuestas para las reuniones preparatorias, algunas de las cuales fueron
recogidas y han sido plasmadas en este documento.
En el marco de la realización de la Conferencia
Internacional de Financiación para el Desarrollo (FfD), movimientos sociales y
civiles de todo el mundo se darán cita en el foro global alternativo con el fin
de formular propuestas desde la sociedad civil a los temas abordados por la FfD
y a aquellos que están ausentes: género, medio ambiente, derechos laborales y
económicos, sociales y culturales.
El Foro Global se ha concebido como un espacio
de los movimiento sociales. Instancia de expresión de múltiples actores. Un
espacio donde se reconoce la urgente necesidad de modificar el modelo de
desarrollo vigente y al mismo tiempo se considera como una oportunidad única de
incidencia política y estratégica.
La realización del Foro Global tiene dos
objetivos políticos: A largo plazo, construir alternativas económicas al
modelo actual, a través de la articulación entre los distintos movimientos
sociales y civiles que se darán cita en el Foro Global, de indicidencia y
generación de propuestas.
Y en el corto plazo incidir en el proceso de la
FfD y el documento final, a fin de que los gobiernos cumplan con los compromisos
que establecieron en las cumbres y conferencias de la década de los 90, desde
la Cumbre de la Tierra en 1992 en Río de Janeiro, hasta la Cumbre del Milenio,
del 2000, cuya meta más ambiciosa es erradicar a la mitad para el año 2015 la
pobreza en la que viven más de un mil millones de personas en todo el mundo.
Si deseas mayor información o profundizar en
los temas específicos del FG y la Conferencia, conéctate a la página
www.ffdforoglobal.org .
Para inscripciones de organizaciones y personas
al Foro Global y para registrar actividades durante el Foro comunícate a los
siguientes teléfonos:
Nacional: 0181 8342 5536 0181 8342 5098 0181
8343 2530 fax
Internacional: 52 81 8342 5536 52 81 8342 5098
52 81 8343 2530 fax Por correo electónico: ffdforoglobal@terra.com.mx
- Date:
- 21 Feb 2002
- Time:
- 18:59:32
Comments
Dear Comrades and Friends, Some people in
Iberolatinoamerica are guided by the Holy Koran and some others are guided by
the Torah or the Holy Bible.
Our friends who live in Palestine and Israel are
confused. While all decent people want Peace, deceivers talk about their wish to
obtain state power over private property.
How can the proposal that the Palestinian and
Israeli peoples elect Peace Commissioners be placed on the agenda for
discussions prior to the G8 meetings in June?
Saludos para Ustedes,
David Whitefield
- Date:
- 22 Feb 2002
- Time:
- 19:10:38
Comments
Dear Comrades and Friends,
The peoples of Palestine and Israel are
confused.
How can you help them to live together in peace?
Saludos para Ustedes,
David Whitefield
Subject: RV: [AGORA] Procesar a Ariel Sharon
Date: Fri, 22 Feb 2002 18:23:27 -0000 From: Carlos Ortiz de Zárate
<cozden@telefonica.net> Reply-To: "Agora-Foro municipal"
<agora@sinf.ulpgc.es> To: "Agora-Foro municipal"
<agora@sinf.ulpgc.es>
----- Original Message ----- From: Manel
<nologomez@YAHOO.ES> To: <AGORA@LISTSERV.REDIRIS.ES> Sent: Friday,
February 22, 2002 6:13 PM Subject: [AGORA] Procesar a Ariel Sharon
> Creo que este texto puede ser de vuestro
interés > > Procesar a Ariel Sharon > > Texto de José María
Mendiluce > Queridos amigos/as: > Estamos en medio de una campaña de
recogida de firmas (un > millón), para un > texto dirigido a Mary
Robinson, Alta Comisionada de la ONU > para los DDHH, > que puede ayudar a
los abogados belgas para el > procesamiento de Ariel > Sharon. Tenemos ya
más de doscientas mil. > > Urge que podáis firmar y repercutir el pedido
a cuantas > redes tengáis > acceso. > > Para firmar, entrar en:
> http://www.petitiononline.com/warcrime/petition.html
> > > >
_______________________________________________________________ > Do You
Yahoo!? > Yahoo! Messenger > Comunicación instantánea gratis con tu
gente. > http://messenger.yahoo.es
> > ---------------------------------------------------- > Normas para
el correcto uso del correo electrónico: > http://www.rediris.es/mail/estilo.html
> ----------------------------------------------------
- Date:
- 23 Feb 2002
- Time:
- 10:11:52
Comments
Dear Comrades and Friends,
Soon,in Calgary more work will be done to
prepare for the G8 Summit.
Information can be obtained from
<www.ucalgary.ca>How should the issue of Africa be approached?
In my opinion, "Aid" should be
organized by the Organization of Iberolatinoamerican States and the British
Commonwealth and should be concentrated on Sierra Leon.
What is your opinion.
- Date:
- 23 Feb 2002
- Time:
- 10:16:09
Comments
Dear Comrades and Friends,
Your opinions about the issues mentioned below
can be sent to the Representative of the Prime Minister of Canada.
Saludos para Ustedes
David Whitefield
Address to the Standing Committee on Foreign
Affairs and International Trade
by Ambassador Robert Fowler, Personal
Representative of the Prime Minister for the G8 Summit, and Personal
Representative of the Prime Minister for Africa
January 29, 2002 Ottawa
(Check against delivery)
Madame Chair, members of the Committee:
On January 1, 2002, Canada assumed the Chair of
the G8. I have been asked to act as the Prime Minister’s personal
representative for the G8 Summit and for Africa. I am therefore responsible for
preparing the 28th Summit of leading developed democracies in Kananaskis,
Alberta, in June 2002, and for developing the G8 Action Plan for Africa, which
will be approved at the Summit. I am pleased to brief you today on the agenda
for the Summit as you begin your essential work, which will be instrumental in
contributing substance to the preparatory process which I chair and therefore in
preparing the Prime Minister for the Summit.
One cannot underestimate the importance of
meetings like the G8. Elected leaders around the world are grappling with
difficult challenges which require ever closer cooperation. The challenges we
face today can only be addressed by building broad partnerships on both
priorities and solutions. Kananaskis presents Canada with a significant
opportunity, therefore, to contribute to that goal. Public discussion and debate
of these challenges are essential elements of building these partnerships.
The G8 is not about quick fixes - although it
can be extremely agile. It provides elected Leaders an occasion to reflect on
pressing global challenges, and discuss how best to address them.
It is true that the word "Summit"
tends to evoke either images of great pomp and ceremony, or of violent clashes
in the streets between demonstrators and police. This has tended to overshadow,
I fear, the fact that Summits are really about ideas. And it is the opportunity
to discuss new ideas and to explore new solutions to current challenges that
brings Leaders together year after year.
It is for this reason that the Prime Minister
has, with the agreement of his colleagues, asked me to prepare a different
Summit not just a Summit done differently. A summit which is small, focused and
substantive. A Summit of substance not form. These are my marching orders for
Kananaskis. Delegations will be small. The setting will be informal. The agenda
will be focused.
I am delighted to be here today as you begin
your work. It will offer essential input into the preparatory process and ensure
that the Summit will be fully informed by the views of Canadians.
The Kananaskis Summit will focus on three global
challenges:
strengthening global economic growth
building a new partnership with Africa
fighting terrorism.
The G8 account for 48% of the global economy.
Summit discussions have focused on the global economy since the beginning in
1975. A dynamic, growing and sustainable global economy is essential to raising
living standards and reducing global poverty. The Prime Minister has always
placed a high priority on making full use of the Summit process as a tool to
promote prosperity for all Canadians. Leaders will discuss what G8 governments
can do to encourage economic growth and to strengthen confidence in the economic
outlook. And an important part of that discussion will be how to ensure that
growth is truly global and sustainable and that no part of the world is excluded
from its benefits.
One Summit will not radically alter the
conditions in which the poorest of this world live. But we can focus attention
and take some initial steps to address the marginalisation of the poorest
countries from the global economy, in order to ensure that these countries and
their peoples can see their stake in it growing, their place in it becoming more
secure. This can only be good for global economic prosperity and global security
and therefore for Canadians.
This year, the Prime Minister and his colleagues
have decided to look at the challenge of marginalisation of the world’s poor
through the eyes of the peoples of Africa. The Prime Minister will be speaking
on this issue this Friday, February 1, at the World Economic Forum in New York,
and so I will limit myself today to providing you some background on how this
issue became so central to the G8 agenda for this year.
In Genoa, at their Summit last year, G8 Leaders
made a commitment to respond to a remarkable African initiative called the New
Partnership for Africa’s Development, which was presented to them by a number
of Leaders from Africa in attendance at the Summit.
The G8 commitment is to help build and expand
upon the New Partnership. G8 Leaders designated Personal Representatives, a
group which I chair, who are now working with committed African Leaders on the
development of a concrete G8 Africa Action Plan for adoption at Kananaskis.
Africa today is the only continent where poverty
is on the rise. 1 African in 5 is affected by conflict. In Sub-Saharan Africa,
almost half of the population of 673 million lives on less than one dollar a
day. Life expectancy there is 47 years, compared to 79 in Canada, and it is
declining, by 3 years in the last 10 for all of Africa. Of the 40 million people
worldwide infected with HIV/AIDS, more than two-thirds live in Sub-Saharan
Africa. I could go on with a litany of alarming statistics, but suffice it to
say that G8 Leaders agreed with African Leaders that this widening gap between
Africa and the rest of the world cannot be allowed to grow ever wider.
The New Partnership for Africa’s Development
provides a vision to address this gap, one founded on the essential principle
that Africa’s present circumstances and Africa’s destiny are the
responsibility of Africans. Thus, the key to progress in Africa lies first and
foremost among Africans. Africans must take the lead in shaping their own
futures. We can help but they must lead.
Let me tell you, then, how we plan to respond.
Canada is committed to creating a G8 Africa Action Plan which will be a focused
on forging an enhanced partnership with those African Governments that are
demonstrably capable of and committed to helping themselves.
Three follow-up areas of work from Genoa will be
particularly relevant in this regard: the G8 education task force, chaired by
CIDA President Len Good; ongoing work on bridging the digital divide, under the
leadership of Industry Canada Deputy Minister Peter Harder, and our continuing
cooperation on the now established UN Global Fund for HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria.
And while the New Partnership is not at its
heart a request for financial assistance, Canada is ready to contribute
additional resources which are nonetheless necessary. The Government has created
a special $500 million Africa Fund to support the objectives of the New
Partnership for Africa’s Development through implementation of the G8 Africa
Action Plan. This is in addition to our existing aid to Africa.
However, no amount of ODA can replace the
essential requirement of strong and sustainable economic growth underpinned by
good governance. African Leaders understand that to grow, Africa needs more than
Official Development Assistance. Africa needs private sector investment. Africa
needs trade and jobs and entrepreneurship. The New Partnership is aimed at
putting in place the policies that will alter the perception that investing
money in Africa simply doesn’t pay.
The G8 Africa initiative became even more
important and relevant after the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center.
In the New Partnership for Africa’s Development African Leaders have stated
that the continued marginalisation of Africa from the globalization process is a
threat to global stability. We must be concerned when states cannot guarantee
their own security and the safety of their citizens from terrorist threat
because of poor governance.
Since the late 1970s, the G7/G8 has been an
important forum for discussions on the fight against terrorism, serving as the
main catalyst for the negotiation of the 12 UN counter-terrorism conventions. On
September 19th, the G8 Leaders adopted a Statement condemning the acts of
terrorism in the United States and asking relevant Ministers to draw up a list
of specific measures to enhance counter-terrorism cooperation. The list includes
measures to stop the flow of funds to terrorists, aviation security, stricter
control of arms exports and security cooperation, among other things.
It is a bit early to tell what the international
environment will be that will immediately shape the discussion around terrorism
at Kananaskis. Of course, leaders will likely review progress on the fight
against terrorism, including implementation of United Nations Security Council
Resolution 1373. Broader questions about the best way to fight and prevent
terrorism, balancing security and personal freedoms, will remain relevant for
years to come.
A lot of work remains to be done in the months
remaining until the Summit. Several Ministerial meetings will likely be held,
including a Foreign Ministers’ meeting, Finance Ministers meetings, meetings
of Employment Ministers, Environment Ministers, Energy Ministers and Justice and
Interior Ministers.
In addition to the official meetings, we believe
that the G8 process should support a public debate on the policy issues on the
agenda. Therefore, the preparatory process for Kananaskis will include not only
formal preparatory meetings among G8 countries, but also discussions with
Canadian citizens, as well as citizens of other G8 countries and African
countries. The results from these discussions will help my colleagues and me
prepare for the meeting in Kananaskis. Naturally, the most significant of these
consultations is the study that you yourselves will be leading: it will be
critical to preparing the Prime Minister for the Summit, to engaging Canadians
in a real discussion of the global challenges the G8 will address, and to
facilitating the peaceful expression of views.
I will also be spending a significant amount of
time between now and the Summit talking to Canadians about my work. I had a
session with civil society in Calgary in November, and will be holding several
others in different parts of the country in the coming months, as well as
similar sessions in some other G8 capitals and in Africa with my Sherpa and
Africa Personal Representative colleagues. Canada’s G8 website (www.g8.gc.ca)
will be a source of up-to-date information on the Summit preparations, including
your own. I encourage you to consider it a resource for dealing with questions
coming from your constituents, along with our toll free number, 1-888-316-2002.
I thank you for taking the time to hear me
today. I would, of course, be happy to return to this Committee at a later date
to update you on our preparations for the Summit, including on development of
the G8 Africa Action Plan as it progresses. In addition, my staff and I are
available for consultation at any time.
Thank you.
Send This Page to a Friend
Questions or Comments?
- Date:
- 23 Feb 2002
- Time:
- 12:26:09
Comments
Dear Comrades and Friends,
Yesterday, Canada's minister for Foreign
Affairs, Bill Graham, met with his Mexican counterpart, Jorge Castenada. Both
ministers have made strong efforts to bring the economic blockade of Cuba to an
end.
During the 1999 Assembly of Iberolatinoamerican
States, I was able to participate with the people of Santa Maria del Rosario in
the performance of a dramatic ballet, THE SALE OF AFRICAN SLAVE WOMEN.
How can you ensure that this ballet be performed
during the G8 meetings in June?
Saludos para Ustedes.
David Whitefield
- Date:
- 24 Feb 2002
- Time:
- 09:30:55
Comments
Dear Comrades and Friends,
Success in averting humanitarian catastrophic
disaster in Africa requires careful strategic planning and execution by people
who are literate.
I hope that you have visited the Museum of the
Campaign Against Illiteracy in Havana and that you will give some thought to the
following proposal.
Saludos para Ustedes,
David Whitefield
http://www5.ulpgc.es/servidores/agora/com7.htm
Una estrategia
Parece difícil plantear problemáticas comunes
para un territorio tan diverso como el que constituye el Grupo de Estudios
Comparados Euroafricanos y Euro latinoamericanos; sobre todo cuando, por
ejemplo, Francia está promocionando su modelo de descentralización, que se
constituiría a partir de la ínter municipalidad y que se basaría en el
principio de democracia de proximidad - los interesados pueden consultar, en
otros documentos, el discurso de Jospin: "Ouverture du débat d'orientation
générale sur la nouvelle étape de la décentralisation à l'Assemblée
nationale" el 17/01/2001: http://www.premier-ministre.gouv.fr/fr/p.cfm?ref=19280&d=151
. Este modelo de descentralización a la francesa, que merece muchas
reflexiones, que no forman parte de mi objeto, se está extendiendo,
especialmente en Europa y Canadá y tiende a incrementar las competencias y los
recursos municipales, sobre todo de mancuminidades municipales. Este fenómeno,
aunque de otras maneras y a otros niveles, puede, asimismo observarse en África
y Latinoamérica, pero las diferencias son aún grandes. Tampoco son comparables
las diferencias de problemáticas y de recursos de las diferentes dimensiones,
en territorio y (o) en población, de los diversos municipios, etc.
No es, sin embargo difícil encontrar un objeto
y un modelo de funcionamiento municipal comunes. ¿Qué necesita un municipio?.
Existe un presupuesto, un marco competencial, unos gastos fijos, unos pagos
contraídos, unos compromisos adquiridos, unas urgencias, unas necesidades a
corto, medio y largo plazo, unas demandas ciudadanas y unos recursos reales o
potenciales. Parece un tópico indicar que los buenos gobernantes municipales
serían aquellos que encontraran las mejores alternativas a los elementos
mencionados. Ya no sería tan tópico añadir requisitos que hicieran del equipo
de gobierno municipal, no solamente los actores de buenas combinaciones y
colocaciones de aquellos, de forma que el conjunto fuera de satisfacción
general, sino, que introdujera procesos capaces de optimizar cada uno de estos
elementos, de transformarlos: de labrarlos de forma que se adaptaran a las
problemáticas y a las funciones que los generan y al espacio del conjunto y por
otra parte de implementar esta dinámica en la activación de mecanismos
estructurales que garanticen una adecuada evolución de la institución y por
supuesto, de la cotidianidad municipal.
Resumiendo el párrafo anterior, que podría
aparecer como muy complejo: el equipo municipal que propongo no solamente es un
gestor de un disponible real o potencial que tiene por objeto la satisfacción
de la mayor parte de demandas posibles o potenciales del municipio; es algo
mucho más importante, es el motor que, además de activar los mecanismos
necesarios para el funcionamiento del proceso indicado, instala el último en la
propia dinámica municipal, de forma que esta se instale, sólidamente, en la
corriente adecuada.
En cualquier caso, el equipo de gobierno, en
esta propuesta no es un proyecto municipal, sino un agente capaz de crear una
situación favorable a la creación, evaluación y ejecución de ese proyecto y
sobre todo de ampliar el mismo a perspectivas espaciales y de futuro. Este
equipo no detiene la "verdad", solamente dispone de la capacidad y la
disponibilidad de crear la situación adecuada para descubrir la misma.
"Por qué cuando escuchamos discursos
electorales tenemos la impresión de que los oradores se refieren al
cielo". Sin embargo no parece que el estado contemplativo del Ser sea el más
adecuado para enfocar la problemática municipal.
Mi propuesta, por tanto, no se plantea un
programa, sino una acción que permita elaborar el mencionado programa. No hay
gobierno sin programa, pero sí se puede proceder a una depuración del programa
precedente y prolongar la vigencia del mismo durante un periodo razonable -
propongo un periodo aproximado a 6 meses, pero, naturalmente, este periodo
dependerá del margen de imperativos, tales como la aprobación de los
presupuestos, entre otros- de forma que el nuevo equipo disponga de tiempo
suficiente para detectar el programa que se aplicará en el resto del mandato.
El párrafo precedente plantea ya un aspecto
importante de este proyecto: la máxima utilización de recursos potenciales, en
este caso, los jurídicos, económicos, sociales y otros. Por ejemplo: pueden
existir - de hecho, por principio existen; porque no es contemplable que
tengamos los mismos objetivos que el equipo precedente - incompatibilidades
entre nuestros principios básicos y el programa de nuestros predecesores y aún
peor, éstas podían presentarse con respecto a compromisos o implicaciones, que
afectan a nuestro mandato, contraídos por aquellos. La depuración mencionada
representa ya no solamente una evaluación lo suficientemente fina como para
obtener el máximo de potencial jurídico, técnico, gestor y sobre todo, de
recursos humanos, para hacer, muy rápidamente, de esta depuración, un
instrumento de la fase de elaboración del programa alternativo.
Este es el primer diferencial que debe ser
especificado en los programas específicos. Es evidentemente, un elemento
esencial de este modelo de candidatura: tenemos que evaluar muy finamente el
funcionamiento de la aplicación del programa actual con el fin, ya no solamente
los que deben ser depurados para la utilización provisional de aquél en el
primer periodo de nuestro mandato, sino, también, de mostrar, en nuestro
programa, tanto nuestra competencia, como nuestra propuesta.
Evidentemente, para llegar a este fin
necesitamos adentrarnos en el municipio - es la primera fase de nuestra
pre-campaña. Necesitamos, sobre todo, ser un equipo que sea capaz de iniciar un
planteamiento conjunto de todos los factores en juego, que sea capaz de detectar
el máximo de potencial en cada uno de los mismos y finalmente de plantear las
maneras más adecuadas de alcanzar estos objetivos.
La segunda etapa se basa en obtener, por una
parte, el máximo de captación, organización y eficacia de la sociedad civil,
de forma que ésta fuera la autora y la actriz del programa de gobierno
municipal y por otra, hacer del equipo de gobierno, el ejecutor y del aparato
municipal el instrumento que une, controla, integra, forma y evalúa la ejecución,
la implementación, la adecuación, etc. Del programa.
Así, como indicaba en la introducción de esta
propuesta (publicada en Archivos de AGORA: http://listserv.rediris.es/archives/agora.html
, considero que los funcionarios son un elemento fundamental de este proyecto y
por ello, constituyen nuestro primer objetivo y nuestro primer instrumento. Los
funcionarios necesitan dignidad, representatividad, competencia,
infraestructura, organización y un buen proyecto de gobierno. En la mencionada
introducción observaba los síntomas que se observan para reemplazar éstos por
contratados o por servicios proporcionados por empresas, nosotros defendemos el
funcionariado , la idoneidad de las competencias de los mismos con las
necesidades municipales y el buen funcionamiento de los mecanismos de control
que permitan evaluar el ejercicio de las funciones de aquellos y las maneras de
optimizar las mismas. Esta primera tarea requiere una comunicación fluida entre
el equipo gobernante y los integrantes del aparato municipal. Los intereses
comunes no necesitan ser especificados, por lo obvios, cuando se trata del
colectivo y no de los funcionarios individuales, por tanto, el equipo de
gobierno debe crear ese colectivo real de administradores públicos, reforzar
las relaciones de éstos con los administrados y con el planteamiento municipal
que propone el equipo de gobierno y finalmente consensuar un plan de acción
para detectar, ejecutar, evaluar y transmitir el proyecto de gobierno que se
aplicara durante el mandato, así como el encadenamiento del mismo en el futuro
y en la ampliación espacial.
La detección y organización de la sociedad
civil. En la introducción señalada anteriormente indicaba que existe, ha
existido siempre, un recurso a fracciones de la sociedad civil, en los
gobiernos, pero que este proyecto requería otro concepto y otras funciones de
aquélla. No es difícil identificar colectivos ciudadanos y tampoco recurrir a
criterios numéricos de representatividad. Sin embargo. Los datos obtenidos podrían
no reflejar el objeto que buscamos, que implica una amplia actualización del
potencial, una evolución de las demandas en función de los criterios
enunciados, la obtención de consensos de las partes implicadas etc. Todo el
aparato municipal, incluido el equipo de gobierno, debe ser movilizados en la
depuración, ejecución del programa provisional, evaluación del funcionamiento
del mismo, en la inmersión en la cotidianidad municipal y en la motivación,
escucha, organización, asesoramiento etc. de los ciudadanos, de forma que se
proceda rápidamente a la constitución de una comisión de los mismos que
representara lo más fielmente, la sociedad civil.
La última, el equipo de gobierno y los
funcionarios nombrarán a sus representantes en la junta permanente; esta
designará una lista de expertos en las diferentes competencias municipales que
se incorporará a la mencionada junta. Esta evaluará las propuestas
provenientes de las partes, arbitrará en caso de conflicto y controlará el
funcionamiento de aquellas.
El equipo de gobierno elaborará un programa que
propondrá a la comisión permanente. Una vez debatido, evaluado y consensuado
aquél en ésta, el primero sería debatido en las diferentes instancias de
representados. El consenso será reflejado en un contrato que estipule las
responsabilidades que debe asumir cada parte. La comisión permanente tendrá
reuniones periódicas de seguimiento del cumplimiento, de evaluación de
resultados, de propuestas de nuevas alternativas, de árbitro de eventuales
desacuerdos o conflictos, de planteamientos de nuevos programas, etc.
Se respetaría el protocolo municipal y éste,
así como los procesos anteriormente mencionados, serán lo más públicos
posible: donde sea posible, transmitido por los medios de comunicación
municipales, a través de listas virtuales de difusión y de debate, etc., y en
todos los casos por los tablones de anuncio, por transmisión humana etc.; en
todo caso, asumiendo siempre las funciones de informador del proceso político y
de receptor de opiniones y sugerencias. El aparato municipal necesita estar
dotado de infraestructuras y de elementos representativos de todas las partes,
que ejerzan la función anteriormente expuesta, así como de interlocutores
entre los ciudadanos y el proceso expuesto. En mi opinión este último equipo
debe estar constituido por voluntarios y este voluntariado, que tomaría ésta y
otras formas, sería, asimismo, un elemento básico de nuestro programa. De
hecho, aquellos eran ya un elemento esencial en la elaboración de la propuesta
de éste, eran, no solamente nuestros contactos con los ciudadanos - receptores
y transmisores en los dos sentidos, sino que, además, constituían una
herramienta muy valiosa para adentrarnos en la potencialidad, por la incorporación
de un recurso no utilizado, sino porque el mismo es portador de una dinámica de
acercamiento a la cotidianidad, capaz de generar nuevas perspectivas en el
planteamiento de nuestro proyecto y sobre todo una implicación y una cohesión
ciudadanas, que se traduce, obviamente, en una optimización del funcionamiento
municipal.
Habría muchas posibilidades de reclutar este
voluntariado. En todos los casos se deben tener en cuanta algunos factores
importantes relacionados con esta figura, tales como la función,
representatividad y estructuración de la misma; la evaluación de los
resultados de su acción, su condición contractual etc.
La función es amplia, como podemos prever en
los párrafos precedentes; esta amplitud amplia considerablemente su panorama
cuanto mayores sean la cohesión y la implicación ciudadanas y por tanto son
absolutamente evolutiva en el proceso de activación de potencial.
Podríamos pensar en el ejemplo en el que
participa Guillermo Font, en Ciudadela y en algunos más en los que están
inmersos miembros de este grupo. Puesto que conozco el proyecto de Guillermo,
comentaré que me quedé alucinado del uso de potencial ciudadano que habían
logrado, de forma que, prácticamente sin recursos, han conseguido la
infraestructura y los servicios necesarios a la integridad ciudadana, que el
Estado no asume. Podríamos aún, avanzar mucho más, hacia proyectos de
desarrollo más ambiciosos. Podríamos conseguirlo a través de una buena
estructuración que permitiera asumir el máximo de potencial de los recursos
institucionales, alternativos, financieros, naturales, de reciclaje y humanos,
tanto municipales como extramunicipales. No olvidemos que, ante todo, estaríamos
activando la ciudadanía.
Estos borradores que os estoy ofreciendo,
necesitan matizaciones, correcciones, desarrollos, exposición de problemáticas
y tantas cosas... Me encantaría encontrar colaboradores para realizarlo como
artículo del número 1 de Agora; en caso de que no los encontrara lo haré en
solitario; siempre cumplo mis metas y este número y el homenaje a Marcel de Grève:
"Interculturalidad/Identidad", saldrán, con calidad, como
publicaciones de la editorial virtual del Grupo de Estudios Comparados
Euroafricanos y Euro latinoamericanos.
- Date:
- 24 Feb 2002
- Time:
- 20:14:35
Comments
Dear Comrades and Friends,
Perhaps it is because I am old that I cannot
comrehend the tardiness of Iberolatinoamerican young people in executing the
Caracas Strategic Action Plan. As a very intelligent Canarian has put it: Porque
estoy callado me dicen las gentes que soy reservado. ¡Mal haya mi suerte! ¿Qué
quieren que diga, si nadie me entiende?
- Date:
- 25 Feb 2002
- Time:
- 14:21:02
Comments
Dear Comrades and Friends,
Please execute the Caracas Strategic Action Plan
in collaboration with Canada by paying active attention to the following
websites.
March 14 "Everything You Wanted to Know
About the G8." A session with Mr. Bob Fowler, Personal Representative to
the Prime Minister for the G8 Summit and for Africa. Please see Mr. Fowler's
biographical sketch at www.g8.gc.ca/mediabiofowler-e.asp for more information.
Time: 12:00-1:30 pm. Location: Rozsa Centre - Great Hall. Please present a valid
University of Calgary ID for admission - thank you. Organiser: University G8
Office (G8@ucalgary.ca)
Saludos para Ustedes
David Whitefield
- Date:
- 28 Feb 2002
- Time:
- 12:17:30
Comments
David Whitefield:
Saludos para ti. Tus comunicados serían más
efectivos si no fueran tan agresivos. Hay agresión en visitar cada día el
mismo sitio y repetir lo mismo un día tras otro. YOU ARE TURNING PEOPLE AWAY
FROM OUR SITE BECAUSE OF YOUR TENACIOUS INSISTENCE. One does not invite dialogue
with your metralleta type (Leninist?) tactics. I tried to get to the Granma
site, by the way, but was unable to do so. Mystery. I wouldn´t mind taking a
hard look at the Caracas Strategic Action Plan and telling you what I think.
STOP HARRASSING PEOPLE WHO WOULD LIKE TO HAVE AN EXCHANGE IN THIS SITE. YOU MAKE
IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DIALOGUE. YOU´RE A CONFRONTATIONIST. Questions are good, but
to come in here day in day out the way you do invites resentment, mistrust and
BOREDOM. If you can send me a copy of the Caracas Strategic Action Plan to
sylviamvalls@yahoo.com I´ll study it seriously and comment. Right in these
pages. Do not send as an attachment, please!
MUCHA GENTE NO SE IDENTIFICA AL FINAL DE SU
INTERVENCIÓN Y ESO DIFICULTA PODER HACER REFERENCIAS A LOS CONTENIDOS ESPECÍFICOS
QUE NOS PUEDAN INTERESAR.
DAVE: What you´re doing in this page basically
is called spamming, and is against proper use of the site. Just reign yourself
in a bit and maybe we can have an instructive, mutually rewarding exchange!
Sylvia María Valls Valle de Bravo, Mexico
P.S. I too have found the Calgary site somewhat
of a dead end, by the way...
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