A one-day seminar
on to be held in the lead-up to the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Melbourne
organised by the
Australian Council for Overseas Aid (ACFOA)
sponsored
by Australian
Conservation Foundation
World Vision
Australia, Jubilee 2000
Friends of the Earth
Australian Fair Trade and Investment Network
The seminar, which
will take place on September 7, will bring together speakers from Australia,
Asia and the Pacific to examine ways of working
together towards a more socially equitable, environmentally and culturally
sustainable vision of global development as an alternative
to the model of market-only driven globalisation espoused by the WEF.
The seminar will
involve a number of panels tackling key themes, among them:
· An overview
of the impacts of the current neo-liberal market led model of
development in Australia and the Asia Pacific region, and what role
can aid play in a globalised world.
· Changes
in the way corporate power is organising itself in forums such as
the WEF, and how NGOs can better respond to these shifts. Perspectives
on corporate power and the links to human rights and environment.
· The International
Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the World Trade Organisation and their
current role in globalisation.
· Alternative
economic governance structures for regulating globalisation, advancing
debt relief, financing development and for more equitable global trade
policies.
The conference should
be of interest to policy makers, Government agencies, development practitioners,
researchers, unions, the media, students, activists and interested members
of the public.
Speakers
confirmed so far include:
· Meena
Ramon, Consumer Association of Penang
· Shelly
Emalin Rao, Research Coordinator, Fiji Council of Churches
· Professor
John Braithwaite, Law Program, Research School of Social Sciences,
Australian National Univeristy
· Cam
Walker, National Coordinator, Friends of the Earth Australia
· Dr Patricia
Ranald, Principal Policy Officer, Public Interest Advocacy Centre
and Convenor Australian Fair Trade and Investment Network
· Jagjit
Plahe, Policy and Campaigns Officer, World Vision Australia
· Janet
Hunt, Executive Director, Australian Council for Overseas Aid
· Doug
Cameron, National Secretary Australian Manufacturing Workers Union
· Russel
Rolasson, Principal Policy Resources Coordinator, International
Affairs, Australian Council of Social Services
Cost
ACFOA
members, ACF, FOE members, subscribers to Australian Fair Trade and
Investment Network: $22
Institutions and companies $55
Students and concession holders $11
Other: $33
These prices are GST inclusive, and include refreshments, lunch and
conference papers.