Global Policy Forum

In the declaration from the conference "The World In Crisis: Economies and Policies for Global Transformation," NGOs call on global leaders and economic and finance ministers to put the world's economies at the service of the social and environmental interests of its people. The declaration covers a broad range of issues from equitable resource consumption to international taxation as well as international and regional financial institutions. This is the fourth parallel conference to the meetings of EU Economic and Finance ministers (ECOFIN), but this time the NGOs expanded the conference's scope to match the deep and multiple global crises. (Prague Global Policy Institute)

A number of Latin American and European NGOs convened in Santiago, Chile, to discuss how better to meet their common goals of "deepening" democratic processes and promoting economic and social justice. Participants spoke of the need to increase coordination amongst their organizations not only ing policy initiatives but also in fundraising strategies. The presence of government officials and individuals from the private sector at the seminar demonstrates growing recognition that NGOs have become increasingly influential in global decision-making. (Inter Press Service)

At the second Asian Civil Society Forum in Bangkok, participants cited the need for governments to integrate NGOs into the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) process in order to make an impact by 2015. Though the NGOs' struggle for recognition could cause tension with governments, a larger problem persists in the lack of awareness of the MDGs among global citizens and even among some of the forum's participants. (Inter Press Service)

Discussing alternatives to "neo-liberal globalization," participants at the Americas Social Forum proposed ideas toward the integration of Latin American countries. They debated the possibility of a new Latin American federation on an institutional level as well as unifying military forces to "counterbalance the real military threat posed by the US." (Venezuelanalysis.com)

The Boston Social Forum (BSF), as part of the World Social Forum process, offers a space for dialogue and will give US activists a opportunity to network. This article gives an overview of the organizers' ideas and expectations of the BSF. (Boston Independent Media Center)

The Social Forum of the Americas, the first regional edition of the World Social Forum, has attracted 8, 000 activists from North and South America and Europe. The Forum's central themes include opposition to the Free Trade Area of the Americas and the militarization of the southern continent by the United States. (Inter Press Service)

Twelve Taiwanese representatives from nine different NGOs attended the Asia Civil Society Forum, recently held in Bangkok. Wang Ming-Jen, one such representative, argues that the Taiwanese government should promote vigorous participation in international NGO conferences to increase Taiwanese visibility on the world stage. (Taipei Times)

The World Civil Society Forum gathered up to 1500 delegates from all around the world. The goal of this summit was to increase civil society influence within the UN system. (Swiss Info)

NGOs often organize their timetables around global summits and the meetings of organizations such as the World Bank and the IMF. ZNet argues that "a fixation on these official activities 'detract[s] from urgent challenges of supporting existing peoples' struggles on the ground, and building communities of resistance."

The source of environmental degradation, poverty, and the increasing income divide, has been identified as environmental and social injustice. This statement calls for an integrated, inclusionary approach to solving this global challenge and a drive toward sustainable development coordinated by NGOs for the Rio+10 conference.

InterPress Service of the South-North Development Monitor (SUNS) article on '99 NGOs international conference in Seoul, Korea from October 10-16.

Manifesto pledging resistance to the scourge of globalization.