Linking Alternative Regionalisms for Equitable and Sustainable Development and Regional Alternatives to Globalisation

Linking Alternative Regionalisms for Equitable and Sustainable Development and Regional Alternatives to Globalisation

The Alternative Regionalisms programme is being jointly initiated by the Brazilian Institute of Social and Economic Analyses (IBASE)-Brazil, Alternative Information and Development Center (AIDC)-South Africa, Focus on the Global South – Thailand and the Transnational Institute. Currently the programme is developed in three main focus areas: South Regionalisms: Focused on Mercosur, Southern African Development Community (SADC) and ASEAN/SAARC, the programme aims to monitor and analyse the political and economic trends within and between these regions. In the simultaneously
regionalised-and-globalised world economy, the political and economic regrouping and mutual strengthening of neighbouring countries of the South has become a survival imperative. But these regions face contradictory forces in the unilateral, bi-lateral, plurilateral regional strategies from the United States and the European Union that threaten and undermine the alternative developmental potential in these regions and the creation of more effective bases from which to deal together with the global economic system and regime.

Peoples Dialogues: In the face of the global trade regime, the programme facilitates popular organisations within the actual and potential strategic developmental regions of the South to launch Peoples Dialogues within and between their regions to share information and formulate joint strategies to build up popular campaigns and alternatives for South-South development. Likewise South-North dialogues and campaigns are developing to counter the strategies of the major powers from within as well as from without. It is essential for us all that we create and campaign for 'de-globalised' strategies appropriate for our communities and countries and our respective regions, and diverse and sustainable regional alternatives.

Policy Alternatives: The programme aims to strengthen cross regional exchanges linking social movements, peoples organisations, campaigners, researchers and political analysts in the development of policy alternatives specifically in the areas of trade, investment and socio-economic development, water and energy privatisation, sustainable environment and security and peace.