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Alternative Regionalisms:
Future Paradigms & Strategies in an Era of Globalisation
This programme is being jointly undertaken by Focus on the Global South (Thailand), Alternative Information and Development Centre (IADC)-South Africa, Brazilian Institute of Social and Economic Analyses (IBASE)-Brazil, Red Mexicana de Accion Frente al Libre Comercio (RMALC) and DECA Equipo Pueblo in Mexico, and the Transnational Institute, and is still in its introductory stage.
Focus on the Global South
based in Bangkok, Thailand addresses issues affecting the whole South, but being in the Asia-Pacific region, a major part of its work is devoted to this region. Focus aims to consciously and consistently articulate, link and develop coherence between local community-based and national, regional and global paradigms of change. Focus believes that change will be brought about by sharing ideas and information and through collective action, and is committed to building networks with those working in other regions in order to share experiences, exchange ideas, and articulate sustainable alternatives and more just forms of regional and global governance.
Focus on the Global South website: www.focusweb.org
The Alternative Information and Development Centre - AIDC
based in Cape Town, South Africa was established in 1996, and strives to become a venue where innovative contributions and constructive critiques can be made to the social experiment of building a post-apartheid South Africa. IADC seeks to empower people and communities for economic justice and raise awareness and consciousness of the impact of globalisation on the development process, by providing research and information services strengthening their capacity to address issues related to human rights, democracy, reconstruction and development. IADC participates in developing policies and campaigns which can deepen the process of democratic transition, reconstruction and development and help in the mobilisation of social movements around alternative strategies of development which are people-centered, participatory and needs orientated.
AIDC initiatives while locally based, have had significant national and international outreach. The AIDC helped set the agenda on 'Apartheid's Foreign Debt' and has also been in the forefront of the South-South debt campaign and network.
AIDC website: www.aidc.org.za
The Brazilian Institute of Social and Economic Analyses - IBASE
Brazil, was founded in 1981 by political exiles returning to Brazil. IBASE engages in political pressure, public campaigns, and activities to monitor legislative processes and public policies, including transparency in the public budget. Ibase is organised to produce strategic reflections through research, communication, public debates, and defense of public interests.
IBASE's activities are carried out in conjunction and partnership with civil society organisations and movements, universities, and governmental bodies. Such actions aim to stimulate citizens to participate in struggles against injustice and for freedom, fostering solidarity and respect for diversity. IBASE defends the participation of poor and excluded people in political processes and seeks to influence public policies, prioritising equity, and democratic and sustainable human development. IBASE is also committed to linking the local and global aspects of citizenship and democracy.
IBASE puts forward arguments for implementing democratic social policies based on local action and society's initiatives and contributes to strengthening new political actors. It monitors international agreements and promote mechanisms for global and democratic regulation and for putting together a global social agenda.
IBASE website: www.ibase.org.br
Red Mexicana de Accion Frente al Libre Comercio (RMALC)
is a coalition of trade unions, farmers organisations, indigeneous peoples, and environmental networks. The coalition was established in 1991 during the NAFTA negotiations with the aim of intervening in the process of the negotiations and forwarding civil society proposals for a just and equitable agreement.
RMALC documented the negative impact of NAFTA on Mexico in its first years of implementation and proposed a re-negotiation of the Agreement. In 1995, RMALC conducted a "Referendum de la Libertad" which was participated in by 430,000 people. RMALC and its member organisations actively participate in regional and international civil society alliances working on the WTO, FTAA and APEC and the EU-Mexico Agreement. RMALC also provides a venue for pluralist, flexible and democratic debate and initiatives.
RMALC website:
www.rmalc.org.mx
DECA Equipo Pueblo
is a civic association founded in Mexico in 1977 to promote alternative economic and social projects at local and regional level. Equipo Pueblo works closely with social organisations and citizens coalitions to promote democracy, social development, human rights and economic justice and facilitates sustainable production and environmental projects in rural areas. Pueblo also campaigns for policy change towards the Mexican government; foreign governments, especially the US and the EU as well as towards the multilateral organisations WTO and IMF & World Bank.
Equipo Pueblo's Documentation Center (CEDOC) was developed in 1995 with the aim of generating, disseminating and strengthening knowledge and resources of social actors nationally and internationally, regarding issues of social development, public policy, and citizen diplomacy. Equipo is a member of RMALC.
DECA Equipo Pueblo: pueblo@laneta.apc.org
Transnational Institute
TNI website:www.tni.org/altreg/
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