Alternative summit challenges EU-LAC Heads of States to 'stop neo-liberalism by the backdoor'
Alternative summit challenges EU-LAC Heads of States to 'stop neo-liberalism by the backdoor' Civil society organisations from across the EU, Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) will convene in Vienna from 10-13 May, sending a message to the Heads of States and Governments Summit to stop promoting a bi-regional free trade agenda. "Latin Americans have rejected neo-liberalism on the streets and, in several cases, in the ballot boxes too," says Gonzalo Berron of the Hemispheric Social Alliance, a coalition of social movements and citizens' networks of the Americas. "Our meeting in Vienna will send a clear message that we do not want neo-liberalism by the back door, in the shape of 'strategic partnerships' and interregional free trade agreements." The Social Encounter on 'Linking Alternatives in a new era of Europe-Latin America relations' is built around five key themes: the effects of neo-liberal globalisation; EU-LAC development co-operation; militarisation and human rights; EU-LA political dialogue; and alternative regional integration strategies. It will feature a Tribunal to hold several of Europe's largest transnational corporations to account for human rights violations, economic and ecological injustices in the LAC region. The final plenary of the Encounter will be a dialogue between social movements and governments, with a panel including President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela and President Evo Morales of Bolivia. A full programme will be available shortly from www.alternativas.at. Interviews with speakers available on request. Dates: Wednesday 10 May to Saturday 13 May. Venues:
Register: Entry is free. Journalists should fill in the press accreditation form For practical information, press centre and programme see www.alternativas.at Brussels press conference: 10am, Monday 8 May 2006 Further information: Oscar Reyes, Transnational Institute (English) Cecilia Olivet, Hemispheric Social Alliance (Spanish) Robert Gerstbach, DKA (German) robert.gerstbach AT dka.at |