Bridges Trade BioRes • Volume 3 • Number 2 • 7th February 2003

TWO ‘WORLD FORUMS’ DEBATE GLOBALISATION


TWO ‘WORLD FORUMS’ DEBATE GLOBALISATION

While potential conflict in Iraq took centre stage at this year’s World Economic Forum (Davos, Switzlerand) and World Social Forum (Porto Alegre, Brazil), held in parallel on 23-28 January, participants also addressed international trade, the WTO and the next WTO Ministerial in Cancun. The WEF, which brings together world leaders, especially corporate representatives, to address global citizenship and various other global challenges, was organised under the heading of "building trust". The WSF, an event originally organised as a response to the WEF in an effort to unite a diverse body of groups and individuals opposing neo-liberalism and the current form of globalisation, focused on the theme of peace.

Brazil’s Lula - a bridge between the forums

Brazilian new president and former union leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (also known as Lula), attended the two forums, taking the WSF’s message that "another world is possible" to the WEF. He stressed the need to close the gap between rich and poor nations, especially through the eradication of hunger. He also said he saw no reason why parties at both events should not be able to come together and learn from one another, likening them to unions and management. He stated that once they begin a true dialogue, the challenges become less great than when the two sides refuse to talk.

On the issue of trade, Lula — a leftist previously known for his opposition to the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) — stated that Brazil needed to make "extraordinary effort(s)" to increase the nation’s international trade, particularly by enhancing exports through diversification of products and markets. He also targeted wealthier nations, however, saying that "all the export effort that [poorer nations] make will be useless if countries continue to preach free trade on one side and practice protectionism on the other side." Dealing with bilateral issues, Lula vowed to enhance the South American Mercosur agreement, create a "more positive" US-Brazil relationship, and make efforts with Europe and Asia.

War and trade

A great deal of concern was voiced this year at the WEF, with participants making links between a possible war with Iraq to higher oil prices and potential continuation of difficult global economic times. At the WSF, other economic concerns in relation to the threat of war were raised. Some activists said that the conflict could hurt developing country bargaining positions at the next WTO Ministerial in Cancun (in September 2003). Martin Khor of the Malaysia-based Third World Network said that a conflict could distract developing nations from planning for the negotiations, and could allow industrialised countries to bring in new issues. Khor felt that the US had previously used 11 September as a tool to pressure other countries to accept its proposals at the last Ministerial in Doha.

Friends of the Earth International (FoEI), with delegations both at the WSF and to the ‘The Public Eye on Davos’ counter-conference in Davos, argued that the WEF was directly linked to the creation of the WTO and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). FoEI stressed that WSF is "vital to formulate alternatives to neo-liberal economic globalisation policies and to review ways to minimise the negative impact of a corporate-led globalisation process".

"100,000 expected at the World Social Forum," CWI BRAZIL, 23 January 2003; "WEF vs. WSF," PRAVDA, 24 January 2003; "Davos Versus Porto Alegre, Round Three," PRESS RELEASE, Friend of the Earth International, 15 January, 2003; "Brazil’s Lula: ‘Another World Possible’," UPI, 23 January 2003; "Dialogue with the President of Brazil on Global Governance," WEF, 26 January 2003; " Remarks from President Lula da Silva of Brazil," WEF, 26 January 2003; "World Social Forum: War on Iraq would Affect WTO Trade Talks," IPS NEWS, 25 January 2003.