10-13 May: Call for proposals for activities among Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean

What is “Enlazando Alternativas/Linking Alternatives 2”?

The “Linking Alternatives” Social Encounter runs parallel to the Summit of Heads of State and Government of Latin America and the Caribbean and the European Union, the highest-level expression of official relations between the two continents. Grassroots movements and non-governmental organizations from Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean will meet to discuss problems in and relations between the two regions and propose alternatives.

How to participate?

Organizations can participate through various types of activities: seminars, conferences, workshops, testimonials, cultural activities, concerts and events in plazas and streets. Activities are self-managed, meaning that the organization(s) involved in the activity determine(s) the topic, the format, who will be invited etc. and assume the financial responsibility.

Who can participate?

 Grassroots movements and networks
 Trade unions
 Organizations of the unemployed
 Political and non-governmental organizations
 Human rights organizations
 Church
 Environmental campesinos, indigenous, youth and students
 Migrant and refugee organizations
 Solidarity groups
 Artists, intellectuals
 Women and men from both continents.

How to register?

To organize a seminar or other activities, please fill out the enclosed form and send it to office@alternativas.at or register through the Web site www.alternativas.at.

Registration form

The deadline is 1st of March 2006.

What are the main topics?

Activities focus on the following issues:

 ЦЦNeoliberal order. Economics and society in neoliberal globalization — implications for Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe.

The neoliberalism that has been imposed in recent decades as the economic, political, social and cultural policy of the dominant classes and their governments is an ideology and an illusion. As an ideology, it tries to convince the world that the globalization that we are witnessing is a natural process to which everyone must adapt. As an illusion, it attempts to convince us that “free trade” leads to a new equilibrium in which we will all have a better life.

As events in Latin America — and, increasingly, Europe — prove, neoliberalism is leading humanity along a path whose ominous consequences are becoming more and more serious: increasing militarization, violation of human rights and attacks on the social rights that have been won through long struggle are among the examples. “Linking Alternatives 2” will provide an opportunity to discuss these problems, share experiences and present alternatives.

 Political dialogue between Latin America and the European Union (EU) in an age of globalization.

Political dialogue between the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean must extricate itself from the dead end of useless conformism and rhetoric and become broader, pluralistic and responsive to the demands of the people of both continents for social justice, emancipation and peace, and above all to the demand to throw off the yoke of neoliberal globalization with its two current manifestations: North America’s traditional aggressive military dominance and Europe’s neocolonial tendencies. This dialogue must be ongoing, interconnecting alternatives and truly embracing both continents.

 Development cooperation between the EU and Latin America and the Caribbean 2006.

Far from fostering models of development that respond to the concerns and needs of the people, cooperation between the EU and Latin America and the Caribbean focuses on only two objectives: supporting the liberalization of finance and trade and fostering social cohesion policies that seek to soften the social effects of the neoliberal model, encouraging bilateral treaties and policies promoted by the WTO. Cooperation generally limits opportunities for participation by civil society to a few forums and sectors (academics, the private sector, a few trade unions, etc.), excluding from the debate most of the movements that are proposing alternatives based on the experience of people at the grassroots.

 Regional integration – alternative strategies for regional development.

Regional integration and inter-regional relations can serve as ways to address the challenges of capitalist globalization. Nevertheless, the proposals presented so far in Latin America and Europe have mainly been aimed at satisfying demands for the circulation of capital, goods and services, dividing workers in a competition that favors social and environmental dumping. Agreements between the EU and Latin America are based on a relationship of domination in which transnational corporations play a leading role. The quest for alternatives for South-South and North-South integration necessarily implies debate over proposals and current experiences. What lessons can be learned from the European Community? What are the lessons of the Andean Community of Nations and Mercosur? Is ALBA a viable alternative? What is happening with agreements between countries in the various regions of the global South? Integration that benefits the people can only be developed democratically, based on relationships of cooperation; respect for sovereignty; defense of social rights, the environment and cultural diversity; and a commitment to combat poverty, unemployment and inequality, responding to the real needs of the people.

 Militarization and human rights.

After the end of the Cold War, a unilateral process of militarization began worldwide. This militarization, promoted by the “sole world power,” aims to back up with force the economic processes that are part of the new neoliberal order, using as a pretext the fight against regimes that do not fall within the parameters of “western democracy,” defense of human rights or the fight against drug trafficking. Ironically, and as a result of the huge imbalance of power, the result of this unilateral militarization is indiscriminate use of force, lack of respect for international law and violation of human rights, not just by the corporate warmongers but also by the huge transnational companies for which they pave the way.

Cross-cutting considerations

 Alternatives. We meet to share and develop alternatives, not just criticism.
 Gender. Sensitivity to gender issues is a criterion that governs all our actions, from the way of thinking to the organization of activities and to who gets to speak at them.
 Social dialogue between Latin America and the EU. To ensure social dialogue, it is also helpful for activities to be bi-regional — that is, to include organizations from both Europe and Latin America and/or the Caribbean with a joint context of subjects from both regions.