Quebec, Monday April 16 2001- The Second Peoples’ Summit of the Americas starts today in Quebec City. More than 2000 delegates from civil society organisations throughout the Americas follow up on projects initiated in Belo Horizonte, Brazil in 1997 in order to form alternatives to neoliberal globalisation. Representatives of the Hemispheric Social Alliance, a coalition responsible for the event, are calling for a public debate with those of the Summit of the Americas on issues pertaining to continental integration.

The Peoples’ Summit builds a continental integration model of its own

Quebec, Monday April 16 2001- The Second Peoples’ Summit of the Americas starts today in Quebec City. More than 2000 delegates from civil society organisations throughout the Americas follow up on projects initiated in Belo Horizonte, Brazil in 1997 in order to form alternatives to neoliberal globalisation. Representatives of the Hemispheric Social Alliance, a coalition responsible for the event, are calling for a public debate with those of the Summit of the Americas on issues pertaining to continental integration.

The Hemispheric Social Alliance consists of a wide range of organisations from the 35 countries of the Americas, including Cuba. Members of this alliance include the most important organisations representing unions, the envi-ron--ment, women, communities, human rights and international co-operation. "The Peoples’ Summit seeks to give a voice to the millions of citizens of the continent that are excluded from the Summit of the Americas. Nevertheless, we are those who are suffering under the negative impacts of the current development model. The trade imperatives that are being pushed by the heads of state are incompatible with the social development that we are advocating. Here in Quebec City, at the People’s Summit, a true web of solidarity will be spun," declared Bresilian Network for the Integration of Nations spokesperson Renato Martins.

"Neoliberal globalisation has enriched investors while the gap between the rich and the poor has widened dramatically. We believe in creating ties between our nations as well as furthering continental integration on the condition that it is done responsibly. We want to build and promote those countries that respect individual and collective rights. We want the Americas to reflect our concerns, to be democratic and to fight the poverty that is spreading across the continent," says Common Frontiers spokesperson Diana Bronson.

The People’s Summit’s activities will take place in nine thematic forums. Proposals will be discussed that enrich solidarity between the hemisphere’s nations, under the banner Alternatives for the Americas. Delegates from hundreds of organisations will issue a common position on market globalisation during the closing plenary, on April 19.

The Summit starts on Monday with the "Women and Globalisation" forum. Tuesday’s forums are on the environment, the role of the state, communications, human rights, education and agriculture. Members of Parliament from various nations will have their own forum during the Summit, on April 17. Lastly, the Labour union’s forum will take place on Wednesday, April 18.

Public activities organised by the People’s Summit include many workshops and two commoners’ courts. Friday, April 20 has been set aside as a day of festivities and education. Finally, on April 21, thousands of protesters will join the People’s Summit delegates to march through Quebec’s lower town.

"For us, the People’s Summit is blatant proof that other conceptions of the Americas are possible. It is a true exercise in participatory democracy. We will do much more here than just discuss a democracy clause. We are building a real alternative and discussing the most realistic ways to attain the kind of united Americas that we all want," adds Karen Hansen-Kuhn of the Alliance for Responsible Trade (US).

While tens of thousands of protesters will march to convey their opposition to a purely economic FTAA, 34 heads of state will discuss the issues behind a 3 metre wall. While the corporate sector has direct access to the FTAA talks, via the Americas’ Business Forum and to the leaders themselves in exchange for costly sponsor spots, we, the citizens, have been denied the right to participate. The future of our continent will be decided behind those walls. No real parallel consultation will be held for civil society and by erecting a huge security perimeter, the government has ensured that our leaders will not see or hear our opposition," declares Hemispheric Social Alliance secretary general Hector de la Cueva, also of the Mexican Action Network Against Free Trade.

"American civil society cannot be ignored in the process for continental integration. We believe that the current FTAA model does not meet the people’s aspirations. Furthermore, we believe that such an ambitious project—to assemble the countries of the hemisphere in one economic union—cannot be done without serious dialogue with civil society. Finally, we consider that the process to create an FTAA is very undemocratic and lacks transparency. For this reason, we are reiterating our claim to have an official public meeting between delegations from the People’s Summit and the Summit of the Americas to debate the real issues that concern the American peoples," concludes Henri Massé, spokesperson for the Réseau québécois sur l’intégration continentale.

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For further information:
Bernard Larin : (514) 262-1980
Jean-Pierre Larche : (514) 598-2152
Louis Cauchy : (514) 235-3996