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Bridge to South KoreaHeld in Toronto, on Monday and Tuesday, June 21-22, 2010, just ahead of the G8 Summit in Huntsville and the G20 Summit in Toronto, this meeting was intended as a strategy session for civil society organizations, platforms and networks from many G20 countries (and beyond) to discuss diverse perspectives on both the G20 as an institution and priorities with respect to its agenda. As the outcome of an initial G20 strategy meeting in Washington DC in April of 2010 among various groups, the intention of this broader meeting of national, regional and international networks was three-fold:
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MEETING DETAILS
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Climate Change and Poverty: Off the Table?
In the wake of the financial crisis, countries around the world have cut back on their commitments to combat climate change and poverty. As the G8/G20 leaders prepare to gather in June, what are the challenges and opportunities for getting these issues back on the table?
Presenters:
Charles Abugre, Director of Campaigns for the Millennium Development Goals, United Nations Development Program
Gauri Sreenivasan, Policy Coordinator, Canadian Council for International Co-operation
Wednesday, April 28th 7:00pm - 9:00pm
The University of Ottawa - Pavillion Desmarais
55 Laurier East, Room 1120 (First Floor)
For more information please contact Caroline Foster at cfoster@kairoscanada.org
Co-sponsored by:
Canadian Council for International Co-operation - Africa Canada Forum
Halifax Initiative
KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives
School of International Development and Global Studies
Parliamentary Roundtables on the G8/G20 Agendas 2010 is an important and unique moment for Parliamentarians to engage with Canadians on some of the most important global issues facing our planet and our future. On June 25th, 2010, To date, there has been little discussion among parliamentarians about the themes leading up to the 2010 summits, and Canadian civil society is looking to engage members from all parties in a discussion around some of the issues highlighted in our civil society platform, An Agenda for Global Development: G8/G20 Civil Society Coalition Platform, endorsed by over 60 organizations across the country. The platform discusses specific, measurable, realistic recommendations to put poverty eradication, economic recovery for all and environmental justice at the centre of the international agenda. To facilitate the conversation, Canadian civil society is organizing three parliamentary roundtables to discuss party perspectives on climate change, the financial crisis and the millennium development goals (MDGs). The Roundtables will occur as the G20 Finance Ministers meet in Washington, as G8 Development Ministers meet in Halifax and as Canada hosts the Africa Partnership Forum in Toronto. Roundtable 1: Climate change Roundtable 2: Global financial crisis Roundtable 3: Millennium Development Goals |
ROUNDTABLE DETAILS Canadian G8 G20 Civil Society Platform Roundtable Agendas Moderator, MP and Expert Bios Podcasts
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Up to the Challenge: a Multi-Stakeholder Conference on Corporate Accountability in Canada’s Extractive Industries Operating Abroad
One-day, Multi-stakeholder Conference on Corporate Accountability in Canada’s Extractive Industries Operating Abroad, co-sponsored by the Canadian Network on Corporate Accountability and the Mining Association of Canada.
When: Tuesday November 3, 2009, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Where: Holiday Inn, Plaza la Chaudière, 2 rue Montcalm, Gatineau, Québec
Who should attend: Federal Government officials, civil society and industry representatives, academics and students, Members of Parliament and media
Simultaneous interpretation will be available for the morning plenary and for one afternoon panel / discussion group.
Lunch will be provided on site.
To register: Conference Registration is closed. Pre-registration is required.
For further information: contact Jean Christie
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Since September 2008, when the financial crisis took on global dimensions, the Group of Twenty has met three times at the level of Heads of State, and with a seeminly impressive array of commitments on tax issues, emergency finance, trade finance, global governance, regulating private capital, and redefining new roles for existing and new global institutions. But what is missing in their response to the global crisis? Who are the real winners and losers? What has really changed, and what hasn't? And are the levels of change commensurate with the tectonic shifts taking place in the global economy and with the degree of impact on the ground? Perhaps more importantly, are these the type of changes to ensure a crisis like this never happens again? What: What's missing in the response ot the global financial crisis? Who: Organized by the Halifax Initiative Coalition; co-hosted by The North-South Institute and the University of Ottawa. When: October 19 - 20, 2009. Why: The conference will look at current responses to the financial crisis, identify where those responses are falling short, and propose some policy alternatives ahead of Canada hosting the Group of Eight Summit in 2010. |
IN THIS SECTION CONFERENCE DETAILS
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The face of Global Development Finance is changing. The international financial system has entered into a remarkable period of transition, relative to a few years ago. Numerous countries have repaid their debts to the IMF ahead of schedule, leaving the Fund with a US$103 million shortfall in fiscal year 2007. Many of these same countries have indicated that they will not return to the IMF because of the burdensome conditions that it imposes on debtors. In its place, new institutions and new sources of finance are emerging. Increasingly, Southern governments are seeking real alternatives to the Bank and Fund: a Bank of the South is emerging in Latin America, an $80 billion Monetary Fund has been created in Asia, and both China and India are providing Africa with condition-free financing that far surpasses current Bank allocations. But these new alternatives are not without their own challenges. What: The Changing Face of Global Development Finance – Impacts and implications for aid, development, the South and the Bretton Woods Institutions Who: Organized by the Halifax Initiative Coalition; co-hosted by the Canadian Council for International Co-operation, The North-South Institute and the Reality of Aid Network. When: February 1 - 2, 2008. Where: Rideau Room, Sheraton Ottawa Hotel, 150 Albert Street (between Metcalfe and O'Connor), Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Why: The conference will look at some of the emerging alternatives, as well as the opportunities and challenges they present, with respect to the current international financial system and its institutions. Conference fees: $40 per day for non-Halifax Initiative members; $35 per day for HI members |
IN THIS SECTION CONFERENCE DETAILS
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When: 7:00 - 9:00 pm, Wednesday, May 30th , 2007 .
Where: Christ Church Cathedral Hall, 420 Sparks Street, Ottawa.
What: Dirty Waters - Regulating Canadian Mining Companies overseas
Theme: What should our government do to prevent Canadian companies from committing environmental and human rights abuses overseas?
Speakers: Maria Alvarado of Cerro de San Pedro, Mexico, Joan Carling of the Phillipines and Thabo Madihlabai of South Africa
Karyn Keenan of the Halifax Initiative will moderate on behalf of the Canadian Network for Corporate Accountability & KAIROS
Background | Roundtable Process | When and Where | How to Participate | Monthly Updates
Background
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade (SCFAIT) tabled, in June 2005, a landmark report on Mining in Developing Countries and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
The report recommended that the Canadian government move away from its current voluntary approach to CSR. It called for policies that condition public assistance for Canadian companies on compliance with international human rights and environmental standards, including core labour rights. The report also identified the need for legislation to hold companies accountable for their actions overseas.
The Government failed to adopt the majority of SCFAIT’s recommendations, but it did commit to hosting a series of national roundtables. These Roundtables were to identify ways for Canadian extractive companies to meet or exceed international CSR standards and best practices.
"Export Credit Agencies and Human Rights - An Overview"
This presentation was made by Fraser Reilly-King as part of a workshop on Export Credit Agencies at a two day discussion on "Export Credit Agencies and Human Rights Accountability" held in Belgium, Brussels in September 2005.
| Risk, Responsibility and Human Rights: Assessing the Human Rights Impacts of Trade and Project Finance Panel discussion and expert meeting
In an effort to address the lack of dialogue around the issue of human rights and trade and project financing, and acknowledging the increasing pressure for corporations, ECAs and other public international financial institutions (PIFIs) to take human rights into account, the NGO Working Group on Export Development Canada (WG), in collaboration with Rights & Democracy (formerly ICHRDD), organized a meeting in Ottawa on May 3rd and 4th, 2004 to discuss how the human rights impacts of trade and project finance can be assessed.
This conference builds on previous discussions amongst civil society on this issue. The May 2004 workshop will build on those initial meetings, bringing together experts from government (including EDC), academia and civil society to explore the challenges and opportunities for developing a Human Rights Impact Assessment. When: May 3-4, 2004
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CONFERENCE DETAILS
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COLOMBIA: THE STRUGGLE AGAINST PRIVATIZATION OF TELECOM
This meeting will be in English and Spanish
SPEAKER: Jorge Lerma, President, Union Sindical de Trabajadores de las Communicaciones (USTC)
WHEN: 7 pm, Tuesday, December 2, 2003
WHERE: PSAC Meeting Rm, Ground Floor, 233 Gilmour Street
SPONSORED BY: CUPE, CUPW, PSAC, ODLC, Sisters in Solidarity, CLC, CEP, CAW, NGO Working Group on EDC
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THE STRUGGLE AGAINST FORCED DISAPPEARANCES
Meet indigenous human rights activist, Angélica Mendoza de Ascarza and, Marta Cecilia Domicó, daughter of disappeared indigenous leader, Kimy Pernía Domicó, during their Canadian tour of the 2003 John Humphrey Freedom Award Visit Rights & Democracy for further details on the award, and see the schedule below to see if the speakers are coming to your town. |
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The “Private Interests vs. Public Goods” tour aims to bring Southern activists working on privatization issues at the local or national level to share their stories and strategies with Canadians facing the privatization of health care, education, energy, water and other public services.
Get a copy of "Empty Promises - The IMF, the World Bank, and the Planned Failures of Global Capitalism", which includes over 30 brief articles detailing everything you wanted to know about these two institutions. For press articles resulting from the tour go to the Media button on the navigation bar, to Press Responses to Structural Adjustment. |
“Addressing Unsustainable and Illegitimate Debt—Strategic Options for Civil Society”
CCIC Boardroom – 3rd floor – 1 Nicholas Street, Ottawa, Ontario
February 26, 2003
Final Report on the G6B (Group of 6 billion) People’s Summit
The Halifax Initiative participated in the G6B People’s Summit. We assisted in bringing to the Summit two Southern activists, with whom we work - Tundu Lissu, a Tanzanian activist with the Lawyers Environmental Action Team, to discuss the impacts of foreign direct investment in mining, and Virginia Setshedi, a South African activist with the Soweto Electricity Crisis Committee. As well, Pam Foster, Coordinator, participated on three panels, presenting on financial liberalization, the environment and the G8.
Click here for the Speech on Financial Liberalization
Talking G8: The Travelling Road Show
At the invitation of the Parkland Institute and the Alberta Council for Global Cooperation, the Halifax Initiative participated in education events in 10 cities in Alberta to discuss the upcoming G8 meeting in Kananaskis, in June 2002.
Pamphlet [ PDF file ] (1.5 Mb)
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ttawa Premiere of the award-winning documentary "Life and Debt"
A scathing indictment of economic globalization
Ottawa - Life and Debt, winner of the Critics Award at the Los Angeles Film Festival 2001, will be shown on the same day as the World Bank and the IMF meetings in Ottawa. Life and Debt offers a clear analysis of globalization and its negative impacts, focusing on the impacts of the World Bank and the IMF on Jamaica. Canada represents the World Bank and the IMF on the Board of Directors of both of these institutions.
This film is being shown by World Inter-Action Mondiale and Halifax Initiative following the November 17th Day of Action for Peace and Justice calling attention to the failures of economic globalization.
Roger Ebert, in a review of this film for the Chicago Sun-Times, wrote: "If you're curious about why the demonstrators are so angry, this is why they're so angry."
What: Teach-in: Global Justice, Global Peace
When: A free public forum, Friday, November 16, 2001.
Where: St Matthew's Anglican Church, 130 Glebe Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario.
What: Human rights abuse, debt and mega-projects - The impact of corporate globalization and the World Bank
When: A free public forum - 7pm, Thursday, November 15
Where: McGill University, Stewart Building, Auditorium 1205 Dr. Penfield, Montreal (at Drummond, one block north of Sherbrooke, Peel Metro) with special international guests:
Conference Papers - Vancouver, October 4-6, 2001
Click here for pdf
Between Oct 4 - 6, 2001, Halifax Initiative hosted a conference "Taxing Currency Transactions - From Feasibility to Implementation" which attracted sixty participants from eighteen countries including: Belgium, Benin, Brazil, Canada, China, Finland, France, Germany, India, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Norway, Philippines, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam and Zimbabwe. The progamme included an evening public forum on Oct 4th attended by over 110 people and the two-day conference.
Conference Summary
The citizens-led anti-globalization movement is in its ascendancy, yet risks its credibility if it is unable to articulate an agenda of alternatives to the current economic paradigm. At NGO conferences around the world over the last two years, debate has expanded beyond a critique of the existing economic paradigm and systems to the articulation of the "world we want". One critical component of an emerging vision of global equity and justice, supported by a growing number of non-governmental organizations, unions, Parliamentarians and academics around the world, is the currency transactions tax or CTT.
The Dakar Manifesto
Africa: From Resistance to Alternatives
Dakar 2000: From Resistance to Alternatives
Dakar, Senegal, 11-17 December 2000
The Dakar 2000 conference brought together leaders of NGOs and social movements from all over Africa to analyze the debt crisis and the impacts of IMF/World Bank Structural Adjustment Programmes on African populations. Conference participants also considered strategies for resistance to the neoliberal model and highlighted alternative approaches.
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In October 2000, the Halifax Initiative organized a three day event on the eve of the G-20 Finance Ministers meeting in Montreal to discuss alternative proposals for the global financial system. The first day comprised of a film festival and Teach-In. An NGO strategy session was held for two days to explore ways the global financial system could contribute to the eradication of poverty and environment sustainability. |
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In September 1998, Halifax Initiative organized a two-day roundtable on the eve of the Commonwealth Finance Ministers meeting in Ottawa, to discuss solutions to debt and financial crises.
Over 200 people attended an evening public discussion with Susan George, Kavaljit Singh and Kari Polyani Levitt.
Click here for full report pdf
Click here for Press Release – A Six Point Plan to Deal With Global Financial Turmoil
