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As members of the G-20 met in Washington DC on November 15 to discuss the global financial crisis - in what some are calling Bretton Woods II after the place where the World Bank and IMF were founded - groups around the world are demanding a more democratic, equitable and just process.

In June the United Nations was the site of a battle being waged between the G77, a group of over 130 developing countries, and the United States, Canada, Japan and the European Union. The fight was over how to address the financial and economic crisis and efforts to transform and democratize the global financial system and its institutions. The final outcome document of the UN Conference on the World Financial and Economic Crisis and Its Impact on Development is positive in that it represents a truly global response and has opened up space for countries to express their views on crisis. But the document falls short because rich countries blocked it from including more substantive solutions...

Read more in this month's Issue Update...


CSO-Industry consensus Report on Mining, Oil and Gas Companies (March 2007)


March 26, 2009 press release from the Canadian Network on Corporate Accountability regarding the government response to the Advisory Group Report.

After 727 days (March 26, 2009) the government has finally released its response to the Roundtable Report.

Section Articles

CSO Letter to Robert Zoellick regarding World Bank governance reform

This letter advocates significant governance reform at the Bank including a commitment to parity of voice between developed, developing and transition countries, within an agreed time frame. Signatories also call for the adoption of a transparent, merit-based election process for the president.

What's New

  • Monthly Issue Update - June 30, 2009 - 2009/07/02
    Every month, the Halifax Initiative produces a monthly update on various issues related to the international financial system and its institutions. This month: *Rich countries block real change at UN meeting on crisis *Canadian government gives boost to trade finance *Harper lays out provisional agenda for 2010 G8 meeting *Notice Board, new publications and upcoming events
    JUST THE FACTS: Outcome Document of UN Conference on Financial Crisis
  • Letter to Prime Minister Harper re CSO priorities for 2010 G8 meeting - June 16, 2009 - 2009/06/30
    The 2010 Canadian G8 Civil Society Coordinating Committee, whose members include Canadian international development, environmental, humanitarian, human rights, health and AIDS service organizations, faith-based groups and trade unions, ask that you use your influence at the upcoming Italian G8 Summit, and Canada’s G8 summit in 2010, to address the urgent needs of countries in the global South who are disproportionately affected by the global financial, economic and food crises and climate change.
  • Monthly Issue Update - May 29, 2009 - 2009/05/29
    Every month, the Halifax Initiative produces a monthly update on various issues related to the international financial system and its institutions. This month: *Tensions build as UN conference on crisis postponed *Pascua Lama – will EDC go for gold? *Bad medicine – World Bank gets failing grade on health *Notice Board, new publications and upcoming events
    JUST THE FACTS: Summary of Commission of Experts Report
  • Letter to Prime Minister Harper re forthcoming UN Conference on the global financial crisis - May 12, 2009 - 2009/05/12
    From June 1-3 the United Nations Conference on the World Financial and Economic Crisis and its Impact on Development will take place in New York. This letter urges the Prime Minister to give this conference the political weight it deserves and to participate as our country’s Head of Government.
  • Monthly Issue Update - April 30, 2009 - 2009/05/01
    Every month, the Halifax Initiative produces a monthly update on various issues related to the international financial system and its institutions. This month: *G-20 response to financial crisis - money, money, money *Parliamentary committee to debate corporate accountability bill *EDC client, Barrick Gold, before Supreme Court of Argentina *Notice Board, new publications and upcoming events
    JUST THE FACTS: Principal Outcomes from the G-20 London Summit
  • Press Responses: April 15, 2009 - 2009/04/16
    EDC Legislative Review Riles Rights Groups
  • Press Responses: April 1, 2009 - 2009/04/01
    Corporate Social Responsibility Rules for Mining Industry Blasted
  • Monthly Issue Update - March 31, 2009 - 2009/03/31
    Every month, the Halifax Initiative produces a monthly update on various issues related to the international financial system and its institutions. This month: *Government response on CSR and extractives: Fool’s Gold *Stiglitz Commission report, UN dialogue, ahead of G-20 *World Bank Vulnerability Fund - Update *Notice Board, new publications and upcoming events
    *JUST THE FACTS: Building the Canadian Advantage – for Extractive Companies
  • Letter to Prime Minister Harper re forthcoming G-20 meeting on the global financial crisis - 26 March, 2009 - 2009/03/26
    As the Prime Minister heads to London for the next meeting on the global financial crisis, this letter urges Canadian leadership on four key issues related to the impact of the financial crisis on poor countries that we feel have been neglected up until now: ending global poverty and inequality, ensuring decent jobs and public services for all, using stimulus packages to build a Green Economy and tackle climate change, democratizing the governance of the global economy.
  • Monthly Issue Update - February 28, 2009 - 2009/03/13
    Every month, the Halifax Initiative produces a monthly update on various issues related to the international financial system and its institutions. This month: *New bill on CSR puts government house in order *Credibility of report on EDC questioned by CSO *Notice Board, new publications and upcoming events JUST THE FACTS: Bill C-300 – Corporate accountability and extractives
  • Monthly Issue Update - January 30, 2009 - 2009/01/30
    Every month, the Halifax Initiative produces a monthly update on various issues related to the international financial system and its institutions. This month: *Europe looking to lead on response to financial crisis *World Bank seeks special fund for the poor *UN forges ahead with plans to address financial crisis *Notice Board, new publications and upcoming events
    JUST THE FACTS: 2009 Calendar of events - the global financial crisis
  • Press Responses: January 2, 2009 - 2009/01/07
    KAIROS Debt E-Bulletin January 2009 - Ecuador Has Every Right to Refuse to Pay Illegitimate Debts

The Halifax Initiative

The Halifax Initiative is a Canadian coalition of development, environment, faith-based, human rights and labour groups.

Our goal is to fundamentally transform the international financial system and its institutions, namely the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and export credit agencies.

By doing so, we hope to achieve poverty eradication, environmental sustainability and the full realization of human rights.

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