Call to support the international G8-alternative-summit, Rostock, June 5-7, 2007
In 2007 the summit of the eight richest and most powerful states in the world will take place in Heiligendamm near the City of Rostock on the Baltic coast of Germany. The politics of the G8 have triggered criticism and worldwide protest for a long time. During the 2007 summit in Germany this will be visible in its various forms. One important event will be the Alternative Summit to be held in Rostock from June 5 – 7. Anyone who is searching for alternatives to globalisation in its current form is invited.
Even though the heads of state and governments of the G8 represent only 13% of the world’s population, they will nevertheless deal with questions concerning the world economy, development, environment, war and peace, as well as other issues which concern all of humankind. As usual however, priority will be given to satisfying national interests which are often narrow-minded and short-term.
This will not change in 2007. Revealingly, the German government has declared “investment
security” to be the leitmotiv of the summit. The current form of globalisation has produced and continues to produce many losers and very few winners.
One of those losers is social justice. Poverty and social polarisation are increasing worldwide. While the number of people fighting starvation has risen from 840 million to 854 million over the last ten years, the tiny minority of millionaires and the super-rich were able to double their wealth from 16 trillion to 33 trillion dollars. Another group that benefits from this type of globalisation are the so-called ‘global players’ such as institutional investors and multinational corporations. Simultaneously, poverty and social insecurity are on the rise even in most developed countries.
Another loser is the environment. The current economic model and the corresponding way of life is leading to a catastrophic climate change, destroying bio-diversity, and plundering the planet’s natural resources. The very basis for human life on this planet is being destroyed. And the politics of the G8, focussed on unlimited growth and unregulated market dynamics, severely intensify global environmental problems.
Peace and international security are on the losing side as well. More and more causes for conflict are accumulating incessantly. Nationalism, racism, fundamentalism, violence, terror, and war are once again being promoted. Instead of long-term conflict prevention strategies we are witnessing an increasing militarisation of international politics. G8 states are either at war, or in some indirect way involved in armed conflicts. Among the losers of globalisation, women are especially affected. Millions of people are forced into migration or sheer plight by miserable living-conditions. Alongside, the first world is increasing its fortification against migrants.
We cannot allow all this to continue! Globalisation in the interest of the majority of the people works differently. We want a democratic globalisation from below, globalisation of justice and social security. We want fair relations and fair trade between developed and developing countries. We want an economy based on solidarity. The economy must serve the people, not the other way round! We demand a responsible and sustainable treatment of our environment. We stand for peaceful and political solutions of conflicts.
There are alternatives to the politics of the G8. We want to present and discuss them in public. Also, we want to exchange ideas, and collectively work on answers to the many remaining questions.
The Alternative Summit will be held from June 5 (5pm) through June 7 (1pm). Additionally, there will be various connected events that will focus on specific topics. Interested organisations, networks, and individuals may register for holding workshops during the Alternative Summit. Contact: workshops@g8-alternative-summit.org, Phone: +49 (0)30 28041811
Initiators: Aktionsbündnis AIDS, Aktionsgemeinschaft bäuerliche Landwirtschaft (ABL), Attac Deutschland, BDKJ, BUND, Bund demokratischer WissenschaftlerInnen, Deutscher Naturschutzring (DNR), Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst (EED), Eine Welt Landesnetzwerk MV, Erlassjahr.de, FIAN, Forum Umwelt und Entwicklung, Freier Zusammenschluss von StudentInnenschaften (fzs), Gerechtigkeit jetzt!, Greenpeace Deutschland, Heinrich Böll Stiftung, IG Metall, Inkota, Interventionistische Linke, IPPNW, Landesflüchtlingsrat MV, Leipziger Missionswerk, Medico international, Misereor, Netzwerk Friedenskooperation, Netzwerk Grundeinkommen, Ökumenische Initiative eine Welt, Oxfam Deutschland, Pro Asyl, Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung, Stiftung Nord-Süd Brücken, Terre des Femmes, Urgewald, Verband Entwicklungspolitik deutscher Nichtregierungsorganisationen (VENRO), WEED. International: Action Aid, FOE Europe, Focus on the Global South, Via Campesina
–> List of Initiators
–> Support the Call Supporters:
1. Attac Austria
2. Kairos Europe
3. Campagna per la riforma della Banca mondiale (CRBM) – Italy
4. CERAI – Spain
5. Confederazione COBAS – Italy
6. Councilor Peter Lavina – Philippines
7. édelyget Egyesület (Protect the Future) – Hungary.
8. International Gender and Trade Network
9. Ana Maria R. Nemenzo (FDC) – Philippines
10. Transform! – Italy
11. Transnational Institute, Netherlands
12. Union syndicale Solidaires – France
13. AStA Uni Rostock
14. Berliner Entwicklungspolitischer Ratschlag e.V.
15. Brot für die Welt
16. CONTRASTE – Monatszeitung für Selbstorganisation
17. Prof. Dr. Ulrich Duchrow
18. Entwicklungspolitisches Netzwerk EPN Hessen e.V.
19. Eine Welt Netz NRW
20. Koordination gentechnikfreie Regionen
21. Gewerkschaft Erziehung und Wissenschaft (GEW)
22. Landesstelle für globales Lernen in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
23. Grüne Jugend
24. Jochen Hippler (INEF)
25. Thilo Hoppe (MdB und Vorsitzender des AWZ)
26. Claudia Kaiser (EED-Fachkraft in Kamerun)
27. Kein Mensch ist illegal
28. Ute Koczy (MdB und entwicklungspolitische Sprecherin Bündnis 90/die Grünen)
29. Naturwissenschaftlerinitiative Verantwortung für Frieden und Zukunfsfähigkeit
30. No Lager
31. Steffi Lemke (Pol. Geschäftsführerin Bündnis90/Die Grünen)
32. Ulla Lötzer (MdB DIE LINKE)
33. Interessengemeinschaft Nachbau
34. Eva Quistorp (MdEP a.D.)
35. Claudia Roth (MdB und Bundesvorsitzende von Bündnis 90/Die Grünen)
36. Astrid Rothe-Beinlich (Frauenpolitische Sprecherin des Bundesvorstandes von Bündnis 90/Die Grünen)
37. Service Oecuménique pour la Paix – Kamerun
38. Ökohaus Rostock e.V.
39. Gesellschaft für solidarische Entwicklungszusammenarbeit (GSE) e.V.
40. StuRa Uni Rostock
41. Institut SÜDWIND e.V.
42. Werkstatt Ökonomie e.V.
43. Weltfriedensdienst e.V
44. Weltladen Greifswald
