The failure of the WTO is an opportunity for the people

Media Advisory – Geneva, 25 July 2006
La Via Campesina, Marche mondiale des femmes, Friends of the Earth, World Forum of Fish Harvesters and Fishworkers, Food and Water Watch, Development Fund, Crocevia, CENESTA.
The above organisations, present in Geneva, welcome the fact that, despite the ultimate negotiating efforts, the G6 has not succeeded to move forward the WTO negotiations. This indicates that the neo-liberal policies promoted by the WTO are a dead-end road.

See this week's programme here: 

Several studies have shown that the situation has got worse for an important part of the world population over the past ten years.
Farmers, fisher folk, environmentalists and consumers believe that this stalemate creates an excellent opportunity to rethink policies for food, agriculture, fisheries, natural resources and services.
 
As a result, the social movements will remain in Geneva this week to give a new incentive for the development of alternatives:
 
–         25 July: A farmers and fisher folk’s delegation is meeting Pascal Lamy, general director of the WTO and will give him their message.  
    It will be possible to interview the delegation after this meeting – please call the Via Campesina coordination from 9:30 am at the number hereunder.  
–         26 July : (8pm-12pm) cultural evening with concerts, theatre, videos about social movement struggle against the WTO, debates and discussions – at Bain des Pâquis
–         27 July: (4pm) Press conference in front of Palais Wilson followed at 5pm by the Water and Land parades from Palais Wilson to the WTO building.
–        28 July : (2pm – 4pm) La Via Campesina invites all to a public discussion/forum on “Time for Food Sovereignty!” – Maison des Associations, 15 rue des Savoises.
 
Contacts for interviews or information:
La Via Campesina coordination: + 41 (0) 77 431 73 69
Henry Saragih (General coordinator of Via Campesina, Indonesia) + 41 77 432 86 29
Paul Nicholson (La Via Campesina-Europe) +34 636 45 15 66
José Bové (Food Sovereignty, La Via Campesina) +33 6 07 36 30 35
Alberto Villareal (Friends of the Earth) +41 (0) 78 838 95 04
Pedro Avedaño (World Forum of Fish Harvesters and Fishworkers)
+ 41 (0) 77 431 73 69
Valentina Hemmeler (Uniterre) +41 (0)79 672 14 07
 

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