Globalization needs management: UN symposium

A large-scale, high-level symposium themed "Fair globalization: to realize UN's Millennium Declaration" was held on the morning of September 20 in the hall of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

The discussion is co-chaired by International Labor Organization (ILO) Director-General Juan Somavia, Finland President Tarja Halonen and Tanzania President Benjamin Mkapa. UN Secretary- General Kofi Anan delivered a speech at the meeting. And present at the meeting are UN General Assembly Chairman Jean Ping and leaders of more than 40 countries, including French President Jack Chirac and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as well as representative of some international organizations. Holding such a high-ranking symposium prior to the beginning of general debate of the General Assembly reflects the high attention paid to the globalization issue by the United Nations and the international community.

Why the globalization issue draws such a high attention is because it is a trend in human economic and social development, an inevitable one. However, during the course of globalization, polarization began to take place in benefiting from globalization among different countries and even within a country. This kind of imbalance is morally unacceptable and politically short-lived. It triggered off queries, wide and fierce debates among different peoples. The large-scale anti-globalization protests taking place outside when the WTO negotiation was carried on in Seattle a few years ago are still fresh in memory. How should we look at the globalization, after all? What's the cause behind the imbalance? What kind of globalization we need? And how to set up a fair globalization? All these are questions demanding immediate answers. Hence, ILO set up in November 2001 a world committee on the question of social impact of globalization, which is composed by authorities from world countries and co-chaired by President Halonen and President Mkapa. After holding a series of global discussions over the past two years to sort for opinions on globalization from officials, businessmen, worker's unions and non-governmental organizations, the committee published at the beginning of the year a report "A fair globalization: create opportunities for all people". The report gave an in-depth analysis and discussion on the globalization issue and put forward many suggestions on establishing a fair globalization.

Judging from the report and the remarks at the latest discussion, people are quite clear about the cause of the imbalance incurred in the course of globalization. It is "not stemmed from globalization itself, but due to lack of management on globalization". Globalization advanced rapidly, while the economic and social systems that would help it run smoothly and fairly failed to get simultaneous development. Serious unfairness exists in important global rules in trade and finance, since they were formulated by developed countries and so were designed to maintain their own interests. The current international political and economic systems are in serious short of democracy, and developing countries haven't got a fair say in globalization course.

Therefore, only by exercising management over globalization can the process be made fairer and more rational to benefit more people. This is a point mentioned in the aforesaid report of the committee.

To exercise management over the globalization, as Kofi Anan said, we must set up a more efficient multilateral mechanism and map out a more lawful and more harmonious framework. As the committee put forward, what we are striving for is a globalization course based on a widely accepted conception of value and respect for human rights and individual dignity. It is the one that contains rich social content; a fair, compatible and democratic management and a globalization course that brings actual benefits to all countries and peoples.

It requires joint efforts from both developed and developing countries to achieve the goal. For developing countries, they should do a good job at home, which includes the strengthening of the law, establishing democratic political system, respecting human rights, strengthening education, public health and infrastructure construction and promoting social equality, creating more jobs, protecting basic rights of workers, enhancing social security and enlarging social dialogues. And for developed countries, when formulating rules and policies related to global trade and finance, they must give bigger right to speak and room for self decision-making to developing countries; must refrain from attaching conditions on aid provided to developing countries; must slash unfair barriers of market access for advantageous goods of developing countries such as textile and farm produce. These are not difficult jobs to be carried out so long as there is political will.

Management on globalization also involved some general requirements on countries of the world. The committee's report put forward concrete suggestions: 1.foster the people-oriented concept; 2 build up democratic and high-efficient countries; 3.establish a concept for sustainable development; 4 bring about efficient and fair markets; 5 formulate fair rules; 6 build up globalization with a sprit of unity; 7 to be more responsible to people; 8 establish closer partnerships; 9 build high-efficient United Nations. These suggestions are beyond doubt beneficial for setting up a good globalization management.

The UN's multilateral system is doubtlessly at the kernel of globalization management, so participants pinned high hope on the UN, while the latter is going all out in this regard. The latest meeting is not only for a further discussion on the report and the globalization issue, but also an effort to turn confrontation to dialogue in global debates. People hope the efforts may bear fruit so as to realize a fairer globalization in the benefit of the whole mankind.

The article is written by He Hongze, People's Daily journalist stationed in the United Nations, and translated by People's Daily Online

RE: pandoras box

Stopped by to drop off my same two pennies.

Therefore, only by exercising management over globalization can the process be made fairer and more rational to benefit more people. This is a point mentioned in the aforesaid report of the committee.

Our progressives have long supported "free trade" globalization that is rules-based. These Third Way New Democrats readily admit that only a market economy can generate wealth and prosperity. See the DLC's New Democrat On Line, ndol.org. These are the movers and shakers of America's left and the dominate force in today's Democrat Party, I believe.

They will make the rules along with the UN and their other internationalist comrades. They have assured their street-demonstrating anti-WTO comrades that in the end there will be social justice, economic justice, environmental justice, and racial justice.

They have no trouble attracting an endless line of greed-related cognitive impaired useful idiots looking for immediate profits.

Neither the progressives nor the useful idiots care one whit about the sovereignty and military strength of the United States of America, IMO. Her wealth, yes. Her status as a Nation, no.

This is truly a Marxist revolution from the top down and the useful idiots perform the tasks defined by Lenin's New Economic Plan (NEP).

There is criticism of the WTO for being neutral toward "human rights." A big step toward the revolution IMO would be the WTO taking the power to enforce "human rights."

And the "free traders" call us critics socialists -- I guess it ain't socialism if it's on a worldwide scale.

I found an article that says this:
The US is pushing, as originally scheduled, for the completion of FTAA negotiations by January 2005 with ratification by December of the same year. CARICOM Ministers had asked for the process to be pushed back by one year, stressing that they are interested in a process, which will address the economic, development and general welfare of Caribbean people and assist them to achieve their aims and aspirations. The US Trade representative according to reports, said that the US was not trying to focus on this pragmatic agenda just to get something done on time but more so, to ensure the completion of a good agreement. “We are pushing for that deadline but all countries agree that we need to have a good agreement. We want to make it happen.,” said Zoellick.

http://www.carib-export.com/index.php3?page_id=6077

and this

December 2005, date of the FTAA's birth

The Third Summit of the Americas, held on 21 and 22 April in Quebec, Canada, concluded with a commitment by the leaders of the 34 participating countries to promote the democratic system and implement the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) not later than December 2005.

With the exception of Venezuela, who expressed reservations about this matter, the presidents adopted a Plan of Action "to strengthen representative democracy, promote good governance and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms", with the objective of "creating greater prosperity expanding economic opportunities while fostering social justice and the realization of human potential".

"The maintenance and strengthening of the rule of law and strict respect for the democratic system are, at the same time, a goal and a shared commitment and are an essential condition of our presence at this and future Summits. Consequently, any constitutional alteration or interruption of the democratic order in a state in the Hemisphere constitutes an insurmountable obstacle to the participation of the state's government in the Summit of the Americas process. Having due regard for existing hemispheric, regional and sub-regional mechanisms, we agree to conduct consultations in the event of a disruption of the democratic system of a country that participates in the Summit process," the declaration states.

The negotiations to form the FTAA - which will include some 800 million people in 34 countries in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and South America - will be concluded in January 2005, followed by a period of parliamentary ratification of the treaty, lasting until December that year.

"We direct our Ministers to ensure that negotiations of the FTAA Agreement are concluded no later than January 2005 and to seek its entry into force as soon as possible thereafter, but in any case, no later than December 2005. This will be a key element for generating the economic growth and prosperity in the Hemisphere that will contribute to the achievement of the broad Summit objectives. The Agreement should be balanced, comprehensive and consistent with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and disciplines and should constitute a single undertaking. We attach great importance to the design of an Agreement that takes into account the differences in the size and levels of development of participating economies," the presidential text states.

http://lanic.utexas.edu/~sela/AA2K1/ENG/boletinInt/engint44.htm#December%202005,%20date%20of%20the%20FTAA's%20birth

Here is something else you might find interesting:

Council of the Americas Policy Recommendations to Bush Administration

The FTAA is a top priority goal for the Council of the Americas. We encourage and will work with the new Administration and the 107th Congress to make the FTAA a reality by restoring momentum to the process at the Quebec Summit. This will require a renewed commitment to the fastest possible negotiation of the FTAA (we believe negotiations should be completed by December 31, 2003 to allow for ratification and implementation by January 1, 2005), early progress on securing Fast Track negotiating authority, and the advancement of the second round of business facilitation measures.

Fast-Track Authority - Authority to negotiate trade agreements subject to expedited Congressional approval is essential for successful major, multilateral trade negotiations. Similar authority is granted to negotiators of every other major country participating in trade agreements. Despite efforts by the Council and others, U.S. negotiators have been without this crucial authority for years because of disputes over labor and environmental concerns in trade negotiations.

The Council of the Americas believes Fast Track is fundamental to the ability of the United States to secure a FTAA. This must be the highest trade priority of the Administration and the 107th Congress.

Labor and Environment -Side agreements on labor and the environment to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) furthered a movement in the United States to link trade liberalization efforts to enforcement of standards on labor and the environment. The Clinton Administration made such linkage a policy objective. It negotiated an agreement with Jordan, for example, linking access to the U.S. market with enforcement of local labor and environmental standards. There is wide disagreement on the appropriateness of linking environmental and labor objectives to trade. In particular, there is strong opposition - which the Council shares - to the idea that labor and environmental standards should be enforced through trade sanctions. The Council is promoting a more open dialogue to address labor and environmental concerns without resorting to trade sanctions.

The Council of the Americas believes the greatest force for real progress in labor and environmental reform is the example and influence of companies that are committed to the principles of sustainable development and social responsibility. Recognizing the lack of consensus on the direct linkage of labor and environmental issues to trade, we believe that governments should commit not to weaken environmental, health, safety or labor measures in an effort to gain competitive advantage, and to commit to enforcing their existing laws and regulations in these areas.

Financial Stability - Economic and financial stability are fundamental to economic health and prosperity in the Western Hemisphere, and are among the most difficult goals to consistently achieve. The United States is the leader in mitigating and preventing volatility in financial markets. With the active support of the Council, the United States has provided that leadership in previous financial crises and has led efforts to maximize the positive effects of assistance from international financial institutions, sometimes calling on those institutions to support realistic programs which would recognize the social and political needs of a given country.

The Council of the Americas believes that the United States should continue to support the efforts of international financial institutions to strengthen international financial stability. We also support ongoing efforts to reform these institutions. Direct U.S. involvement in extreme circumstances may sometimes be the only responsible option.

Double-Taxation Treaties - Double taxation is frequently an impediment to foreign direct investment, and to mutual trade and economic growth for the United States and its trading partners. Treaties to eliminate double taxation benefit investors and governments by fostering a more attractive investment climate. The United States has negotiated a comprehensive tax treaty only with Venezuela and that agreement has not yet been ratified.

The Council of the Americas supports treaties to eliminate double-taxation, or similar arrangements, wherever appropriate.

Trade Missions - Export promotion through trade missions is a legitimate avenue for government assistance to U.S. business. They are especially important to small business, including women- and minority-owned companies, which may lack the resources to engage in the global market. Cultural ties between Latin Americans and constituent groups in the United States make the Western Hemisphere a fertile ground for such missions.

The Council of the Americas supports and encourages government-sponsored trade missions as a means for small business in the United States to participate effectively in international trade.

Rule of Law Issues:

Corruption - The United States Senate recently ratified the Inter-American Convention Against Corruption (IACC). The Council of the Americas was at the forefront of efforts to negotiate the Convention and to secure U.S. ratification. Building on the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the OECD Bribery Convention, the IACC criminalizes bribery and other corrupt practices, and commits signatory countries to implement procedures to prosecute and prevent such practices. To date, 26 countries have signed the IACC; 20 of those have deposited instruments of ratification, but only Argentina, Canada, Ecuador, Panama and Paraguay have deposited the information necessary to complete implementation of the Convention.

Ratification and implementation of the IACC by all Western Hemisphere countries is a top priority of the Council of the Americas, along with other anti-corruption efforts.

Transparency - Recent efforts in the World Trade Organization and in FTAA negotiations have resulted in only modest progress on transparency issues, partially opening up dispute settlement proceedings in the WTO to public scrutiny, and producing consensus on several transparency-related business facilitation measures in the FTAA process. More broadly, transparency in governance is fundamental to the rule of law and due process - and to democracy itself. It also facilitates trade and investment.The Council of the Americas supports efforts to implement transparency measures throughout the world. Immediate implementation of FTAA business facilitation measures related to transparency is a particular Council priority.

Judicial Reform - A strong, independent judiciary is crucial to democracy and the rule of law. It is fundamental to the establishment of a positive business and investment climate in the Hemisphere. Yet, in many countries in the hemisphere the judiciary is weak and ineffective because of corruption and intimidation, and a traditional role of subservience to the executive branch. As the Council has testified on numerous occasions, judicial reform is of special importance in stabilizing Western Hemisphere governments.

The Council of the Americas strongly supports all efforts to strengthen and improve national judicial systems, including the provision of U.S. financial and technical assistance.

Elections - The recent presidential elections in Mexico and elsewhere reflect a remarkable political opening. However, this triumph for democracy stands in contrast to political crises elsewhere in the Hemisphere. The consolidation of democracy in Latin America remains a crucial challenge for the United States.

The Council of the Americas supports the strengthening of democracy throughout the Hemisphere. Support for democracy should not be limited to ensuring free and fair elections. U.S. engagement to strengthen democratic institutions across the board will be necessary to foster inclusive, responsive and transparent governments.

Shared Prosperity/Educational Opportunity - Income and opportunity inequality in Latin America is higher than any other region in the world, and growing wider. Limited educational opportunities for the mainstream workforce and populations are the most striking constraint to economic growth in Latin America and to its emergence as a significant market for goods produced in the United States and elsewhere. This imbalance is basically unjust, and it limits the ability of Latin Americans to participate in, and benefit from, the new economy. This is another area where corporate influence and activism can have a significant beneficial effect.

The Council of the Americas encourages governments and businesses in the region to pursue equitable economic growth and improved educational opportunities for all sectors of their populations, particularly in primary/secondary education and technical training.

http://www.americas-society.org/coa/publications/policy_rec.html

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