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Workshop Platform Enrichment
December 3, 1997
Mr. Cauchy opened the session at 11:15. He asked those present to hand in
their written proposals to Mme. Chaponay. This workshop would recommend
that the proposals to change the platform should be introduced into the
platform. That document would then be circulated among the Allies and
signatories for consideration and approval. Afterwards they may be
integrated. This is only a proposal.
The majority agreed to this. Mr. Trond questioned the procedure. M.
Cauchy explained that those present are too few to change the platform
definitely. It would not be respectful to the signatories.
David entered into several details mentioned yesterday.
In Mme. Sizoo's opinion, the group must make proposals. The platform
exists and remains as it is. Then there is the Montreal Group, and the
Copenhagen group, and each group proposes attachments, amendments. The
platform is like a flower with new petals, or the trunk of a tree and the
branches are growing. Each proposal represents new petals or new branches.
Mr. Rabah likes the symbolism, but the platform has to be developed, to be
acceptable all over the world.
Mr. Cauchy read a proposal. He would like to add a fourth dichotomy, that
of men-women. He, Mr. Rabah, and Mme. Chaponay discussed procedures.
Mme. Sizoo referred to some conflicts mentioned yesterday. Allies should
come forward and offer to work on those conflicts, not just mention them in
the conferences.
Mr. Bantom Ondan, from Thailand agrees to the spirit of the platform but
wants to see more action included. He needs to consult his organization to
prepare for 1998 and 1999.
Mr. Cauchy is glad that people want to cooperate in the changes, not just
propose them.
Mme. Sizoo talked about the imbalances, men-women, and others, in the
formulation of the platform. She commits herself to acting on having more
women in the Alliance. Laney Thomas from the United States is wondering
why less women were among the signatories. The text must address the
entire social context, according to Mr. Cauchy. He asked who volunteers.
Ms. Kamela has submitted a proposal and wants to know who will work on it.
In addition to reporting on this meeting, who will implement the
recommendations?
Mme. Sizoo, Mr. Cauchy, Ms. Kamela, Mr. Rabah, Mr. David, and others
discussed the methods in length. Mr. Cauchy assured that the
recommendations will be followed up.
Mr. Trond thinks this central meeting and the other meetings are
democratically discussing the platform. The task is to discuss the
proposals and the weaknesses of the platform.
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The Norwegian meeting submits its opinion.
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Ms. Laney Thomas read the document. The first subject was trade
organizations. The five concrete basic proposals are the right to
agriculture. The right to one's own environmental standards. The third is
no patent on life. The fourth recommendation for the Third World to use
local resources. The fifth that local culture assures sovereignty.
Sr. Riso, new to the Alliance, has a doubt as to its competence, and how
it relates to other organizations. Where is the action? This is also his
recommendation. Mr. Cauchy answered that few of the other institutions
have a platform and they agree to the ideas of the Alliance. Many
organizations are preparing the future, just like Alliance. It has no
president, no central parliament, but it is trying to act for humankind.
Ms. Marisa understands Mr. Riso's anxiety. The platform is talking about
the past, but time is progressing. The platform is a place from where one
must move on, but it is a reference. The Alliance is the union of people
who want to build a better world.
Mr. Ronald Léger went back to the illustration of the tree. He is
uncomfortable with the platform, even if it is an important document. It
is admitted that the roots are French. It is not global. He proposes to
abandon it. Hopefully it has also produced seeds, in addition to branches
and flowers. International and variegated and diverse groups should write
statements, in order to draft a global paper.
Ms. Marisa defended the platform and the French. This question should be
submitted to the foundation. A lot of money has been spent, lots of energy
has been spent. Mr. Cauchy remembered that there were others, not only
French. Besides, he does not think the present delgates can blow up the
platform here, and if we want to use the seeds, there no reason the cut off
the tree. David thinks an identity is needed. There is need for a link, a
beginning, whether it is called a platform or a statement.
Mr. Cauchy summarized the ideas for recommendations of changes and the
amendments which would make people feel more comfortable about the
document. Ms. Sizoo stressed that no text will satisfy everybody but it
does unite the Alliance, and it is a basis for development. Mr. Cauchy
stated that we are learning to be humble.
Another member admits that mistakes are being made and asks if the Alliance
is aware of the sufferings. He understands the platform to be a basis to
face the imbalances. He proposes the word addition for the recommendations.
Mr. Cauchy thanked everyone and closed the meeting at 13:05.
Mme. Chaponay said the problem is now to put all this together to see what
the workshop did. Mr. Rabah said a few final words.
END