TUESDAY SESSION 1
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Attendees introduce themselves and mention the organizations they represent.
Each attendee makes a brief description of the work they are currently
involved in .
Please see the list of participants for the names of the 25 attendees.
Introduction continues and the group has not started the actual discussion
of the issues concerning society and the economy.
Attendees now all stand up and proceed to do physical exercises, because
the time here is early afternoon and people may get sleepy.
The theme economy and society is very broad. We need to focus on the
important issues of our theme and come up with a common view of them.
First, we will try to reach a vision that is both national and global.
Secondly, we will examine the common areas that bring us together. The
document Building a Global Alliance to Face Social Apartheid contains
evaluations and proposals and we will use that document as the basis of our
work here. Thirdly, we should visualize lines of action together with the
Allies. Thus, we will have:
1 - mission - vision structure.
2 - concrete goals.
3 - Evaluation of our reality.
4 - strategies of action.
5 - Strengths and weaknesses of the Alliance.
A suggestion was made about alternative economic systems to start the
discussion. Another suggestion to change the order of discussion proposed.
Another suggestion to name as priorities the three first points.
A possible mission is to prevent economic globalization from stifling local
economies. Money is controlled by the IMF and we are nobody if we do not
have money. We have now a new demonic religion: money. We must empower
ourselves through spiritual inputs. The West, because of its economic
superiority has become arrogant. We are all equal because we all breathe
and we use it for prayer and for play.
Food security is essential and must be assured to everyone. There are many
papers dealing with this issue. Alternative consumption vis-a-vis
consumerism, respect, return to essentials are the other values we want to
promote. This is opposed to an economic system that is based on profit.
The Brazilian Solidarity Program does not solve the problems of poverty.
The government must provide jobs and opportunities for the people to solve
their personal problems.
Can the Alliance do anything about that problem? This is a question made
remotely by the group in France. We continue this discussion after the
interval.
Break