Alliance for Responsible Trade

The people's permanent tribunal is an international non-governmental organization which is attempting to make permanent something which began in 1966 as the Russel Tribunals about Vietnam and in 1974 challenging the dictators in Latin America.  This is a Tribunal which has the opinion that it is important to continually shed light on the impunity which some governments exercise and the resistance of the people against multiple and systematic violations of human rights which they are subject to, and which their countries are internally unable to contain. 

1) Bolivia: Evo Morales' Letter, on E.U. immigration policies.
2) Brazil: Social movements protest big business and Lula's neo-liberal politics
3) The FAO Summit in Roma was a complete failure
4) Argentina: Two looks at the conflict between the government and the "ruralistas"
5) Ecuador: Open letter in support of the Debt Audit Commission
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International trade can be one engine of economic progress for developing countries.But the United States and developing countries alike need fair and just trade agreements that are genuinely shaped to meet the goals of sustainable development and poverty reduction.
This statement, Elements for Fair and Just Trade Policies, recently prepared by the IWG, enumerates the key elements we believe must be part of a new framework for U.S. trade policy. The Elements statement is followed by a text, Trade As If People and Earth Matter: A Working Document on Alternatives. This text, proposed by the Interfaith Working Group itself, contains more detailed recommendations built upon the Elements.
The document seeks to contribute to the emerging dialogue on a new framework for trade that holds the promise of promoting just and sustainable development.

1) The new referendums in Bolivia were marked by a high level of abstention
2) Peru's proposal about Decision 486 will be voted on June 21st
3) Ecuador: An audit of the external debt continues
4) Mexico: Food for Mexico's campesinos: Hunger doesn't wait
5) Central America: U.S. objectives move forward in Plan Puebla Panama and the Mérida initiative
6) Colombia: Government represses indigenous social mobilization with lethal weapons

QUITO, Ecuador (AP) - November 20

Ecuador's leftist President Rafael Correa will control more than 60 percent of an assembly writing a new constitution for the politically unstable nation, according to official election results Monday.

June 27-July 1, 2007

ART is offering a full slate of dynamic workshops together with our partner networks from Mexico, Central and South America and Canada. For a full description of workshops, times and locations, read more.

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Report from Brazil

“A Change of Epochs”

Recently, the newly elected President of Ecuador stated, “This is not an Epoch of Changes, rather a Change of Epochs”.   Members of the HSA traced their trajectory over the last 10 years, identifying pivotal contributions the alliance has made in facilitating this “Change of an Epoch” that is unfolding in South America.  In 2001, when the HSA decided that it needed to mount and campaign against the FTAA,  the only president  opposing the FTAA was Cuba’s Fidel Castro – today he is joined by the Presidents of Brazil, Venezuela, Ecuador and Bolivia.  This dramatic political shift has been brought about by the vigorous work of the social movements in the hemisphere over the past twenty years.

We did it! Thanks to your support, Tom flew out late yesterday for the Hemispheric Social Alliance Meeting in Brazil. He wanted to pass along his thanks for all of the activity and donations that made this trip possible. Attending this meeting is a real win for the Alliance for Responsible Trade and for the dream of building bridges between people on a firm foundation of justice.