globalization

"Caring for the life of all we demand justice globally"

A Women's Declaration on the Occasion of the World Economic Forum Davos

"Around 70 women gathered on January 20, 2001 at the Protestant Academy Boldern, Switzerland for a day of action around the World Economic Forum Davos... In lectures and hearings with experts from Switzerland, Germany, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic it became clear: In Europe too, globalisation has drastically changed the life conditions of countless people. While a small minority is profiting, ever more people are excluded from the power centers, the decisions and the benefits of globalisation... We are convinced and we know from experience: there are alternatives to this system where the strongest enrich themselves at the expense of the weakest and where economic and political power is monopolised by a few."

For the full text of the declaration, click here

"Caring for the Life of All We Demand Justice Globally"

A Women's declaration on the Occasion of the World Economic Forum Davos

Around 70 women gathered on January 20, 2001 at the Protestant Academy Boldern, Switzerland for a day of action around the World Economic Forum Davos. The event was sponsored by the Boldern Academy, the Ecumenical Women's Movement Zürich, the Swiss and the European Women's Synods, the Women's Church Movement, Switzerland, the Women's Desk of the Christian Peace Service, the European Women's College and Women's Program of the World Council of Churches.

In lectures and hearings with experts from Switzerland, Germany, Bulgaria and the Czech Republic it became clear: In Europe too, globalisation has drastically changed the life conditions of countless people. While a small minority is profiting, ever more people are excluded from the power centers, the decisions and the benefits of globalisation.

Caring for the life of all we demand justice globally!
As women of different nationalities, social origins and conditions of life we nonetheless share the conviction that the developments commonly called "globalisation" have not brought freedom and affluence for all, but have - on the contrary - led to a gigantic concentration of resources in the hands of a few. In all parts of the globe women, children and nature are the main losers of this process. At the same time, globalisation is undermining local cultures, spreading a culture of self-centered individualism and materialism and pushing the world recklessly toward a one dimensional, limitless "global society".

We are convinced and we know from experience: there are alternatives to this system where the strongest enrich themselves at the expense of the weakest and where economic and political power is monopolised by a few.

Alternatives are possible, and do, in fact, already exist!
We understand ourselves as part of the world wide women's movements with their many initiatives toward gender justice and gender democracy, and as part of the global ecumenical movement, whose vision of the unity of humankind and of the whole inhabited earth we share. We are in solidarity with the position of the World Council of Churches, and connect with the European ecumenical network KAIROS, which links many groups which try to put these visions into practice.

Together with these and other movements, such as the Bern Declaration and the Swiss Theologian's Movement for Solidarity and Liberation, we have the vision of a globalisation from below, which is grounded in the following convictions:

A Market Under Social Control
We are convinced that it is possible to have a market where all activities are democratically held responsible to a common social ethics, which is based on the common good, on local needs and on gender justice rather than on the self interest of the powerful and the greed of a wealthy minority.

Localisation instead of Globalisation
If we want alternatives we have to begin with local economies. There are already many examples of functioning networks of such local economies. The aim is to put control of our immediate conditions of life again into the hands of local communities. Needs of daily existence, such as food, water, health, education, and culture, as well as energy, are not trading goods like cars and computers, and should be excluded from the WTO system.

Localisation should function according to the principle of subsidiarity: If possible, all goods that can meaningfully be produced locally/regionally should be produced there. Local and regional economic spaces offer better preconditions for democracy and for economies based on mutuality, solidarity, care for the sustainability of nature and respect of biological and cultural diversity.

Fair Trade
It is necessary to secure a minimal basis for the life of all. Trade is indispensible, but has to be organised fairly for all. Fair trade means trade relations which respect human and labour rights, and where socially and environmentally sustainable goods and products are traded at fair prices. A system which is based on globalisation, liberalisation/deregulation and privatisation often makes fair trade impossible.

No Economy which Destroys Nature
Social behaviour and technologies have to be changed in such a way that the present ecological catastrophes can be stopped and the orientation of the economy reversed. This happens better in local economies, though it does not only happen there. But different, more environmentally friendly technologies will be more readily developed locally.

"What is good for poor and marginalised women is good for all" the declaration of the World Conference of Feminist Liberation Theologians proclaimed in Costa Rica in 1994. This shift of perspective is ours too. We are standing with the marginalised women, children and men, world wide. Only together with them can we develop a future for all and a sustainable world order. Together with them we are putting our feet on the way to Davos, footprints of our demand for justice globally, and for life in Fullness for all.

Let's walk the talk! Women, get going-to Davos!

Protestant Academy
Boldern, Switzerland, 20. 1.2001

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