 Washington Fair Trade Coalition Working on behalf of people and the planet for a fair global trading system |
||||
|
News & Events >> Fair Trade News April 2008 | ||||
|
Fair Trade News April 2008 Newsletter of the Washington Fair Trade Coalition In this issue:
Andy Gussert visiting Seattle - workshop at 4/24 Board meeting The Washington Fair Trade Coalition is pleased to announce the visit of Andy Gussert, director of Citizens Trade Campaign (CTC)! Andy will be in Seattle from April 23-27, and will be taking part in a number of activities to help motivate, inform and inspire WFTC members on the current state of trade policy. For those who don't know, CTC is a national coalition based in DC with which the WFTC is affiliated, and which works in similar ways to our coalition to fight for fair trade. CTC provides us with invaluable updates and assistance on trade policy issues, and we are excited that Andy will be coming here to work with more of our Board members and friends on these issues. The main date for you to note is that Andy will be leading a workshop during our next quarterly Board meeting, which will be on Thursday, April 24 from 1-3pm at the Labor Temple. His workshop is titled: "The State of Play in Trade Today" and will provide updates on current trade-related legislation, the presidential candidates' positions on trade and what they mean, the status of pending FTAs, among other issues. This is a great chance to hear up-to-the-minute information, ask questions, and strategize about how we can work together both locally and nationally to bring about fair trade policy in the next administration. We hope you come along! We are also scheduling smaller meetings with Andy and interested member organizations.
Colombia FTA - will Bush force a vote? It is possible that President Bush will force a vote on the Colombia FTA as early as next week, information from DC indicates. Although most assessments still show that most Congress members oppose the FTA and that, if introduced, it will be voted down, Bush still seems determined to bring this FTA by hook or by crook. The extremely controversial nature of this FTA and the number of Congress members in opposition has made it appear unlikely to be introduced. However, there may be negotiations in play between Democratic Congress members and the Executive branch on "deals" that might make the Colombia FTA more palatable for them - for example, an extended Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program. It isn't clear exactly how TAA can begin to make up for heinous murders of labor unionists, insufficient environmental protections, and the other concerns readers of this newsletter share, but politics works in mysterious ways! The Washington Fair Trade Coalition and our member organizations are all extremely concerned about this FTA, but no actions are being called for yet - we want to evaluate developments and see if the FTA does, in fact, get introduced. However, watch this space! And keep your fair trade/human rights/pro-environment energies at the ready just in case.
Reminder: Upcoming events in Washington State **TONIGHT** - A Nastier NAFTA: The Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America The Community Alliance for Global Justice invites you to hear three critical policy and advocacy analysts unravel some of the myths and legitimate concerns about the unknown and undemocratic Security & Prosperity Partnership, an extension of the North American Free Trade Agreement that the leaders of Canada, US and Mexico have been negotiating for the past 2 years under the radar of elected officials and the general public. NAFTA's inception in 1994 has ignited various human security, environmental, and immigration issues, leading us to question: Why continue forcing failed economic integration, when lives, labor, and our environment continue to be at stake? What: A Nastier NAFTA: The Security and Prosperity Partnership of N. America Where: Labor Temple (Hall 6) 2800 1st Avenue, Seattle, WA 98121 When: Thursday April 3rd, 6:30 - 9:00 PM Cost: Free! Refreshments will be provided. Why: It's a sneaky attack on trade justice that is not receiving enough attention by the media or our elected leaders. [See http://www.globalexchange.org/spp.html for more information] With whom: Community Alliance for Global Justice hosting a Global Exchange Speakers Tour, with: Carleen Pickard, Regional Organizer, Council of Canadians Hector Sanchez, Hector Sanchez is the Policy Education Coordinator, Global Exchange's Mexico Program John Gibler, independent journalist who has been covering Mexico's social movements since early 2006 John Gibler recently replaced Manuel Pérez Rocha on this tour due to the early arrival of a baby! Co-Sponsors: Americans in Solidarity, Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador (CISPES), Temple Beth Am Social Action, WA Fair Trade Coalition If you have questions, please contact CAGJ: 206.405.4600
Witness for Peace Speaker Tour The Roots of Migration: Free Trade, Debt and Survival in Nicaragua
The second most impoverished country in the Western Hemisphere, Nicaragua has struggled for years under the burden of internal and external debt. Take a deeper look into the effects of free trade, debt and immigration on the Nicaraguan people.
Witness for Peace Northwest invites you to join us for a discussion with Yamileth Perez, Nicaraguan community leader.
Monday, April 7th
Thursday, April 10th 7:00 p.m. Redmond Library 15810 NE 85th St., Redmond
Hear the story of one remarkable Nicaraguan woman who lives and works in a community near the Managua city dump. Yamileth will share the first-hand impact of free trade and debt and the resulting increase of migration and poverty on the people of Nicaragua.
This event is open to the public. Professional interpretation (Spanish-English) provided.
For more information, please contact Regional Organizer Beth Poteet, or 503.287.7847 Event co-sponsors include: Plymouth Church Border Ministry Team, Jubilee Northwest, Witness for Peace Northwest, Washington Fair Trade Coalition Also don't forget about the first ever Seattle Green Festival! It will take place April 12-13 at the Washington State Convention Center. For more details check out http://www.greenfestivals.org/content/view/767/390/
For further reading
"Did your Shopping List Kill a Songbird?"
"Colombian Troops Kill Farmers, Pass off Bodies as Rebels'" |
||||
|
606 Maynard Ave S • Suite 252 • Seattle, WA 98104 | ||||