> ----------
> From: 	Nicola Bullard
> Sent: 	Sunday, February 21, 1999 6:19 PM
> To: 	[log in to unmask]
> Subject: 	International Conference Announcement
> 
> ************  Urgent Announcement  **************
> 
> INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
> 
> Economic Sovereignty in a Globalising World: 
> Creating People Centred Economics for the 21st Century
> 
> 23-26 March 1999
> Bangkok, Thailand
> 
> *********************************************
> 
> REGISTRATION
> For more information and registration, please go to our website 
> http://focusweb.org and click to 'Upcoming Focus Conference'
> 
> If you have difficulties sending the registration form from the website, 
> please print the completed form and fax to us at 66 2 255 9976. 
> 
> You will also find the registration form at the end of this message. 
> You can fill it in and send it to Jim at [log in to unmask]
> 
> All registrations will be acknowledged within three days, so if you do 
> not hear from us please contact Jim at [log in to unmask]
> 
> Registrations close on 7 March 1999
> 
> PLEASE NOTE: ALL SPEAKERS, PANELISTS AND 
> PARTICIPANTS MUST REGISTER USING THE FORM ON 
> THE WEBSITE OR AT THE END OF THIS MESSAGE
> 
> 
> ****************************************
> 
> ABOUT THE CONFERENCE
> 
> Economic Sovereignty in a Globalising World
> Creating People-Centred Economics for the 21st Century
> Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University
> Bangkok, March 24-26, 1999
> 
> 
> WHY ARE WE HAVING THIS CONFERENCE?
> While financial analysts assess the global financial crisis in terms of 
> stock market indexes and currency values, the real impact is being 
> borne by the millions of people who are being pushed further into 
> poverty as we approach the new millennium. Generations will inherit a 
> debt not of their making, and as the human costs of the crisis continue 
> to mount, speculators and currency traders escape virtually unscathed.
> 
> Uncontrolled speculative investment and currency trading have a 
> devastating effect on economic stability and long-term development. 
> The crisis has shown that national economies no longer have control 
> over vital aspects of economic policy, and that they too are subject to 
> the whims of the market.
> 
> The inability of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank to 
> respond to the crisis with appropriate policies has called into question 
> their capacity to understand and react to the needs of people in a 
> rapidly changing global economy. A growing number of critics are 
> now calling for a thorough review of these institutions' policies and 
> decision making processes.
> 
> The dire human consequences of this demand our attention. It is 
> imperative that international economic relations be reviewed and 
> reshaped to control speculation, regulate financial markets and reduce 
> inequalities between nations, while promoting economic democracy 
> and fostering sustainable development.
> 
> All these measures and reforms should aim to give local communities, 
> national governments and regional groupings the chance to pursue 
> economic policies which meet the needs of people, instead of the 
> markets.
> 
> 
> WHAT ARE WE AIMING TO DO?
> Develop a deeper understanding of the nature and role of financial 
> capital and its impact on local, national and regional economic 
> development; closely examine existing and proposed regulatory 
> mechanisms, with the aim of regulating financial capital, fostering 
> productive investment and promoting sustainable 'people-centred' 
> development. 
> 
> Review national, regional and international financial institutions and 
> their programs; propose new mechanisms and institutions, or reforms 
> to those already in existence, in order to increase their accountability 
> and democracy. 
> 
> Create a platform of joint action that articulates agreed principles, 
> defines common objectives and demands, and produces concrete 
> proposals for economic reform. 
> 
> 
> WHY IS THIS CONFERENCE DIFFERENT?
> The unique feature of this conference is that it brings together 
> individuals and networks from all regions of the globe at a time when 
> the issues of financial regulation and financial architecture are high on 
> the international political agenda.
> 
> During the conference, there will be four working groups, focusing on 
> the areas of: Institutional Reform & New Institutions; Market Reform 
> & Regulatory Mechanisms; National Political & Policy Reform; and 
> People-Centred Alternatives. Each working group will identify 
> priorities, articulate demands and proposals, and develop education 
> and campaign strategies. Each participant will select a working group 
> for the whole conference.
> 
> Plenaries have been scheduled each day, which explore a broad range 
> of topics related to the conference. There will also be in-depth panels 
> providing information on pertinent issues, such as local responses to 
> the crisis, speculation taxes and capital controls.
> 
> WHO IS SPONSORING THE CONFERENCE?
> The conference is being hosted by Focus on the Global South, and is 
> co-sponsored by Development Alternatives for Women in a New Era 
> (DAWN), the Structural Adjustment Participatory Review Initiatives 
> Network (SAPRIN) and Focus on the Global South. Focus, DAWN 
> and SAPRIN have already initiated discussions with groups 
> worldwide. 
> 
> We hope that national and regional working groups can informally 
> prepare for the conference, contribute to the development of the 
> agenda, identify key participants and follow-up after the conference.
> 
> Invited speakers will be asked to prepare a short discussion paper on 
> a given topic. The deadline for papers is March 7, 1999. This will 
> allow time for the papers to be processed and posted to the 
> conference website: http://www.focusweb.org. Panelists will prepare 
> a brief synopsis of key issues, problems and policy recommendations 
> related to their topic, also due by March 7, 1999.
> 
> It will be assumed that all participants will have read the conference 
> papers beforehand so that the conference itself can focus on the 
> debate of substantive issues and preparing an agenda for action.
> We are excited about this conference and its potential for developing 
> an international network armed with strategies and committed to 
> action. We look forward to seeing all of you in Bangkok in March. 
> 
> *********************************************
> 
> CONFERENCE PROGRAMME
> (To Be Finalised)
> 
> Evening of 23 March 1999
> 
> Opening session
> Welcome by representative of Thai peoples' organisation 
> Welcome by Chair of the Board of Focus on the Global South, 
> Gothom Arya, Election Commission of Thailand
> Keynote speech: Rubens Ricupero, Secretary-General United 
> Nations Conference on Trade and Development (invited)       
> 
> Plenary I
> 
> Why are we having this conference now?
> A short history of neo-liberalism: twenty years of elite economics and 
> emerging opportunities for structural change
> Susan George, author, France
> Strategies and alliances for effective action
> Walden Bello, Focus on the Global South, Thailand
> 
> Plenary II
> 
> Global financial markets
> How the financial casino works.     
> Hazel Henderson, author        
> Can finance be controlled? 
> Manfred Bienefeld, Carleton University, Canada 
> Governance of the global economy Kamal Malhotra, Focus on the 
> Global South, Thailand
> 
> 
> Plenary III
> 
> The management and prevention of financial crises (to be advised)
> The link between national and international financial controls
> Walden Bello and Marco Mezzera, Focus on the Global South, 
> Thailand
> Regulation or reform: Who benefits from establishment proposals?
> Patrick Bond, Wits University, Republic of South Africa & Nicola 
> Bullard, Focus on the Global South, Thailand
> 
> 
> Plenary IV
> 
> Beyond the Keynesian consensus
> What is Keynesian economics and what are its limitations?
> Jayati Ghosh, Jawaharlal Nehru University, India
> Women: a missing factor in traditional economics
> (to be advised)
> Production, scarcity and the environment
> Dr Elmar Altvater, FU Berlin
> The Keynesian State. Yash Tandon, International South Group 
> Network, Zimbabwe
> 
> 
> Plenary V
> 
> Political strategies and campaigns
> Turning the international agenda into local action - lessons from the 
> MAI and 'fast-track' campaigns: Lori Wallach, Public Citizen, USA
> Obstacles to and opportunities for local action: Forum of the Poor, 
> Thailand
> 
> 
> Parallel panels scheduled over three days, four at a time
> 
> 1. The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank
> The IMF in Russia: Boris Kagarlitsky, economist, Russia
> What lies beyond the Washington consensus? Joseph Stiglitz, Chief 
> Macroeconomist, World Bank (invited)
> Is the Washington consensus really cracking? Robin Broad, American 
> University, Washington DC
> Is the IMF reformable? Richard Leaver, Flinders University, South 
> Australia
> 
> 2. Food, natural resources and finance
> The financial crisis and food security in Indonesia: Oba'dullah Khan, 
> former Asia regional director for FAO (invited)
> Natural resources and the environment: silent victim of the financial 
> crisis: Emmy Hafild, WAHLI, Indonesia
> Food as a commodity - a case study of shrimps: Yadfon Association, 
> Thailand and Peter Riggs, Rockerfeller Brothers Fund, USA
> Alternative Farmers Network, Fisherfolks Network and Natural 
> Resources Network, Thailand
> La Via Campesina
> 
> 3. Finance, foreign direct investment, foreign ownership and 
> privatisation
> Jayati Ghosh, Jawaharlal Nehru University, India
> Charles Abugre, Third World Network, Ghana
> Jessica Woodruff, World Development, UK
> The Korean experience of FDI and foreign ownership: Joosung Jun, 
> Ehwa University, Korea 
> Breaking the dependence on foreign finance: Patrick Bond, Wits 
> University South Africa
> Privatisation: a case study of Malaysia: Subramanian Pillay, University 
> of Science, Malaysia 
> Privatisation with peoples' participation: Bangchak Petroleum 
> Company, Ltd. Thailand
> 
> 4. International measures: Bankruptcy and debt
> Standstill and orderly workouts - prevention & cure? (top be advised)
> An international Chapter 11: Zhi Cui, Massachusetts Institute of 
> Technology 
> When dictators pass debt to democrats: The Doctrine of Odious Debt 
> and the legacy of apartheid-caused debt in Southern Africa, Dr 
> Molefe Tsele, Jubilee 2000, South Africa
> 
> 5. International measures: Speculation taxes
> Filomeno Santa Ana, Action for Economic Reform, Philippines
> Is the Tobin Tax do-able? Roger Schmidt, Fellow of the Canadian 
> International Development Research Centre , Vietnam
> Is the Tobin tax a red herring? Bruno Jetin, ATTAC, France
> 
> 6. National measures: Capital controls
> The debate about capital controls: Sumangala Damidara
> Country studies: Policy objectives and effectiveness
> Taiwan and India: Jayati Ghosh and CP Chandrasekar
> Malaysia: Martin Khor, Third World Network, Malaysia
> Chile: Andreas Uthoff B., CEPA (invited) 
> 
> 7. National measures: Banks and financial institutions
> Case studies of Thai and Mexican financial sector reform: who wins, 
> who loses? Paiboon Wattanasiritham, Foundation for Thailand Rural 
> Reconstruction Movement & Enrique Valencia, Observatorio Social, 
> Mexico (invited)
> The role of Central Banks and the Bank for International Settlements 
> 
> 8. National measures: Budgets and taxes
> Democratising the Budget: Leonor Briones, National Treasurer, 
> Philippines (invited)
> Peoples participation in budget analysis: Madhusudhan Mistry, 
> DISHA, India (invited)
> 
> 9. Local responses
> Alternatives to big banks: community currencies and co-operatives: 
> Thai Savings Group, Thailand and SEWA, India, Vijay Mahajan, 
> BASIX, India (invited), Luis Lopezllera, Promocion del dessarroyo 
> popular, Mexico
> Microfinancing: market ideology dressed up as development? (to be 
> advised)
> Case study from Via Campesina
> 
> 10. National alternatives
> The myth of the weak state or Belarus: the country that can say no! 
> Boris Kagarlitsky 
> Indonesia: buying back the nation: Faisal Basri, University of 
> Indonesia  (invited)
> Mexico: developing an economic policy from the ground up: 
> Alejandro Nadal, Mexico
> South Korea: alternatives to the corporate state? KCTU (invited)
> 
> 11. Regional alternatives
> Americas Area Alternatives: Alejandro Villamar, RMALC, Mexico 
> and Roberto Bissio, Instituto del Tercer Mindo, Uruguay (invited)
> ASEAN: clinging together or sinking together?  Suthad  
> Setboonsarng, ASEAN Secretariat (invited), Manuel Montes, East 
> West Centre, University of Hawaii (invited)
> Europe: Miren Etxezarreta, Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona, 
> Spain 
> Japan: The Asian Monetary Fund and the Miyazawa Initiative: 
> Hirakawa Hitoshi, Japan (invited)
> Pacific Island States: Claire Slatter, DAWN, Henry Wira, Pacific 
> Islands Association of Non-government Organisations, Solomon 
> Islands (invited),  Lopeti Senitulu, Pacific Resource Centre, Fiji 
> (invited)
> Africa: Yassine Fall, Association of African Women on Research and 
> Development, Senegal & Dr Molefe Tesle, Jubilee 2000, South Africa
> 
> Four core working groups will have scheduled meetings over three 
> days
> 
> Institutional reforms & new institutions 
> Market reform & regulatory mechanisms 
> National political & policy reform 
> People-centred alternatives
> 
> ***********************************************
> 
> ABOUT THE CO-SPONSORS
> SAPRIN arose out of a major initiative with World Bank President 
> Jim Wolfensohn to assess the impact of various adjustment measures 
> on diverse population groups, economic and social sectors. The 
> Structural Adjustment Participatory Review Initiative (SAPRI) makes 
> proposals to the World Bank and governments for changes in 
> economic adjustment programs and in economic policy making 
> processes. Through this, the SAPRI Network (SAPRIN) seeks to 
> legitimize local knowledge in the analysis of economic-reform 
> programs, and institutionalize grassroots involvement in 
> macroeconomic decision-making. It thereby attempts to help 
> governments and international institutions understand how adjustment 
> measures move through local economies and into peoples' lives.
> 
> DAWN is a network of women scholars and activists from the 
> economic South who engage in feminist research and and are 
> committed to working for equitable, just and sustainable development. 
> DAWN's current program cycle is emphasizing work at the regional 
> level to connect more closely with the priorities of women's and civil 
> society organizations, and help strengthen their capacity to deal with 
> issues arising from the impacts of globalization. DAWN's research 
> themes provide the central focus for its work at both global and 
> regional levels. These research themes are Political Economy of 
> Globalization, Sexual and Reproductive Rights, Sustainable 
> Livelihoods and Political Restructuring and Social Transformation.
> 
> Focus on the Global South is dedicated to regional and global policy 
> analysis and advocacy work. Focus also concentrates on linking 
> grassroots experiences to macro level issues such as trade 
> liberalisation and the International Monetary Fund. Focus is working 
> to strengthen the capacity of organisations of the poor and 
> marginalised people of the South, to better analyse and understand the 
> impacts of the globalisation process on their daily lives.
> 
> FOR MORE INFORMATION
> Contact Geoffrey Keele on (T) 66 2 218-7363 (F) 66 2 255-9976 
> or Email at [log in to unmask]
> 
> ************************************************
> 
> REGISTRATION FORM 
> SPEAKERS & PANELISTS
> 
> Economic Sovereignty in a Globalising World :
> Creating People-Centred Economics for the 21st  Century
> March 23-26, 1999
> Bangkok, Thailand
> 
> Name
> Organisation
> Position
> Postal address
> Country
> Telephone
> Facsimile
> Email
> Website
> 
> Flight schedules 
> *participants should arrive by the evening of 23 March for the 
> opening session
> 
> * Arrival : 		Date			Flight number
> * Departure : 	Date			Flight number
> Estimated airfare cost (US dollars)
> 
> Reimbursement method
> * cash
> * bank transfer
> You will need to bring all receipts and your bank account details to 
> the conference before we can process your reimbursement. You can 
> claim visa fee, departures taxes and airport transfers. All 
> accommodation and meals will be paid by the organisers in Bangkok.
> 
> Accommodation
> You will be booked at the university hotel or a hotel nearby and 
> accommodation and meals will be fully paid for the duration of the 
> conference. If you have to stay longer due to flight schedule 
> restrictions, the conference will cover costs. Any other costs, for 
> example extra nights, telephone, 
> laundry, etc.  are your own responsibility.
> 
> Working Groups Selection
> Working groups will meet throughout the conference to draft the 
> conference action plan. Please indicate which group you would like to 
> join :
> 
> * I. Market reform & regulatory mechanisms
> * II. Institutional reforms & new institutions
> * III. National political & policy reform
> * IV. People-Centred alternatives
> (delete the groups you DO NOT select)
> 
> Dietary requirement (if any)
> 
> Please return your registration to [log in to unmask] or fax number 
> 662-255-9976 attention to Jim by March 5, 1999.
> 
> 
> ************************************************
> 
> REGISTRATION FORM
> PARTICIPANTS
> 
> Economic Sovereignty in a Globalising World :
> Creating People-Centred Economics for the 21st  Century
> March 23-26, 1999
> Bangkok, Thailand
> 
> Name
> Organisation
> Position
> Postal address
> Country
> Telephone
> Facsimile
> Email
> Website
> 
> Note: participants should arrive by the evening of 23 March for the 
> opening session *
> 
> Do you need any financial assistance ?		yes		no
> If yes, how much is your airfare ? 			(US dollars)
> Can you or your organisation offer financial 
> assistance to other participants ?			yes		no
> If so, how much ?
> 
> Reimbursement (if applicable)
> * cash
> * bank transfer
> (delete the option you DO NOT select)
> 
> Please note that accommodation will be receive an accommodation 
> allowance of US$25 per night (including breakfast) not the actual 
> cost. 
> You will need to bring all receipts and your bank account details to 
> the conference before your claim can be processed.
> 
> Working Groups Selection
> Working groups will meet throughout the conference to draft the 
> conference action plan. Please indicate which group you would like to 
> join :
> 
> * I. Market reform & regulatory mechanisms
> * II. Institutional reforms & new institutions
> * III. National political & policy reform
> * IV. People-centred alternatives
> (delete the groups you DO NOT select)
> 
> Dietary requirement (if any)
> 
> Accommodation
> You need to arrange your own accommodation. 
> 
> Participants receiving financial assistance will receive an 
> accommodation allowance (including breakfast) of US$25 per night, 
> not the actual cost. Any additional cost will be the responsibility of the
> 
> participants. See Accommodation (on website) for hotel listings.
> 
> Please return your registration to [log in to unmask] or by fax number 
> 662-255-9976 attention to Jim by March 5, 1999.
> 
> *************************************************
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Focus on the Global South (FOCUS)
> c/o CUSRI, Chulalongkorn University	
> Bangkok 10330 THAILAND
> Tel: 662 218 7363/7364/7365/7383	
> Fax: 662 255 9976		
> E-mail: [log in to unmask]
> Web Page   http://www.focusweb.org   
> 
> Staff email addresses:
> ----------------------
> Walden Bello		[log in to unmask]
> Kamal Malhotra		[log in to unmask]
> Chanida  Bamford	[log in to unmask]
> Nicola Bullard          [log in to unmask]
> Ehito Kimura            [log in to unmask]
> Li Kheng Poh            [log in to unmask]
> Marco Mezzera           [log in to unmask]
> Regina Abesamis         [log in to unmask]
> Soontaree Narkviroj     [log in to unmask]
> Jim Charoonpatarapong   [log in to unmask]
> Ranee Hassarungsee      [log in to unmask]
> Mayuree Ruechakieattikul	[log in to unmask]
> ____________________________________________________
> 
> 
> Focus on the Global South (FOCUS)
> c/o CUSRI, Chulalongkorn University	
> Bangkok 10330 THAILAND
> Tel: 662 218 7363/7364/7365/7383	
> Fax: 662 255 9976		
> E-mail: [log in to unmask]
> Web Page   http://www.focusweb.org   
> 
> Staff email addresses:
> ----------------------
> Walden Bello		[log in to unmask]
> Kamal Malhotra		[log in to unmask]
> Chanida  Bamford	[log in to unmask]
> Nicola Bullard          [log in to unmask]
> Ehito Kimura            [log in to unmask]
> Li Kheng Poh            [log in to unmask]
> Marco Mezzera           [log in to unmask]
> Regina Abesamis         [log in to unmask]
> Soontaree Narkviroj     [log in to unmask]
> Jim Charoonpatarapong   [log in to unmask]
> Ranee Hassarungsee      [log in to unmask]
> Mayuree Ruechakieattikul	[log in to unmask]
> ____________________________________________________
> 


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