Mientras que la debacle económica y social sufrida por el pueblo argentino en 2001, luego de haber seguido las directivas del Fondo Monetario Internacional (FMI), ha sido ampliamente documentada, la notable recuperación que ha tenido lugar desde entonces ha recibido hasta el momento escasa atención. En los pocos años que han seguido a la valiente decisión del gobierno argentino de tratar con el FMI en base a una mayor igualdad, la economía argentina ha crecido a una envidiable tasa anual cercana al 10%, la pobreza se ha reducido en 18 puntos desde un zenit del 40%, el desempleo ha bajado al 11.1%, las inversiones extranjeras crecen rápidamente, y el valor de las exportaciones continúa ascendiendo. Y todo ello sin el FMI.   more »

I am writing this from Istanbul, where some 150 delegates from 60 countries around the world, including several CIVICUS members and partners, came together for three days for the first ever Global Forum on Civil Society Law. One of the workshops that were held in Istanbul by CIVICUS was a consultation on a global campaign that we are developing to create a charter on civil society rights. We are at an early stage of developing this campaign and invite all those who might be interested to join this effort. For now, we simply want to share our thinking, invite your comment and encourage your participation.   more »

I am writing this from Bangkok, where the Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID) is holding its global forum under the theme: “How does Change Happen?” About 2000 delegates from as many as 120 countries have gathered to look at gender equality and change in the current global context. One of the issues that is receiving significant attention is the question of how we can change the current global trading system so that it is fair, equitable and just, and serves all the people on the planet. As many civil society organisations around the world are finalising their preparations in the run-up to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) meeting in Hong Kong in December, it is worth asking why trade justice is important to every citizen in the world today.   more »