Globalisation & Trade
Objectives
- To make aware the relationship between our economic activities, the consequences of deepening poverty and increasing wealth, and the ecology.
- To build and advocate economic initiatives at national levels to help reduce poverty, increase wealth distribution and protect the ecology.
- Initiate discussions and build alliances around an alternative economic system based on the Island of Hope document.
Activities (to achieve the Objectives)
- Conduct research on the link between poverty, wealth and the ecology. The emphasis would be on answering the following questions: How does increasing poverty and wealth relate to the environmental crisis? What are the economic principles existing in culture and tradition, and in other countries, that can help forge a new economic model for local communities? Are there any existing local initiatives that can be cited as examples of sustainable economy?
- Conduct national seminars on the Island of Hope document. The seminars will specifically look at the basis of a regional identity based on the values in the document, and identify strategies to move the initiative forward.
- Have discussions with church and political leaders and regional and local institutions on opinions for a new economic model in view of the research results and the need to forge new ways of conducting economic activities. Out of these discussions, a strategy to build strong alliances on core economic values will be devised and discussed further with the leaders.
Programme Assessment
Performance
A joint partnership with the Pacific Network of Globalisation (PANG) was achieved in 2009 resulting in the launch of a publication Speaking Truth to Power
PCC member churches in Vanuatu, Tonga and the Solomon Islands sought the accompaniment of PCC in their meetings with Australian government trade officials in 2009. PCC gave its views on the trade agreements pursued by Australia and New Zealand and also advised the churches on how they should respond in their discussions with the two governments.
Regional workshops on new trade regimes were conducted in the latter part of 2009. As a result, a working group was formed and a research paper produced. The paper will be discussed further at the Pacific Church Leader’s meeting scheduled for August 2010 in Auckland, New Zealand.
The Chiang Mai consultation on poverty, wealth and ecology strengthened PCC’s view of the connection between the economy and ecology and the need for the two programs to work together.
Relevance
Issues pertaining to the economic well-being of PCC church members will continue to be a point of contention. However, addressing the issues effectively would depend largely on how well the activities are planned and conducted.
Outcomes
There is a clear connection between trade, consumerism and poverty – and they both contribute to the advancing ecological change.
Thus PCC’s activities need to focus more on these issues and the effects it will have on Pacific communities.
An important aspect that needs to be further developed is investing in development projects such as poverty alleviation schemes, clean energy projects as alternatives to projects that rely on fossil fuel, and community building initiatives.
Advocacy at regional and international levels on economical and ecological matters will continue to be the backbone of national capacity building and development initiatives. This would also include research.
Work Done Up to Date
- Workshop on Globalization and Trade issues and Island of Hope: Chuuk (FSM) 19–22 October 2009
- Workshop on Island of Hope: New Caledonia 23–26 November 2009
- Presentation of the Draft Position Paper for PCC on Economic Globalisation and Trade issues: Fiji 18 December 2009
- Presentation on the linkages on Poverty, Wealth creation and Ecology crisis: Fiji 21 January 2010
- Sending of the position paper of PCC to member churches for comment: February 2010
- Regional Consultations on Alternatives to Economic Globalisation and Trade issues: Fiji 15–19 February 2010
- Meeting with Trade officials from the Australia and New Zealand Embassies: Fiji, March 2010
- Workshop on Alternatives to Economic Globalisation and Trade issues: Solomon Islands, March 2010
- Workshop on Alternatives to Economic Globalisation and Trade issues: Vanuatu, April 2010
- Workshop on Island of Hope Alternatives: New Caledonia, April 2010
- Research on Tourism and its impact in the Pacific: Fiji, April 2010
- Provide regular updates and brief on Economic Globalisation and Trade related matters to PCC members: Ongoing