From Internationalism to Inclusion

The CGP - CICEF seminar in Caracas gathered about 200 people to debate a new internationalism and to analyse the current political developments in Latin America.

The seminar kicked off with general introductions by CGP's Kjeld Jakobsen and CICEF's Carlos Tiburcio. The floor was first given to Samir Amin of Third World Forum, who attended the seminar to replace Ignacio Ramonet. Lori Wallach of Public Citizen and Luiz Dulci of the Brasilian government followed.

Amin presented the Badung 50 initiative that was debated by more than 300 people in Bamako a day before the WSF started there. He stressed the importance of having an agenda for the forum, a controversial issue that is currently dividing the movement. He stressed the world has not passed imperialism, but rather the imperialism exercised by the USA, EU and Japan is stronger than ever.

The South should seek to build a coalition for a multipolar world in order to break free from imperialism.

According to Amin, the stand different actors take as regards capitalism is not the most important issue in today's world. More important is to seek to break the unipolarity. Movements and governments can work in dialogue on the issue.

Lori Wallach gave an insightful presentation on the relationship of civil society and government. She started by saying that the role of civil society is to guarantee a non-privatised government. In the USA democracy is currently in crisis and civil society's efforts are concentrated on restoring it.

Wallach stressed the watchdog role of civil society. As an example of where this is needed she used the concept of national interest. The interpretations of the concept in government and civil society differ.

She sees the inability of progressive governments to implement a radically different paradigm as the biggest shortfall in civil society and government co-operation .

Minister Luiz Dulci stressed the need for the systematic criticism of neoliberalism and the construction of concrete alternatives. The progressive movement needs to seek an economically, socially and culturally new world order. The forum has been a place to create new spirit of internationalism and the Latin American development has contributed to it in a dynamic way. Civil society is becoming more and more aware of itself as a political subject.

New internationalism presents itself differently in civil society and government. These form a dynamic process as progressive governments have their roots in the people they govern.

Dulci mentioned two examples of new internationalism. The first is the wave of international syndicalism. The Latin American workers of Italian car giant Fiat have organised themselves. He stressed the importance of such developments. The other was the co-operation of Brasil and Venezuela in the oil sector, which is an example of Latin American solidarity. In his closing words he pointed out that the new international left needs to propose new solutions to new problems rather and maintain plurality as its key component. Leftist governments need civil society mobilisation to achieve transformation.

A lively exchange between the panellists and the audience followed. Carlos Tiburcio closed the event thanking all participants for their contributions. The message of the panel remained clear: marginalised groups have a place in the dynamic of the Latin American politics and civil society.

Citizens' Global Platform (Finland)
Mikko Sauli

mikko.sauli @ welho.com