NEWSLETTERGlobal Campaigns |
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"Joining Hands, the way forward" by Valéry Nodem, Coordinator RELUFA, Cameroon The theme for this year's Joining Hands Consultation was: “Joining Hands, the way forward”. One specific goal of the event was for JH partners to reflect on how to engage with each other in global campaigns, each of us within our respective context, shifting from project-oriented activities to a true, worldwide coalition of international and US based Joining Hands networks campaigning together on common global issues. |
On this page: Global JH Campaign on Natural Resources by Valéry Nodem, Cameroon by Chenoa Stock, Sri Lanka by Andrew Kang-Bartlett, PHP |
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Global Campaign on Natural Resources by Valéry Nodem, RELUFA Coordinator, Cameroon Since the PCUSA officially joined the international Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Campaign by decision of the General Assembly in June 2008, the International Event in Orange was an opportune moment to discuss how to move this campaign within the Presbyterian Church (USA). Besides the presence of the Cameroonian Joining Hands partners, Samuel Nguiffo, Director of the Center for Environment and Development, and RELUFA Coordinator Valery Nodem, also Sarah Pray had been invited as the Coordinator of the PWYP US branch, to help the reflection on how to build a global campaign within JH on Natural Resources.
Context of Resource Extraction Many less developed countries are attracting significant foreign investments for the exploration and extraction of their natural resources such as oil, gas, and mineral wealth. Revenues from these investments make their way to governments in the form of taxes, fees and other payments. If this revenue were effectively and transparently managed, it could serve as a basis for successful growth and poverty reduction. However, the state and other institutions that manage these resources are often, in practice, unaccountable to the parliaments and citizens of their countries. Revenues from resource extraction are disclosed neither by the governments nor the companies involved. This lack of accountability facilitates embezzlement, corruption and revenue misappropriation. In extreme cases, access to resources fuels regional conflict and the resulting disorder is exploited to facilitate further large-scale misappropriation of state assets. Mining, gas, and oil companies cannot control how governments spend taxes, royalties and fees. But they do have a responsibility to disclose the payments they make so citizens can hold their governments accountable. Companies that fail to do so are complicit in the disempowerment of the people of the countries to which the resources belong. PWYP is an international transparency campaign requesting from companies involved in the extractive industries sector to disclose all the payments made to the governments of countries where they operate. Transparency Campaign We discussed why it is important at this very moment for the church to be part of the struggle for transparency, where the church should apply the pressure for change and how it could mobilize its constituency to voice their concerns. Sarah Pray presented the Extractive Industry Transparency Disclosure Act, which through PWYP US has been introduced to the Senate as an amendment to the Foreign Corrupt Practice Act. The purpose of the Bill is to require from companies registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to publish their payments to foreign governments for oil, gas and minerals, which would reduce risks for the investors, level the playing field for American companies and contribute to global efforts to fight corruption and reduce poverty and instability in oil producing countries. She explained that nearly all competitive oil, gas and mining companies are registered with the SEC, and as such, the Bill represents an important step forward in creating a truly global standard for transparency. Many Presbyterians present at the event endorsed the Bill during the event by signing it, supporting this way RELUFA's effort. JH Security Protocol
A Global Joining Hands Campaign should include the concern for the security of Joining Hands activists, particularly when they deal with sensitive issues such as the extraction of natural wealth.
Short term action
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by Chenoa Stock, JH Companionship Facilitator, Sri Lanka Gathered to discern the prospect of a global land campaign, the Joining Hands partners participating in this discussion discovered many common issues that are affecting those within our Networks and beyond. Sharing of Land Issues We brainstormed the vast spectrum of problems and the present situation in our respective countries, and the following were shared:
Land as a Global Concern We came to see that land issues are not only a nation’s individual problem, but they are also connected worldwide. These global land issues were also discussed. Some of them involve the policies and work of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Bank, the deception by these organizations, and the Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSP), which are required by the IMF and World Bank before a country can be considered for debt relief within the HIPC programme. The global trend include also the increase in Chinese businesses buying up land in Africa and Peru. As the discussion progressed, the meaning of land, beyond these tangible issues, was also mentioned. We all believe that land rights should be an inclusive concept and one that is taken up to protect the rights of all people. Land is not only for production, but is also sacred, spiritual, and sovereign. Current Campaigns
While brainstroming, we heard from each other about the many land campaigns that are already being carried out around the world. Some of these include the ICAARD (International Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development) Process of the UN, movements in Africa and Latin America, an upcoming Asian Land Conference in Sri Lanka in June, 2009, Via Campesina (a Worldwide Peasants Movement), and a Family Farmers Movement. Though these campaigns and projects may focus on different issues of land, it was seen that partnerships for campaigns or resources for ideas on how to build our own were readily available. Steps for Action Upon discovering the commonalities among each network, the next steps for action were planned. Some of these tasks, in order to build a strong JH Global Campaign, include:
Resources The following resources were considered useful for building a global campaign:
To begin a Global Joining Hands Campaign on Land, we must denounce these past ways and organize resistance by challenging the IMF and WTO and documenting its failure. We should each meet our local situation, while also connecting with and learning from each other, in order to build an awareness and education on the issues. Each network must also prioritize on which campaign it has the capacity to focus. Roles We then assigned country roles to those who were interested in involving in this campaign. Below are the countries, their networks, and their roles. South Africa/Sisonke India/Chethana: As we concluded our discussion, ideas for campaign names were shared. These included Land for Life, Reclaiming Land for life, and Land is Life. It was decided that Land is Life was the most appropriate and dynamic for our campaign work.
Communications As the sharing of information continues, we look forward to building a stronger linkage and communication among these networks. It is our hope that we can move beyond our discussion and put our words into action, in order to protect the rights of people and share with the world that Joining Hands believes that ‘Land is Life’. |
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by Andrew Kang-Bartlett, PHP Associate for National Hunger Concerns Many Joining Hands networks participated in the energized meeting on worldwide networking on the issue of water. Together we identified components of a strategy to move forward. What is our General Campaign Strategy? 1. identify common principles related to water access, quality and privatization Which groups and resources could be recommended? What are some principles for campaigning on water? What are some common values? What types of initiatives belong in a Global Campaign? Pros/Cons/Questions: What is the message (rallying point)? How we can begin to network on global water issues? What are some of our existing water connections? Existing water connections: McCloud ---- Sacramento Presbytery ---- India ---- Sri Lanka - - San Francisco Presbytery --- Cascades --- Cuba Presby Church - - UMAVIDA - - Peru - - Giddings-Lovejoy Presbytery |
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