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Jubilee & Economic Justice Track

This track will explore the impact of the global economy, including fair trade and debt cancellation, on the human security of our brothers and sisters around the world as well as here in the US. Track participants will engage with policy experts, hear personal testimonies from the Global South and our neighbors here in the States, and learn advocacy strategies to apply in Washington and at home. We will focus on policies that promote broad-based social and economic development that advance true human security and will explore the question: How can people of faith help ensure decent livelihoods for all, promote right relationships among nations, and oppose all forms of economic injustice?
*Co-Sponsored Workshops are in Italics

SATURDAY, MARCH 8
10:45 - 12:15am: Track Time I
Plenary: Building a Just and Secure Global Economy
People of faith have been leading the way in the articulation of policies that foster trade justice instead of free trade and eliminate the onerous debts that oppress developing countries. Today, we are involved in critical struggles to realize trade justice, to defeat trade agreements that create conditions which only deepen poverty, and demand debt cancellation. Central to this struggle is the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which will likely be voted on in Congress soon. This large-group plenary will give you an inside view of these struggles through personal testimony and analysis from our Colombian activist guest. This conversation will also be in the broader context of global systems that include debt and trade, and how they are used to maintain and deepen inequality. Learn why current models aren’t working, why they need to be stopped, and concrete alternatives. Most importantly learn what you can do in your communities to stop this model and advance a new vision. This workshop will include a briefing on how to ask Congress to vote NO on the upcoming FTA.
Speakers: John Cavanagh is Director of the Institute for Policy Studies and co-author of "Field Guide to the Global Economy." He has worked with religious organizations for 25 years on just and sustainable development; Colombian partner TBD
Moderator: Jessica Walker Beaumont, American Friends Service Committee

2:45 - 4:15pm: Track Time II
Globalization 101
This workshop will focus on basic concepts of globalization, define common terms, and give an overview of trade and debt in the global economy. We will explore the impact of globalization on developing countries in the global south.
Speaker: Jim Hug, Center of Concern

Emerging Economic Issues in Iraq and Afghanistan
This workshop will focus primarily on the economic reality of Iraq and Afghanistan in the midst of conflict and offer a perspective on the US’s economic responsibility for ensuring the security of the people in these two nations. Discussion will center around Iraq’s odious debt, failing economy, and little-known free trade agreement as well as Afghanistan’s recent inclusion in the Highly Indebted Poor Countries initiative of the World Bank/IMF.
Speaker: Simone Campbell, NETWORK A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby

*Interactive* Film Screening
An interactive “train the trainer” workshop will focus on justice-oriented films as a medium for organizing. Participants will screen a documentary, learn how to host a film screening in their community and how to guide discussions that will turn into actions!
Moderator: Jessie Palatucci, United Church of Christ

Latin America Track: New Economic Approaches in South America
This interactive workshop will look at the positive changes in South American economic policy today. We will look at regional changes such as the Bank of the South, the diminished influence of the IMF, as well as country-specific examples like the growing solidarity economy in Brazil, how Argentina recovered from economic catastrophe and exciting people’s movements in Bolivia that have successfully taken on transnational corporations and point to a new form of international trade.
Speakers: Steve Judd, MM – Maryknoll priest; William LeoGrande, professor American University; Moderator: Marie Dennis, Maryknoll Global Concerns
AFRICA TRACK: VULTURE FUNDS

4:30 - 6:00pm: Track Time III
Water for All
This workshop will explore how best to ensure universal, safe, sustainable, accessible and affordable water services for people in Africa and Latin America. Issues to be explored include the role of government, private enterprise and community control specifically in Kenya, and water contamination (by extractive industries) and its reclamation in Peru.
Speakers: Deborah Katina (Kenya), coordinator of Yang'at, and Elias Szczytnicki (Peru), Director of the Latin America/Caribbean chapter of Religions for Peace.

*Interactive* Globalization Games
Do you find it difficult to explain the problems associated with globalization to groups you are involved in? Are you looking for dynamic ways to start up conversations about globalization and how to make it more humane and sustainable? Dynamic interactive games can help people understand how globalization and various aspects of the global economy work. This workshop will present a variety of games and tools that you can use to talk about globalization. Be prepared to play one of the games and discuss other materials that can be useful for groups you are involved in. This will be an interactive “train the trainer” workshop.
Presenters: David Kane, Maryknoll Global Concerns; Abiosseh Davis, Center of Concern

SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 2008

2:00 - 3:30pm: Track Time IV
Root Causes of (Im)Migration
This workshop will explore the effects of economic issues such as trade and debt on the migration of peoples. Those attending this workshop will gain an understanding of how the consequences of globalization often drive millions of people to seek a living in the United States and other rich countries. In addition, there will be examples of alternative economic strategies being pursued by local communities to protect their economies from the whims of globalization.
Moderator: Susan Thompson, Medical Mission Sisters
Speakers:Colin Raja

Domestic Track: Addressing Corporate Power
In whatever struggle for justice we are involved, from health to ecology, workers' rights to stopping wars, we run up against the overwhelming power and influence of corporations. Yet, when the U.S. was founded, very strict restrictions were placed on corporations and they had no political influence. What has happened since then to create these seemingly all-powerful corporations of today? More importantly, what can be done, and is already being done, to rein in corporate power in the U.S.? How can you participate in this fundamental struggle in your community? This workshop aims to answer these questions and more in an interesting look at corporations and society.
Presenters: David Kane, Maryknoll Global Concerns; Greg Coleridge,American Friends Service Committee

Latin America Track Bolivia and Ecuador: Small Nations, Big Ideas
AFRICA TRACK: GREEN REVOLUTION
3:45 - 5:15pm: Track Time V
Debt, Conflict and the Journey to Justice: The Cases of Liberia and the DRC
Countries in conflict or recently recovering from conflict face long journeys to justice and right relationship. Adding to the challenge is that the “resource curse” in which natural resources help to fuel conflict and injustice. Many countries in conflict or recovering from conflict often face massive economic challenges as well, such as large burdens of odious debt and massive unemployment. This workshop will consider the cases of Liberia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, looking at the nexus between conflict, natural resources, and large and unjust debt burdens. Come learn about the challenges but also to hear stories of hope including ongoing campaigning to clear the debts of Liberia and the DRC to help these nations move forward on a path towards justice and reconciliation.
Speakers: Emira Woods, Co-director of Foreign Policy in Focus, Institute for Policy Studies; Reese Warne, Catholic Relief Services (invited); Neil Watkins, National Coordinator, Jubilee USA Network.

Bringing it Home – Organizing for justice in your congregation
Inspire others to join the movement for global economic justice! Join this workshop to share experiences and explore creative ideas and strategies to engage your congregation and help it to become a prophetic and powerful force for God’s justice in the world.
Speakers: Nathan Fishman, Grassroots Outreach, Jubilee USA

Latin America Track: Trade and War in Colombia: A Case Study
This workshop will explore the links between economic interests and war in Colombia. Despite accusations of Colombian government links to the worst human rights violators in the Western Hemisphere, the U.S. government continues to fund Plan Colombia and move forward with a free trade agreement. There is a dire need for a change in current U.S. policies toward Colombia. Colombians impacted by these policies view them as two sides of the same face. The Bush administration also makes the link through using a national security argument for why the FTA should be ratified by Congress. Yet activists and organizations working on the issues typically work on either the human rights concerns or the economic justice concerns. This workshop will explore the geo-political context of US relations with Colombia, unpack ways in which the two policies are linked, and provide actions participants can take for influencing change.
Speakers: Natalia Cardona and Jessica Walker Beaumont, American Friends Service Committee; Colombia speaker TBD