Global action conference an important step forward
MELBOURNE — International solidarity, workers and the environment, women in the global marketplace and First-Third World relations were just some of the issues discussed at the Global Action Conference here on July 29.
The event, which drew more than 200 participants, was described by conference participant Susan Price as "a great success". "The fact that there was such a gathering of activists at this time, and the discussions we had during the day, represent an important and exciting step forward for collaboration between the left of the environment movement and the socialist and progressive movements", she said.
The opening panel, addressed by Damian Sullivan from Friends of the Earth, Reihana Mohideen from the Socialist Party of Labour in the Philippines and Dick Nichols from the Democratic Socialist Party, kicked off a lively discussion that continued throughout the day.
Mohideen's assertion that global institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank cannot be reformed and therefore must be abolished was well received. She explained the effects of imperialism on the Philippines and how fundamental change was needed to achieve real social justice, not just in that country, but on a global scale.
Nancy Inglesias Mildenstein from the Federation of Cuban Women received a rousing response to her address on the international solidarity work that Cuba has been able to do in Third World countries, including the free training of medical staff from many impoverished countries and the provision of Cuban doctors to work in other countries. Her comment that, despite the extreme difficulties Cuba faces as a result of the four-decade long US economic blockade, not one hospital or school has been closed because the government gives first priority to meeting people's needs, struck a particular chord.
The next issue of Green Left Weekly will contain more detailed coverage of the conference, and other aspects of the Australian campaign against corporate tyranny, which is building towards protest actions at the World Economic Forum meeting in Melbourne, September 11-13.