The Global Week of Action for Trade Justice
10 - 16 April 2005

Where did the idea come from?
In November 2003, over 100 trade activists from 50 countries took part in a historic gathering - the International Trade Campaign Conference, in Delhi, India - from which they issued the global call to a Week of Action. Following this there was discussion with international networks before the idea was presented to a seminar of 500 people at the World Social Forum in Mumbai, India, in January 2004. Thousands of key campaigners are already inspired by what the Week could achieve; and hundreds of groups, campaigns and networks all over the world are organising. 

What is the Global Week of Action?
A Week of Action from 10-16 April 2005, where as many campaigns as possible across the world active on trade and neo-liberalism come together in united action. The idea is for all of the organisations, networks and movements to take action in their own national and regional campaigns. The aim is to challenge the free trade myth and put forward alternatives by delivering the biggest global mobilisation we have seen.

Who is involved?
Anyone and everyone! The Week of Action is an opportunity for all movements and campaigns active on trade or neo-liberalism to join together in united action. It is not led or organised by any one organisation or campaign.

What are the aims of the week?

• Challenge the free trade myth. The myth, perpetuated by the rich and powerful states that free trade and privatisation is the only answer to global poverty. Governments and key decision-makers across the world have swallowed this myth. Poor countries everywhere are being forced to open their markets to foreign companies and cheap, often subsidised imports; to stop helping vulnerable producers and to privatise essential services. The results are devastating. The myth needs to be exploded once and for all. 
• Challenge and influence the agendas of the G8, IMF, WTO, World Bank and governments of North and South. Tell them that we reject their trade policies which harm the poor. 
• Propose alternatives to the current system. We need a radical change in direction if there is to be any hope of ending poverty. Poor countries must be able to choose their own economic policies, including trade policies, that work to reduce poverty. 
• Show the scale of the global movement. Demonstrate our solidarity and internationalism and to show the strength of the peoples' resistance and rejection of enforced liberalisation and privatisation. 
• Build the movement through co-ordinated campaigning. Support, strengthen and build national trade campaigns and movements. 

What are we calling for?
We are united by the 'call to action':
We call upon all social movements, mass organisations, local and national campaigns and coalitions to join together to organise a Global Week of Action from 10-16 April 2005.

Our message is

• NO to the rich and powerful imposing unjust trade agreements, indiscriminate liberalisation and privatisation and on the poor. 
• YES to everyone's right to food, a livelihood, water, health and education.

>>Wake up to Trade Justice 
>>Background to the week 
>>UK plans for the Global Week of Action 
>>Resources for the Global Week of Action 
>>Reports from local events during the Global Week of Action