Hemispheric Social Alliance Bulletin November 4th, 2008
1. Divisions created by the financial crisis were evident in the XVIII Iboamerican Summit
2. Social, Women's and other International Organizations are concerned about the social impacts of the financial crisis
3. The movement "Without Corn there is no Country" holds assembly on Food Sovereignty
4. Brazilian organizations will hold parallel events to the international conference titled "Biofuels as a motor of development"
5. The Indigenous mobilization in Colombia continues, while the UN expresses concern regarding state responsibility in extrajudicial executions
6. Evo Morales receives the backing of various Indigenous Peoples of the Americas during the International Encounter for Solidarity with Bolivia
The 23rd Iboamerican Summit ended on Friday October 31st in San Salvador with a call for the rich countries to accept responsibility for the world economic crisis, and asks them to promise that there won't be increased unemployment. These official conclusions were not able to hide the profound differences between these countries relative to the financial crisis. The governments of Bolivia, Ecuador, Argentina and Nicaragua demonstrated that they are in favor of an alternative economic model that puts an end to capitalism. Others such as Spain, Chile, Brazil and Mexico suggested reforms to the financial system including things like better supervision; control and participation of the so called ‘developing countries' in the institutions of "global governance", which Rodriguez Zapatero (prime minister of Spain) made reference to.
Youth, a central theme for the Summit, was addressed in the final declaration, where the Presidents of the region promised to carry forward "policies with the intention of improving the quality of life for young people, to attain more just, inclusive and integral societies". These Summits have been held since 1991, with the motive of commemorating the first voyage of Christopher Columbus. They take place in countries which have not experienced significant economic advances and where the neoliberal model has had serious negative impacts relative to Human, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights for the majority of the population.
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