What Canadians need to know about the III Peoples’ Summit in Argentina
The Peoples’ Summits #s 1 & 2 – history at a glance
The first Peoples Summit of the Americas took place in Santiago, Chile in 1998 at the same time that the 2nd Summit of the Presidents of the Americas was taking place. The idea to build a Hemispheric Social Alliance (H.S.A.) was approved.
The II Peoples’ Summit took place in Quebec City in 2001. Common Frontiers and the Reseau Quebecois sur l’Integration Continentale (RQIC) were key organizers for the many forums and workshops that took place. A key product coming out of these public discussions was the document Alternatives for the Americas (click here to see the latest version). Over 60,000 people marched in the streets of Quebec City to voice their opposition to the Free trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) that was being promoted at the 3rd Summit of the Presidents of the Americas.
Intro to the III Peoples’ Summit of the Americas – Nov. 1-5
The III Peoples’ Summit is taking place in Mar del Plata, Argentina November 1-5, 2005. During the first three days there will be forums linked to four thematic areas, a series of self-organized workshops, and several cultural events.
On November 4th social movements throughout the Americas are called on to mobilize against the ‘free trade’ agenda that Bush intends to put on the discussion table in Mar del Plata at the 4th Summit of the Presidents (Nov.4-5). There will be major marches in Mar del Plata and in other major cities in Argentina. The Argentinean Workers Central has called for a one day work stoppage on November 4th and is planning rallies and protest events at various locations.
The Hemispheric Social Alliance (H.S.A.) organizes the Peoples’ Summits – background on the H.S.A.
All of the Peoples’ Summits of the Americas held to date have been convened by the Hemispheric Social Alliance (H.S.A.). The H.S.A. is a coalition of networks representing key organizations and social movement throughout the Americas.
The H.S.A. was formally constituted in April 1999 at a meeting held in San Jose, Costa Rica, and it has become an extraordinary experience in cross border social movement building.
Key objectives guiding the H.S.A.’s trade-related work include to:
- Strengthen civil society in the Americas;
- Work at becoming a dynamic force that can mobilize its members;
- Promote actions based on strategies in common, while at the same time respecting diversity of opinion
- Support and strengthen the work of different social sectors whether at a national or multi-national (regional) level;
- Promote respect for the basic International Labour Organization standards
- Promote respect for all rights recognized in the various international accords that have come into force
Argentina’s III Peoples’ Summit convener –
Autoconvocatoria No to the FTAA
The Autoconvocatoria (Self-convening organization) No to the FTAA is the Argentine member of the H.S.A. that is in charge of the on-the-ground organizing for the Peoples’ Summit in Mar del Plata. It has been created as an open and horizontal space for all organizations in Argentina that work to sensitize, educate and mobilize citizens, while also promoting policies that defend life, human rights and sovereignty, policies that stand in contrast to another agenda as represented by the FTAA; the payment of the Foreign Debt; militarization and impoverishment.
Registering an event to be held in Mar del Plata, Nov.1-3
All those organizations or individuals who have an interest in doing an activity in the III Peoples’ Summit need to register it on-line via the III P.S. web site (whether it be as part of one of the forums linked to the four theme areas, or workshops, conferences, campaign or network meetings, cultural activities and the like.)
The deadline for registering your event is September 15th.
To register you need to go to the III P.S. website www.cumbredelospueblos.org to fill out the registration form. Once you have completed this step, your activity should show up on the list of proposed events.
Two or more organizations may wish to organize jointly one or more activities related to a thematic area. In these cases you can fuse activities (if a similar one is already on the proposed list) or you can sequentially link events (so that one follows on after another). The registration system allows for these options.
Once the registration period is over, the Summit Organizing Committee will publish a final programme which will have dates, times and places assigned. The Organizing Committee will make every effort to match up event needs with the places available at the time.
Please note that in Mar del Plata there is every likelihood that the indoor sports complex known as the ‘Polideportivo’ with seating for 4-5 thousand people can be used for the larger Forums and educational gatherings. Also available will be the University grounds with an ample supply of ‘class rooms’ for small and medium sized workshops, roundtables etc. Should there be a cultural event that could draw a large crowd, the Municipal Stadium holding some 30,000 people could be made available by municipal authorities. All these venues in Mar del Plata are in easy walking distance of each other.
Flights from Canada to Argentina + visa requirements
Air Canada flies several times a week from Toronto to Buenos Aires. It is an overnight flight which may touch down in Santiago or Sao Paulo, but you stay on the same plane. For more info visit www.aircanada.ca.
A second option is to fly to Miami to hook up with an overnight flight to B.A. on Aerolineas Argentinas. You would have to change planes and go through U.S. customs. For more information visit www.aerolineas.com.
Canadians do not need a visa to enter Argentina for tourism purposes, and are allowed to stay for 90 days.
Getting to Mar del Plata, and info about the city
Mar del Plata is 404 kilometers from Buenos Aires. To get there you can take a 50 minute flight from B. A., or a 5 hour train or bus ride, or its 4 hours by car.
Mar del Plata is a long time beach resort which has developed its own industrial base and port facilities. It is a city with more than 560,000 full time inhabitants where architectural heritage coexists with modern buildings. It boasts a 20 kilometer promenade by the sea.
Additional information on Mar del Plata is available in Spanish at www.mardelplata.gov.ar
Adolfo Perez Esquivel on the importance of Peoples' Summits