CROSS-NETWORK MEETING ON EUROPE’S “GLOBAL EUROPE” STRATEGY (PDF)

BACKGROUND:
Two years ago, the European Commission launched a new framework for
trade policy, the so-called "Global Europe" strategy. It combines the
EU's internal neo-liberal reforms in the context of the Lisbon
strategy with an aggressive external agenda, which forces countries to
open up their markets, facilitate the access of European corporations
to their natural resources and dismantle social and environmental
regulations. Whether we talk about the EPAs or the EU?s negotiations
with Central America, whether we campaign against "self-regulation" of
the European corporate sector, whether we fight against the
push for more "flexible" labour markets in Europe, the liberalisation
of financial markets and tax havens or industry?s attempts to water
down climate-friendly policies in Europe - all of these issues somehow
relate to the "Global Europe" strategy.
Against that background, the Seattle to Brussels Network
(www.s2bnetwork.org) would like to organise a "cross-network meeting"
of all European campaigners whose work relates to Global Europe (even
though some might not mention the strategy in their work) and whose
policy fields are affected by it.

OBJECTIVES OF THE MEETING
The aim of the meeting is twofold:
*  Exchange of strategies and activities: How does Global Europe
relate to your policy field and your work? How do you campaign on it?
*  Think about synergies in our work: Are there issues on which we
could work together? Where are the areas of overlap between our
networks? How can we join forces? In particular, are there ideas for
joint activities in the next year in the context of the EP elections
or the new Commission?

DRAFT PROGRAMME
2.00 - 2.30   Welcome, outline of the programme & round of introductions
2.30 - 4.00   Exchange: Presentation of the (Global Europe) work of
the different networks
& discussion about how issues are linked
4.00 - 4.15   Coffee Break
4.15 - 5.30   Joining forces: Discussion about possible synergies in
our work and common activities in 2009
5.30 - 6.00   Next concrete steps, short evaluation of the meeting, good-bye

ORGANISATIONAL STUFF
The meeting will take place in the Café de Fiennes near the Midi
Station in Brussels, www.cafedefiennes.be
Please let us know if you are planning to come and if you have any
comments on the agenda via email to pia@corporateeurope.org
If you have any details about your plans relating to the EP elections
and/ or the new Commission, we'd be happy if you could send them to us
in advance. In this case, please send an email to
amelie.aitec@reseau-ipam.org

Turning a curse into a blessing: 5pm - 8pm