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This special feature issue is a tribute to the session of the
World Economic Forum that was held in Melbourne between 11 and 13 September.
More precisely it is a tribute to the voices that critiqued the agenda of the
forum but were largely (with notable exceptions) overlooked by a mainstream
media intent on constructing sensational images of the "S11" protesters who
blockaded the conference for three days.
The S11 protests were largely non-violent (see indymedia
reports and forthcoming video footage) and were preceded by several public
meetings and conferences in which academics, activists and members of the public
aired their views about globalisation. A one day Seminar, Development Challenges
in the Global Economy, which was held at Melbourne Town Hall, featured several
noted commentators including Walden Bello, along with unionists and NGO
officers. Unfortunately it was not recorded but in time transcripts will become
available at www.acfoa.asn.au. However, in association with the Community
Advocacy Unit of RMIT's School of Social Science and Planning and the Stegley Foundation, M/C Reviews is able to publish audio
recordings of sessions from the conference Global Capitalism, Local
Responses.
The feature opens with Annette Xiberus explaining the
importance of land care from an Aboriginal Australian perspective. This is
followed by the address of the keynote speaker of the conference, Vandana Shiva,
an internationally renowned environmentalist and feminist and a prominent voice
in the growing opposition to 'market fundamentalism'. In her powerful address
she shows how the attempts of transnational corporations to control the world
food supply defy common sense in favour of a logic of enslavement which obliges
farmers to use agribusiness products. The people of the world could easily feed
themselves, but their agency is being blocked by the designs of global
capitalism which demands cash crops be produced for a world market rather local
consumption and sale.
The panel discussion comprises contributions by Associate
Professor Rob Watts of RMIT, Dr Lynette Dumble of the Global Sisterhood Network
and Associate Professor Terry Laidler, who is also an ABC journalist. Between
them they cover issues such as the role of the State in globalisation, the
feminisation of poverty and what globalisation really means. Their speeches are
followed by a lively question and answer session. Rounding off the feature, an
article by Guy Redden reflects on the rhetoric of globalism and the struggles of
neoliberal ideologues, politicians, protesters and the media to promote their
preferred definitions of the concept.
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