Contents

1. WTO and the millennium round negotiations.
2. Feasta presentation at Dublin Food Co-op.
3. January launch of Richard Douthwaite's new books.
4. The Feasta Annual
5. The Feasta Newsletter.
6. New publications to look out for.
7. Events
8. Membership

(1) WTO and the millennium round negotiations.

Later this month the governments of the world will meet in Seattle for the World Trade Organisation's Third Ministerial Conference. Earlier this year Feasta joined over 1000 progressive organisations from 75 countries that signed up to the Stop the Millennium Round statement below.

We oppose any effort to expand the powers of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) through a new comprehensive round of trade liberalisation. Instead, governments should review and rectify the deficiencies of the system and the WTO regime itself.

The Uruguay Round Agreements and the establishment of the WTO were proclaimed as a means of enhancing the creation of global wealth and prosperity and promoting the well being of all people in all member states. In reality however, in the past five years the WTO has contributed to the concentration of wealth in the hands of the rich few; increasing poverty for the majority of the world's population; and unsustainable patterns of production and consumption.

The Uruguay Round Agreements have functioned principally to prise open markets for the benefit of transnational corporations at the expense of national economies; workers, farmers and other people; and the environment. In addition, the WTO system, rules and procedures are undemocratic, untransparent and non- accountable and have operated to marginalise the majority of the world's people.

All this has taken place in the context of increasing global economic instability, the collapse of national economies, increasing inequity both between and within nations and increasing environmental and social degradation, as a result of the acceleration of the process of globalisation.

The governments which dominate the WTO and the transnational corporations which have benefited from the WTO system have refused to recognise and address these problems. Instead, they are pushing for further liberalisation through the introduction of new issues for adoption in the WTO. This will lead to the exacerbation of the crisis associated with the process of globalisation and the WTO.

We oppose any further liberalisation negotiations, especially those which will bring new areas under the WTO regime, such as investment, competition policy and government procurement. We commit ourselves to campaign to reject any such proposals. We also oppose the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement.

We call for a moratorium on any new issues or further negotiations that expand the scope and power of the WTO.

During this moratorium there should be a comprehensive and in- depth review and assessment of the existing agreements. Effective steps should then be taken to change the agreements. Such a review should address the WTO's impact on marginalised communities, development, democracy, environment, health, human rights, labour rights and the rights of women and children. The review must be conducted with civil society's full participation.

The failure of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development's Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI) demonstrates broad public opposition to the deregulation of the global economy, the increasing dominance of transnational corporations and escalating resource use and environmental degradation.

A review of the system will provide an opportunity for society to change course and develop an alternative, humane and sustainable international system of trade and investment relations.

To sign-on to this statement (organisations only please) contact: ronnieh@foe.co.uk

FEASTA is not against international trade but would like to see the emergence of international trade rules that made the movement towards global sustainability easier rather than more difficult. For us, unlike the WTO, increased trade is not a desirable objective while increased sustainability is.

A checklist needs to be developed for assessing the proposals likely to be advanced during the Millennium Round. Our suggestions for such a list are:

1. Does this proposal make it likely that less use will be made of the Earth's scarce resources for any given level of consumption? (In other words, does it make the global system of production more efficient, so that less fossil fuel and other natural resources have to be used to meet human needs than would be the case if the trading did not happen? Theoretically, international trade should permit production to take place where it is most efficient - that is, where it costs least. However, the cost of capital and labour are likely to be the main elements in the cost calculation, so that increased trade has the effect of increasing natural resource use rather than reducing it.)

2. Does this proposal make it likely that the gap between rich and poor, both within countries and between them, will narrow? (World trade has been widening the gap between rich and poor for at least the past thirty years. It has widened the gap within countries by allowing the jobs previously done by the poor (clothing manufacture, for example) to be exported to lower- wage countries, thus weakening their position in the labour market. It has widened the gap between rich countries and poorer ones by forcing the latter to compete among themselves to supply the former.)

3. Does this proposal involve compelling countries to give up powers they have at present to protect themselves - or the planet - economically, socially or environmentally? (According to economic theory, free trade does not need to be reciprocal to be beneficial. In other words, the other side does not need to be forced to lower their tariffs, or remove restrictions, just because you've removed yours. The best guarantee that trade is beneficial is that it is voluntary. No country should be forced to open itself up.)

4. Is this proposal likely to lead to a concentration of economic activity in a very few countries or corporations? (Most of the products exported from advance countries exhibit increasing returns to scale. In other words, the more you produce, the cheaper they become to make. This means that, once a country or company gets ahead, unless it does something stupid it will always have lower costs than the competition. A monopoly will tend to develop unless governments can intervene and subsidise start-ups in their own countries. It is significant that all the Asian Tigers and Japan subsidised their emerging manufacturers until they got to take-off point.)

5. Does this proposal make it more or less likely that countries will be able to develop the skills of their people and mobilise their own capital to the fullest possible extent? (If a foreign firm comes into a country, it could choke off opportunities for local people. Development is all about having more choices rather than less).

The global information centre on the WTO, trade, and sustainable development is now open. Whether you are a trade policy specialist, a reporter covering the WTO, or a citizen interested in learning more about global trade, you will find the information you want. www.wtowatch.org

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(2) Feasta presentation at Dublin Food Co-op

On Saturday the 4th December Feasta will be presenting a talk on economics, at the Dublin Food Co-op, St Andrews Resource Centre, Pearse Street. For more details contact, David O'Kelly at dokelly@iol.ie

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(3) Growth Illusion

A new edition of Richard Douthwaite's book The Growth Illusion is being published in January 2000 by a consortium of publishers in North America, Britain and Ireland. Richard says that about a third of the material in the book is new, although the basic argument - that present economic growth is damaging rather beneficial - is, of course, the same.

"What will be different," he says, "will be the public attitude to the book. Seven years ago, when it first appeared, most people thought that growth was beneficial. Now, many view it as a regrettable necessity, to be endured because it seems the only way to maintain a high level of employment. I was unable to find a current quotation from any national leader wholeheartedly supporting growth apart from Bertie Ahern."

The sections of the book on energy use, population growth, genetic engineering and the Irish experience of growth have been completely rewritten.

Feasta will be holding an event in middle of January to launch the book and copies will be available to members at a special price. The event will include a seminar on the effects of economic growth and the1st Feasta AGM. For more details on this contact feasta@anu.ie

Full details on www.feasta.org

(4) The FEASTA annual.

Next spring the Feasta Annual will be published and launched at a conference on the theme of the book. The use of indicators in deciding whether or not the world is moving towards sustainability is this year's topic.

The contents of the first Annual will include a report by Cristiano Morganti on the progress he has made towards assembling an Index of Sustainable Welfare for Ireland, an up-date of Catherine Kavanagh's Fordham Index of Social Health, and an assessment of the use of low-birthweight data in measuring changes in income distribution.

Many communities around the world are now choosing their own sustainability indicators and Gill Weyman of DIT, Bolton Street is editing a section on these so that Irish communities can follow the same route.

(5) The Feasta Newsletter

The first Feasta newsletter is now available. If you have not received one send a 30p stamp along with your address to Davie Philip at the address below.

(6) New Publications

'The Ecology of Money.'

A Schumacher Briefing by Richard Douthwaite.
Green Books Ltd. 1999
ISBN 1 870098 81 1
In this Schumacher Briefing, Richard Douthwaite argues that just as different insects and animals have had different effects on human society and the natural world, money has different effects according to its origins and purposes. Was it created to make profits for a commercial bank, or issued by a government as a form of taxation? Or was it created by its users themselves purely to facilitate their trade? And was it made in the place where it is used, or did local people have to provide goods and services to outsiders to get enough of it to trade among themselves? The Briefing shows that it will be impossible to build a just and sustainable world unless and until money creation is democratised. Richard says that it is potentially the most important thing he has written.

Copies will be available from Feasta at £6, post paid.

'The Sustainable Ireland Source Book.'

Ireland's Social, Environmental and Holistic Directory.

A low impact production by SOURCE MEDIA in association with VOICE. (Voice of Irish Concern for the Environment). Published by United Spirit Publications.
ISBN 0 9537445 0 7
Available from the 1st of December in all good book shops and newsagents or directly from SOURCE, price £5.95.

The Sustainable Ireland Source Book is a 250-page guide to green, ethical and healthy living. The Source Book highlights over 1000 exciting solution-driven initiatives, products and services available in Ireland that enhance our health, promote social justice or help us to live in a more sustainable way.

The Source Book features articles and listings in the following areas; Environment; Food and Drink; Global and Local Issues; Renewable Energy and Transport; Work and Money; Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry; Green Building and Ecological Design; Holistic Health / Mind-Body-Spirit; Community and Family; Waste; Art and Leisure; Media.

Contributers include; Darina Allen, Richard Douthwaite, Sean McDonagh, Mathew Fox, Martin Khor, Judith Hoad, John Seymour, Fr. Harry Bohan and George Monbiot.
For more information; sustainable.Ireland@anu.ie

'Natural Capitalism: Creating the Next Industrial Revolution,'

By Paul Hawken, Amory Lovins, and L. Hunter Lovins,
Earth Scan Publications Ltd. 1999.
ISBN: 1 85383 461 0

'Three world-class minds. One giant leap for sustainability.' John Elkington.

Natural capital refers to the natural resources and ecosystem services that make possible all economic activity, indeed all life. These services are of immense economic value; some are literally priceless, since they have no known substitutes. Yet current business practices typically fail to take into account the value of these assets‹which is rising with their scarcity. As a result, natural capital is being degraded and liquidated by the wasteful use of such resources as energy, materials, water, fiber, and topsoil. For more information on this book, further examples and notes that amplify the text, see www.natcap.org

'The Grip of Death: a study of modern money, debt slavery and destructive economics.'

By Michael Rowbotham, Jon Carpenter Publishing, 1998
ISBN 1 897766 40 8
A powerful, well-documented case for treating today's debt-based money supply system as "the single most important area of reform confronting us". The current financial system is responsible, both directly and indirectly, for the problem of poverty, and the problems related to environment, peace, social justice and other areas. It systematically enforces growth and centralises power. Historical chapters include Abraham Lincoln's plans for monetary reform (leading to his assassination?) and C.H. Douglas' Social Credit movement. This is a good book about a key millennial issue.
The first chapter is available on-line at, www.cfoss.com/grip.html

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(7) Events

Voluntary Service International

Voluntary Service International (VSI) are organising a festival of workshops and films from Africa, Asia and Latin America as part of its Development Education programme. The festival is taking place on Friday the 30th Saturday the 31st of January and Sunday the 1st of February at the Irish Film Centre in Temple Bar, Dublin. For more details contact VSI, 30 Mountjoy Square, Dublin 1. Tel; 01 8551011. Fax; 01 8551012. A workshop is being held on the Saturday at 2.30pm that will interest FEASTA members. It is titled, 'The Global Economy: a fair deal for the world's workers.' This workshop includes a screening of a documentary from American Television on working conditions in a Nike factory in Indonesia. Activists from both the trade union and NGO movements will facilitate it.

Schumacher Ireland.

This new initiative was launched on the 17th of September at an event in Dublin hosted by the Academy of Everything is Possible. Noirin Ni Riain opened the evening with beautiful traditional Celtic and Hindu songs, John Gormley chaired the proceedings in which Satish Kumar and Diana Schumacher addressed the diverse gathering. The Schumacher Ireland Initiative plan to hold a series of events in the coming year, for more information e-mail Tony Weekes tony.weekes@cwcom.net or Garret Campbell gcampbell@connect.ie

Development Studies Centre.

The Development Studies Centre at Kimmage Manor, is holding an environment and development evening course called 'Poverty and the Planet.'
This course is designed for environmental and community activists, development educators, teachers and anyone concerned with issues of environment and development for reasons of work, active support or personal interest. The course runs for 10 weeks from the 10th January to 13th March 2000. Sessions will be held on Monday evenings in the Development studies Centre, Kimmage Mannor: 7.15 ­ 9.30pm. Cost £60. (Concessions for students/unwaged.) For brochure/application form and further details contact: Poverty and the Planet, The Development Studies Centre, Kimmage Manor, Whitehall Road, Dublin 12. Tel: 4064386/ 4064380.
E-mail; apply@dsckim.iol.ie

Sustainable Communities for Environmental Justice

On 26 and 27 November, Derry will be the venue of a conference on 'Sustainable Communities for Environmental Justice'. Speakers will address a number of issues related to Local Agenda 21 in Ireland: The event is also being combined with the third annual Ken Saro Wiwa seminar, with speakers Patricia McKenna, Frank Kirwan, and Barbara Hayes of Oxford.
The Saturday events end with a musical and poetic tribute to the life of Saro Wiwa in Sandino's Pub, with fear an ti, Dave Duggan. Information from Lucia McCarron at the Foyle Basin Council: Tel: Derry 377970 Registration: 5 pounds

WINTERTIME TALKS IN TEMPLE BAR:

THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT BUT IS IT ORGANIC?

A series of talks on Tuesday evenings at 7pm
18 Eustace Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2

November
30th Water Fluoridation by Iva Pocock (Voice)
December
7th Resource Efficiency Improvement by Maggie Foynes (Dublin Corporation)
21st The Green Building by Pat Groves (Green Building Management)
January
11th Urban Design by Brian O'Brien (Solearth)
18th Recycling in the Inner City by Bernie Walsh (Sunflower Recycling)
25th Green Architecture by Adrian Joyce (Adrian Joyce Architects)
February
1st Biopatenting by Ruth McGrath (VOICE)
8th Worm Composting by Sadhbh O'Neill (Crampton Buildings, Temple Bar)

Please note that there are only 50 places available for each lecture
Price per evening: £2 per person
£20 Season ticket also available For further information and booking please contact Ellie O'Donnell at 01 677 2255 Or e-mail us at info@temple-bar.ie

(8) Feasta Membership

Membership of Feasta gives you the opportunity to support the foundation's work and entitles you to a discount on the Feasta review due out next month, two newsletters, quarterly e-mail bulletins, and concessions on our events and publications.

€20 for a years membership
€10 concession for students and unwaged
€30 for a voluntary group or organisation
€65 for a funded group or organisation

If you are not a member please consider becoming one. Donations are very welcome.