Catherine Raveczky

So much of our labor is exported to where it is the most cheap, which allows us to be consumers of cheap/low-cost goods. Countries in which the IMF loans money often undergo structural adjustment that liberalizes the economy, but is harmful to farmers and local producers who cannot compete with cheap imports from other countries. This is how many countries come to rely heavily on imports and as a consequence, have a difficult time paying back loans. There is often no blame for irresponsible lenders but on those countries taking the money, although they would not need loans if they were not in debt in the first place. Another interesting piece of information is Chapter 11 of NAFTA. It is a clause that allows corporations to sue governments if they think a government prevented future profits. For instance, if the government banned a product due to the environmental harm it caused, the corporation that manufactures that product could then sue for future profits lost.

To end the evening we watched a 20 minute film entitled, “The Story of Stuff.” The website can be found here: http://storyofstuff.com/index.php

Some alternatives/solutions attendees came up with are spreading awareness of the issues by simple conversations or posting information, such as the “Story of Stuff” film, to networking sites like Facebook where they are likely to have a wide audience. Making different lifestyle choices was another suggestion and can be done by educating yourself on fair trade issues and only buying “fair” products.

The 2010 Salon Discussion Series invites you to join us for a presentation that explores ways to develop just trade policies and fair trade opportunities as the means to counter the effects of globalization and neoliberal economic policies.

Catherine Raveczky, one of the authors of DJPC’s Global Solutions to Violence curriculum, will facilitate the evening’s discussion and engage our participation through the popular education format.

Come Thursday, May 20th from 7:00-9:00PM to the Community Room of the Denver Inner City Parish,1212 Mariposa Street, Denver 80204.

Plenty of street parking as well as limited parking  in the lots beside the building is available.

Enter through the door off of 12th Avenue. Light fair trade refreshments will be provided.                     May Salon flier: “Working Toward Fair Trade”

Join us Thursday, March 18th from 7:00-9:00PM in the Community Room of the Denver Inner City Parish, 1212 Mariposa Street. Plenty of street parking, enter through door off of 12th street. 2010 Salon Series March Flier

Click Here to read the DJPC article on the November demonstration

Salons are held every third Thursday of the month.

In light of upcoming legislation for comprehensive Immigration Reform, here is DJPC’s official position on Immigration, written by our Advocacy & Nonviolent  Activism committee, and approved by DJPC’s Board of Directors:

DJPC’s Position on Immigration:

DJPC’s work for human rights, economic justice and lasting peace for Latin America affords a unique position from which to contribute to the current public policy debate on immigration.

DJPC concurs that a humane and just U.S. immigration policy must be adopted in the U.S., one that meets the needs of immigrants, communities and our economy.   It should respect international law and human rights–particularly the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state, provide a legal avenue for citizenship, afford the opportunity to obtain work without legal recrimination, support the lawfully authorized entry of those under duress or fleeing natural disaster, and enable family re-unification. These policy goals should be accomplished without militarization of the border, discrimination against or exploitation of immigrants whose lives have already been adversely affected by U.S. policies in their home countries.

DJPC believes, however, that this conundrum cannot reach successful resolution without first dealing with the root causes of the immigration surge and analyzing those areas in which U.S. policies act as catalysts for it. To this end, DJPC advocates foreign and trade policies that:

• Improve human rights and support civil society members at risk.

• Strengthen political and civil institutions and root out corruption and impunity.

• Create opportunities for people to remain in their home countries where they can be productive citizens and preserve family units and support systems.

• Minimize the gap between the rich and the poor, and achieve just livable wages for workers at home and abroad.

• Make education and health care more universally available.

• Defend against the trafficking of human beings, especially women and children, for the purpose of exploiting them economically or sexually.

• Reduce reliance and dependency on the U.S.

• Conduct negotiations in a transparent, inclusive and accountable manner.

• Prioritize funding for human development over military aid.

• Promote the needs of individual workers and small local businesses over those of transnational corporations.

• End exploitation of human and natural resources by the U.S. and other global powers.

• Provide strong and meaningful labor and environmental standards, and demand compliance.

• Reverse and reduce the concessioning and privatization of essential public services.

Additionally, DJPC extends this scrutiny to policies of the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the World Trade Organization, and other financial bodies supported by the U.S.

DJPC works to establish equitable public policy through:

• Education: of our members, our communities, our Congressional delegation on the ways in which U.S. foreign and trade policies impact economically-motivated immigration.

• Solidarity: partnering with local and national groups and international movements to advocate for these policies. Reaching out to immigrant communities and bearing witness to the struggle of our immigrant neighbors.

• Nonviolent Activism: calling, writing, visiting and keeping the pressure on members of our Congressional delegation to enact just foreign and trade policies. Participating in rallies, press conferences, public meetings, and nonviolent protests.

To read the entire Urgent Action and send an Appeal to Amnesty International, please click here.