Added: 05/25/2006 |
Global Exchange as One of NGO's against Corporate GlobalizationFounded by the famous activists Medea Benjamin and Kevin Danaher, Global Exchange has emerged as one of the non-governmental organizations against corporate globalization. Its goals are: to promote respect for the rights according to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; to educate public about critical global issues; to encourage the US government to support policies promoting sustainable and democratic development; and to provide basis for co-operation among people working for social, environmental and political justice.
These goals are achieved through a number of program areas, including the Political and Civil Rights Campaigns, Social and Economic Rights Campaigns, Fair Trade Program, Reality Tours and Public Education Program. The Political and Civil Rights Campaigns are generally divided into two areas: campaigns for improvement of relations between the United States and countries in conflict, and campaigns for monitoring human rights in conflict areas.
The Social and Economic Rights Campaigns of Global Exchange can be divided into three areas:
- Campaigns for promotion of environmentally sensitive alternatives and alternative green economy;
- Campaigns battling undemocratic and unjust policies of the International Monetary Fund, World Bank and World Trade Organization;
- And campaigns for encouraging US corporations to protect the environment and respect the workers' rights.
The Fair Trade Program is designed to build economic justice and reduce trade tariffs worldwide, and also educates consumers about environmental and social implications of their spending.
Offered by the Global Exchange are also realty tours which serve as human rights delegations for observing and reporting on events in areas of conflict. Participants examine social, economic and political trend in countries worldwide, including Vietnam, Mexico, South Africa and Cuba.
The Global Exchange Public Education Program offers videos, books and articles through the online store, organizes workshops and educational events and works with media in order to increase coverage of international issues. The organization also operates Fair Trade Stores with the aim to ensure benefits for consumers and producers through mutual respect and economic fairness, and to build support for more sustainable trade system.
Additionally, the Global Exchange seeks to increase activism of US consumers concerning unfair trade practices. All of the organization's Fair Trade Stores are dedicated to generating income for a number of artisans in more than 40 countries worldwide, by operating in accordance with fair trade criteria. These stores offers products from across the globe, with fair prices paid to producers and fair prices for consumers.
The organization works primarily with fair trade importers, who are members of the Fair Trade Federation and some other certification groups. In many regions of the world; Global Exchange purchase items directly from producer groups.
For more information about the producers the organization works with you can visit the Producer Page.
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