Latin American, Australian & Asia Pacific Solidarity Gathering

The abhorrent business practices of Multinational Corporations, and the struggles against
them, will be the central focus of this gathering. It follows that space will be created for
discussions on the implications of Free Trade agreements (Australia-Colombia and
others), the imposition of the Initiative for the Integration of Regional Infrastructure in
South America (IIRSA), the implementation of US plans for Central and North America,
and more broadly, capitalist globalisation. Our purpose in coming together is to educate
ourselves and one another in order to build new, global models of solidarity to combat
global corporate tyranny.
Corporations around the world act as a law unto their own. We see this play out in our
myriad struggles. In coming together at this conference, we hope to share our experiences
from Australia, Asia Pacific and Latin America.
We are operating from the perspective that Multinational Corporations and the above
mentioned initiatives serve only to benefit the privileged few at the expense of the
majority; to reinforce exploitation of poor people, smash unionism and undermine
workers rights, terrorise and murder union activists, displace and assimilate Indigenous
communities, and trash our natural resources and environment.
While many activists have long lists of complaints against Multinational Corporations, we
are focussing the conference on the following companies- BHP, Rio Tinto, Barrick Gold,
Coca-Cola, Fonterra, Chiquita Brand, Monsanto, Drummond, Nestle, BP, whose crimes are
well - known.
We acknowledge the proliferation of local struggles for workers rights/community power,
autonomy and self-management, for freedom from corporate domination and devastation.

However, we also must acknowledge the limitations of locally defined struggles. In order to realise their objectives, these campaigns must grow in such a way so they can defy a capital that is global in its scope and aspirations. Against this power that has no morality, we must construct a power of our own.
Therefore, the conference will commit itself to building new, practical models of solidarity that are global in scale. It is insufficient to come together and merely recognise or sympathise with one another. The schedule of the conference will be designed with this practical goal in mind: moving beyond building awareness and towards creating effective and empowering models of global resistance.

We desire your involvement both at this gathering and in assisting to organise it.
Objectives of this Gathering:
· To share experiences of struggle to inform and build solidarity.
· Achieve a clear resolution on united and internationalist action against corporate tyranny.
· To explore developing a popular/community tribunal/ watchdog to monitor and disseminate
publicly on the behaviour of Multinationals
· We acknowledge that struggles are won when oppressed peoples regain over their everyday lives. We, therefore, desire the creation of an inclusive international network focused on achieving these results.

If you want to be part of this discussion come with a model or ideas.