Brussels, 18/11/2005
THE GLOBAL CALL TO ACTION AGAINST POVERTY (GCAP) www.whiteband.org
AND THE EUROPEAN TRADE UNION CONFEDERATION (ETUC) www.etuc.org
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MEDIA ADVISORY
WHEN AND WHERE}}
{{Monday 21st November 2005, 11:30am in front of the Council Building
WHAT
}}The Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP) and the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) together with trade networks are mobilising in Brussels on 21st November under the banner of “Trade Justice Not Free Trade” to call upon EU Trade Ministers to give the right to developing countries to decide their own trade policies.{{ A general gathering of more than 500 demonstrators will take place on Monday 21 November between 11:30 am and 12.30 pm in front of the European Council, 175 rue de la Loi, 1048 Brussels.
WHY}}
In the evening of the 21st November, EU Trade Ministers will meet to agree the mandate for the EU Trade Commissioner in Hong Kong. The WTO Ministerial Meeting in Hong Kong is the last chance in 2005 for the European Union and the other rich countries to demonstrate their commitment to poverty eradication and sustainable development. 15 million Europeans have taken action this year calling for trade justice as part of the Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP), through civil society organisations and the European Trade Unions. The objective of the action is to ensure that the voices of the millions of European citizens are heard loud and clear by the EU Trade Ministers and the EU Trade Commissioner.{{
WHO
John Monks}}, ETUC Secretary General will meet Peter Mandelson, on Monday morning and give a speech together with Sylvia Borren, GCAP Europe spokesperson at 11:30 in front of the European Council. They will be on board of “the European Trade Justice not Free Trade Bus.” The speakers will be available for individual interviews after their speeches and there will be {{picture opportunities at 11:30.
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GCAP and ETUC call upon the EU Trade Ministers to:
Respect poor countries' right to decide on trade policies that will help them end poverty, respect worker's rights and protect their environment.
Stop pushing developing countries to open up their economies to free trade
Allow developing countries and poor people to protect their public services
End dumping of rich country products in poor country markets
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For further information, please contact:
}}Alexandre Polack, ActionAid International (GCAP), Mobile: +32 (0) 4 73 86 18 92
Patricia Grillo, ETUC, Mobile: + 32 (0) 477 77 01 64
Louis Belanger, Oxfam International (GCAP), Mobile : +32 (0) 4 73 562 260