Annual Report 2009

AR 09

transnational institute 'Since we all agree that the world is suffering from war, from inequities, from the inhuman treatment of perhaps more than two thirds of humanity, let us come together to examine these questions and to see what answers we can collectively produce that may perhaps deliver us, as humanity, as the human race, into a world different from the one we are living in today' Philanthropist Samuel Rubin declaring his hopes for TNI, Paris, 1972

The Transnational Institute is an and representation, socially equitable movements concerned with poverty international network of activist distribution of wealth, and environmentally and marginalisation, social injustice, researchers committed to addressing sustainable modes of production and environmental degradation, militarism global problems. This is done from the consumption. and conflict, and other global problems. perspective of the interests of the Global South, paying particular attention to power TNI’s vision is of a democratic, equitable, We provide high calibre information structures that favour the rich over the peaceful and environmentally sustainable and analysis, convene seminars and poor, the powerful over the marginalised. world. conferences, facilitate transnational exchanges and network-building, and Our values include a commitment to Our mission is to provide empowering support the public outreach and advocacy non-violence and doing no harm, universal information and advocacy support efforts of the movements we work with. human rights, democratic organisation to progressive transnational contents | Annual Report | TNI

02 tni mission statement credits For more information contact 03 contents and credits [email protected] Written by Andy Brown 04 message from the director Fiona Dove | Executive Director TNI Edited by Andy Brown, Fiona Dove 07 message from the board president Susan George | Board President Art Direction and Design by Sue Cowell | Atomo Design TNI HIGHLIGHTS 2009 08 Photography Maria Luisa Mendonça | Tom Kramer | Hans van den Bogaard | Climate Justice 10 TNI TIMELINE Now!

Acknowledgements 13 tni in the media Many thanks to Nina Brenjo and Ross Eventon

THE TNI WAY Cross-cutting themes Printed by 14 PrimaveraQuint, Amsterdam

public services Participatory democratic public services as alternative to privatisation Published by 16 The Transnational Institute De Wittestraat 25 1052 AK Amsterdam 20 alternative regionalisms Challenging divisive EU trade policies The Netherlands Tel 0031 20 6626608 Fax 0031 20 6757176 24 climate justice Moving beyond a carbon-based economy www.tni.org Printed on FSC certified paper Agrarian Justice Challenging EU policy on biofuels 28 © TNI 2010. This publication may not be reproduced or copied without the permission of TNI. 30 drugs and conflict A focus on longer-term development and peace-building

34 drug law reform The human right to harm reduction

38 Militarism & Globalisation Exposing the market in fear

40 appendix TNI Fellowship 2009

42 appendix TNI Staff

43 appendix Finances

44 appendix Thanks

47 appendix Publications

transnational Institute | 3 TNI | Annual Report | chapter header

PARTNERS | CSOs | GOVERNMENTS

PUBLIC SERVICES & WATER JUSTICE MILITARISM & ALTERNATIVE GLOBALISATION REGIONALISMS

DRUG LAW TNI CLIMATE STAFF/FELLOWS REFORM JUSTICE

DRUGS & AGRARIAN CONFLICT JUSTICE

CROSS�CUTTING THEMES EXPOSING HARMS PROPOSING ALTERNATIVES EMPOWERING MOVEMENTS FOR CHANGE BUILDING MOVEMENTS FOR CHANGE FACILITATING ADVOCACY

4 | transnational Institute message from the director | Annual Report | TNI MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR

The year TNI turned 35 began hopefully with the inauguration of President Obama. The United Nations General Assembly was asserting leadership of the financial crisis. Expectations were high that the coupling of the economic and climate crises might see the world finally choosing the path to sustainability.E nergised, social movements converged to support changes in a better direction

The G20, however, successfully power in the world is shifting too, at EU level. The urban poor of fiona dove usurped the role of the UN opening both new threats and the developing world are facing Executive Director tni and little changed. The non- new opportunities for another an acute shortage of access to binding Copenhagen Accord, system of governance. Now is the drinking water – a fundamental controversially drafted by the time to be proposing alternatives right for human beings. This is US and BASIC countries, was and demonstrating in practice caused by ailing public utilities the only tangible outcome of how they could work. and rapacious attempts the Climate Summit. Amidst by big – usually European the crisis, economic growth This 2009 Annual Report – corporations to buy them up trumped sustainability. A ‘Green presents TNI’s efforts in the past in the hope of turning a quick New Deal’ was sidelined as year to continue to expose where profit. TNI has argued strongly, unaffordable, while government the problems lie, and to shift and demonstrated in practice, after government in the North policy in a more socially just and that the solution does not lie ploughed public money by the sustainable direction. with privatisation but rather in Fiona Dove has been TNI Executive billions into bailing out banks so reforming public utilities. This has Director since 1995. She holds degrees in Industrial Sociology (University of that ‘business as usual’ could be We are particularly proud worked very well where public KwaZulu Natal) and Development Studies resumed as quickly as possible. of the achievements of our utility managers, engineers and (Institute for Social Studies, The Hague). water work (see p 16-19). In the unionised workers work closely Raised in South Africa, Fiona was active in the anti-apartheid movement from the The crises are not going away course of just six years, we can with users and community late '70s and worked for the Congress of though. Furthermore, they confidently claim a significant organisations. What has also South African Trade Unions for almost a have exposed the current contribution to the changes we helped enormously are ‘public- decade from the mid-80s dominant economic model as are now seeing at UN level, and public partnerships’ (PuPs) or unsustainable. The balance of albeit a little more modestly, non-profit twinning programmes

transnational Institute | 5 TNI | Annual Report | message from the director

between successful and under- now seeing a wave of reforms A few, in particular, deserve The crises are performing utilities. In what we being implemented across special mention. Firstly, the not going away. see as a major victory, both the Latin America, which are also Samuel Rubin Foundation Furthermore, they UN and EU are now offering inspiring countries in South which has unfailing supported funding for PuPs. Furthermore, East Asia. TNI is being called us for 35 years. Secondly, the have exposed the the network that TNI has helped upon to advise governments Dutch Ministry of Development current dominant build around this issue in over 60 wanting to introduce drug law Cooperation and the Open Society countries was invited to advise reform. We anticipate that it Institute which have supported economic model both bodies in 2009. is only a matter of time before our programme continuously over as unsustainable. the contradictions force the past five years. And finally, The balance of We are also seeing some results international treaty reform. special thanks are due to Oxfam- for our Alternative Regionalisms Novib for stepping up to support power in the world programme, which advocates a At a more general level, TNI is us when our contract with the is shifting too, sustainable and people-centred being taken ever more seriously Ministry ended and we feared a opening both new regional integration as the best by the mainstream media. funding gap. defence against globalisation in Alongside visible and articulate threats and new Southern regions. Latin America social movements, we see the TNI is now actively seeking new opportunities for offers the most opportunity to media as the other crucial means donors for the coming years. We experiment with an alternative for shaping public opinion. In are also encouraging appreciative another system regionalism. A first joint meeting 2009, we put particular emphasis individuals to donate through a of governance. between governments and on media outreach -- with shiny new button on our website! Now is the time social movements was held in gratifying results. We employed Paraguay during the Mercosur two professionals – one in TNI is one of the oldest institutes to be proposing Summit in 2009 to discuss just Amsterdam and one in Mexico of its type still existing in the alternatives and this (see p23). TNI facilitated the – who successfully generated world. We have proved our worth demonstrating in attendance of both parliamentary 250 articles citing TNI. This in the 35 years of our existence, and civil society observers from included reaching some of the and hope to continue to serve practice how they Southern Africa and South most influential wire services and in the global public interest for could work East Asia who are interested to newspapers globally (see p13). at least another thirty five. With stimulate a similar dynamic in your help, we can. their own regions. I would like to thank our dedicated interns, staff and Yours, Our long-standing efforts to fellows, our diligent researchers, shift drug policy are making very editors and translators for good progress indeed. We now their very hard work this year have more than 40 governments – typically way beyond the engaged in our informal drug call of duty. I would also like Fiona Dove policy forums. During the 10 to thank the vast network of Director year review of UN drug policy organisations and individuals in 2009, it was clear that there who collaborated with us this is now a majority in favour of a year in moving a few steps closer harm reduction policy. This is to a better world. The trust and directly attributable to TNI’s confidence they have in TNI, and efforts. Decision-making at this the appreciation they always level is based on consensus, show for our efforts make the however, and a few spoiler long hours we put in worth every countries could therefore block minute. And finally, I would like to official adoption of the principle thank our donors without whom (see p34). Nevertheless, we are we could not exist.

6 | transnational Institute message from board president | Annual Report | TNI message from the board president

Readers of this Annual Report foolhardiness at a time long before climate, these would founder upon our economy, society and cannot expect me to be objective the internet made the complexity as soon as the outside funding planet. At TNI, we think now is the or neutral about TNI: the Institute of communications infinitely easier. stopped. As I wrote in 1997 (thus time to forge ahead with hard- has been my intellectual home for We took the difficulties in stride well before the Bush low point): hitting analyses and proposals nearly four decades and I owe it more because we were sure twenty Today few would deny that we live for solutions. We believe we than I can express. The dedication different vantage points would under the virtually undisputed rule understand not only what’s needed of my most recent book describes result in deeper, more relevant of the market-dominated, ultra- to make a clean, green, rich, just my debt this way: “To all my friends scholarship and come closer to the competitive, globalised society with and democratic world but also and comrades of Attac and the truth than any single national or its cortege of manifold iniquities how to get there. Transnational Institute who for these cultural view could possibly provide. and everyday violence. Have we got many years have obliged me to think”. the hegemony we deserve? I think Our gratitude goes to all those Ideas have always been our we have....The ‘war of ideas’ has who have supported us through Still I hope to be objective in common coin, but the importance of been tragically neglected by the the difficult neoliberal times, with recognising that TNI has been ideas was not necessarily apparent side of the angels. Many public and money of course but also with their collectively and consistently to everyone else, including funders. private institutions that genuinely ideas, solidarity and trust. Thanks right. Perhaps being politically The most savage of the right wing believe they are working for a to all of you, we have become a well- progressive is sufficient to stay neoliberals understood this point more equitable world have in fact nigh indestructible transnational ahead of the game and simply wait perfectly. By the time TNI was actively contributed to the triumph community of committed, for confirmation of the trends one founded, their foundations were of neo-liberalism or have passively progressive scholars and activists has already identified. In TNI’s already spending good money on allowed this triumph to occur... The who welcome the future and intend case, however, I’m convinced it the production and dissemination now-dominant economic doctrine to help shape it. comes down to more than simply of ideas eventually showering their did not descend from heaven. It has, being progressive. Thanks to scholars, think tanks, publications, rather, been carefully nurtured over the international composition communications departments et decades, through thought, action SUSAN GEORGE of the Staff and the Fellowship, alia with over a billion dollars in the and propaganda, bought and paid Board President the exceptional breadth of our United States alone. for by a closely knit fraternity... * interests and the significance of the topics we cover, we’ve developed Faced with such powerful The multiple, interlinked and a common Weltanschaaung, a opposition the counterthrust converging crises we now worldview that has allowed us of smaller, weaker institutions face are the result. Ideas have to move forward with relevant like TNI was hampered. We consequences: finance and the research, analyses and proposals struggled ahead on limited funds, casino economy can run wild, well before others caught on to the using poorly paid, part time or poverty, hunger and inequality exist real pattern of events, much less the volunteer researchers and writers on an appalling scale in both North meaning behind them. and suffering from distribution and South, the human environment restricted by considerations not of is threatened with collapse. Dr Susan George is author of fourteen Being right before others are has quality but of capacity. Progressive widely translated books on North-South not been an unalloyed blessing. funders generously supported It is now blindingly obvious to issues, including most recently Their Crises: Our Solutions (Albin Michel, Being transnational in scope and “projects” but did not understand anyone who cares to look that the France; Icaria/Intermon, Spain; Polity, content was daring to the point of that in the wrong ideological neoliberal system wreaks havoc UK forthcoming 2010)

* Susan George, "How to Win the War of Ideas: Lessons from the Gramscian Right", Dissent, Summer 1997 transnational Institute | 7 TNI | Annual Report | 2009 highlights

Co-operation towards an alternative regional integration Latin American social movements and the Paraguayan Presidency of Mercosur co-convened the first official exchange on visions for an alternative model of regional integration in July. TNI and its PAAR partners took the initiative following discussions at the World Social Forum in Belem, Brazil, earlier in the 2009 year. See page 23 highlights

Return to public service proves viable In Venezuela, the renationalised telecommunications concern CANTV is showing that a publicly owned company can turn a profit and provide an efficient service. TNI co- Boost operated in an evaluation of the company, including for public water innovative dimensions such as worker and community solutions participation, job creation and coverage. See page 18 Both the UN and the EU are moving away from privatisation as a panacea for In the UK, the public sector union Unison helped a urban water supply problems. The Global Water Operators Partnerships Alliance municipal IT and related services department to (GWOPA), hosted by UN-Habitat, and the ward off privatisation and provide a better public new ACP-EU Water Facility focus on public service. TNI helped document the case in solutions to the crisis. TNI and its partners ‘Public service reform … but not as we are working hard to make sure they know it!’ See page 19 retain their not-for-profit focus. See page 18

Carbon trading EC complicity exposed as false climate in corporate solution impunity exposed With all eyes on the UN Climate In November, TNI co-organised a Conference in Copenhagen in December, hearing at the European Parliament to carbon trading was high on the global political draw attention to the recommendations agenda. TNI’s evidence-based critique over of the Permanent People’s Tribunal on the past seven years proved an invaluable resource in challenging carbon trading as a Transnational Corporations (TNCs) in false climate solution. TNI played a key Lima in 2008. 250 people discussed role during the Summit in providing EC complicity in protecting the daily resources to movements. impunity of TNCs. See page 25 See page 23

8 | transnational Institute 2009 highlights | Annual Report | TNI

Assumptions of EU biofuel policy proved wrong EU security TNI’s comparative study of agrofuels research programme in Brazil, Mozambique and Germany exposed refutes the assumptions underlying the EU In 2009, TNI and Statewatch published policy on biofuels. The study shows that, NeoConOpticon, a detailed exposé of how rather than having a beneficial impact on EU research funding is being used to subsidise the environment, energy security and the roll-out of Big Brother-type technologies and rural development, increased agrofuel militarist systems by some of Europe’s biggest arms Burma peace production only feeds industrial expansion. See page 28 companies. Ostensibly geared towards securing Europe process needs from the threat of illegal immigration and terrorism, cease-fire groups the programmes have profound implications for civil In Burma, fighting brought an abrupt liberties and yet there has been no public debate. end to two decades of a truce between The report caused a sensation in the media and the government and the Myanmar National sparked a major (if muted) debate within the Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) in Kokang EU security research community. region, raising doubts about cease-fires agreed See page 38 with other armed groups. A TNI field mission concluded that the only way to achieve lasting peace and democracy in the country is to Farmers involve all ethnic opposition groups get a voice on in discussions about political drugs policy change in the country. In January, TNI co-organised See page 32 the first worldwide farmers’ summit Majority on drug-linked crops in Barcelona. 65 support for representatives of farmers’ organisations and harm reduction experts working closely with communities from At the 52nd session of the UN areas with coca, opium and cannabis cultivation Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna, participated. Two farmer representatives during the UNGASS review of UN drugs policy, subsequently attended the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) review the concept of harm reduction was supported meeting in Vienna to present their by the majority of member states. As decision- recommendations. making is based on consensus, however, a powerful See page 37 minority was able to prevent official endorsement. Harm reduction policies aim to reduce the medical, social and economic harms associated with drug production and consumption. TNI was praised No Bases by UN officials for the impact it had on the campaign UNGASS review process. shows results See page 34 The International Network for the EU trade and Abolition of Foreign Military Bases, for which investment policy TNI served as the secretariat in 2009, logged challenged a number of successes. In Japan, the Philippines, Six public debates between Ecuador and elsewhere, governments bowed to global civil society and high level EC popular pressure to abandon plans for new bases representatives on the impact of EU or close existing ones. The issue was high on the trade and investment policies in the South were organised by TNI in Brussels. Against agenda of the UNASUR summit in Latin America, the backdrop of the global crisis, the and is now on the agenda of the 2010 NPT Debating Europe Series highlighted (Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons the contradictions for development Treaty) Review conference. efforts posed by the EU’s Global See page 39 Europe trade strategy. See page 22

transnational Institute | 9 TNI | Annual Report | TIMELINE

Oaxtepec, TNI sets up its TNI organises portuguese Mexico - Feminist project, 1982 a major ‘European revolution, TNI’s Latin which integrates gender Parliamentary Conference on decolonisation America into much of TNI’s work. South African Destabilisation group in The project brings together Efforts’ for parliamentarians Washington women leaders from the in The Hague, where co-organises North and South around a First government a colloquium wide range of issues such Samuel ministers from on ‘The Future of US-Latin as nuclear power, women in Rubin Seminar: Zimbabwe, American Relations’ in the military, and in the textile ‘The Reagan cooperation with the Center industry. Caroline Heikens Presidency and the for Economic Development starts the organisation of Third World’ with Peter in Mexico (CIDE). Coordinator six seminars on Feminism Weiss, Marcus Raskin, Richard of IPS/TNI’s Latin America & Socialism Barnet, Saul Landau, Eqbal programme is Roberta Salper Ahmad, Basker Vashee, Joyce and Gabriel 1976 Orlando Letelier, Chile’s Kolko and Isabel International Conference on Defence/Foreign Minister zimbabwe Letelier, held at the ‘Institutional Alternatives in during Allende government independence Populier Health Care’ 1975 and Ambassador to the US, is appointed director of TNI and Conference TNI convenes its first begins a major programme organised by TNI conference in response to the to promote the New fellow Mary Kaldor and coup in Chile, establishing International TNI associate Dan Smith itself as a serious soweto Economic Order. with the Appeal for European presence among radicals uprising, He publishes Nuclear Disarmament (END), in Europe and helping south one of the first where researchers examine to shape the political africa critiques of proposals for disarmament, response to the coup. neoliberalism non-alignment and new forms 50 participants, including in exposing the of defence Jacques Chonchol, former experiments of the Minister of Agriculture under Chicago Boys in Pinochet’s Samuel Rubin Seminar: ‘Middle TNI Allende, David Baytelman, Chile. Letelier persuades the East: Israel and Palestine’ former head of the Allende Dutch government not to with Edward Said and a timeline government’s land reform invest US$63 million in the representative of the Israeli programme, Claude Bourdet, Chilean mining industry New Outlook Ralph Miliband, André Gunder 1981 Frank, Herbert Marcuse and Letelier asks Basker Vashee Johan Galtung to take the position as With the Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation, TNI co-sponsors 1974 TNI’s resident director in Amsterdam. Vashee is a ZAPU the South-North Conference Since it was ‘The International Monetary Eqbal Ahmed, Pakistani exile from Zimbabwe and System and the New journalist, professor London School of Economics first conceived International Order’ in Tanzania. and veteran of trained economist The Institute contributes to by a group of the Algerian the Arusha Initiative for a new Pinochet liberation and ‘How the Other Half Dies’ by international financial order, progressive coup in anti-Vietnam Susan George published which becomes the basis for War struggles, intellectuals chile the policy position taken by the appointed TNI’s Letelier and Ronni Karpen Group of 77 in the early 1970s, first director. US 1980 philanthropists Ed Moffitt, a young assistant at TNI has been a and Ann Jans buy Paulus IPS, are assassinated by a car Publication of TNI Special Potterstraat 20, bomb in Washington DC by the Report ‘US Arms Deliveries consistent voice Amsterdam and Chilean secret service, with to South Africa: The Italian in a changing Official offer TNI free CIA complicity Connection’ by Michael Klare end of use of the vietnam premises 1977 world TNI/CIS report on the Soweto TNI shelters CIA whistleblower war uprising ‘Black South Africa Philip Agee Explodes’ is released during a 1972 1973 public event and a related TNI Susan George and oil activity is organised at the UN. ‘The Southern Connection: Maria Jolas organise a crisis The report is the only detailed Recommendations for a New meeting at La Closerie des International Conference account of events in South Approach to Inter-American Lilas restaurant in Paris to explore on ‘Institutional Africa since the uprising. The Relations’ by the Ad Hoc possibilities for a TNI in Europe. Samuel Rubin, Alternatives in Observer reviews the arms Working Group on Latin Peter Weiss, Richard Barnet and Marcus Raskin (InstituteHealth forCare’. trade mentioned in the report America, coordinated by Policy Studies, Washington DC) come to present their ideas. on its front page. The timing Roberta Salper, from IPS. Invitees include Jean Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, of the release in Europe Report published in the Michel Foucault, André Görz, Roland Barthes, Claude coincides with the trade name of TNI in first Bourdet, Michel Rocard, and Claude Julien. A union boycott of issue of CIDE- similar consultative meeting is held in ‘Café South Africa magazine de Paris’, Regent Street in London

10 | transnational Institute TIMELINE | Annual Report | TNI

Mozambique Conference ‘Central American Two TNI 9/11 and the and Angola deliver Peasant Organisations: Strategies towards Fellows speak at the briefings on the South Europe’, resulting from a research project on the invasion of Transactions 2001 Sympo- African government’s perspectives of the agricultural sector in Central America Afghanistan sium of the Royal Society economic and military in relation to Europe and its agricultural policies. A delegation of of Canada in Ottawa, shortly destabilisation of ten representatives from Central National Farmers Organisations after WTO Ministerial Meet- their nations. They (ASOCODE) make a four-week tour, April-May, through ing in Doha. Walden Bello gives receive pledges Europe to meet farmers, NGOs, an assessment of WTO from the point of politicians, press, etc view of developing countries, while Susan of support ‘Beyond Conference George concludes ‘Rules Yes, These Bretton ‘Central American end of Rules No’ for the WTO Workshop Woods’ Peasant Organisations: on the economic crisis apartheid Strategies towards Europe’, published in Sub-Saharan Africa and 1994 National resulting from a research African visions for the future of Convention project on the perspectives 1995 the continent, in Amsterdam, Publication of for Nuclear Disarmament of the agricultural sector in with participation of 30 African the joint TNI / Middle and Peace in New Delhi, India. Central America in relation intellectuals. The workshop re- East Research and Information Initiated by TNI fellows to Europe and its agricultural sulted in the launch of a project Project (MERIP) book ‘Palestine Praful Bidwai and Achin Vanaik, policies. A delegation of ten to research what has worked in in Crisis: The Struggle for Peace and organised by a broad representatives from Central Africa and why with regards to and Political Independence coalition of organisations led National Farmers Organisations development projects after Oslo’ by Graham Usher by the Movement in India for (ASOCODE) make a four- 1993 Nuclear Disarmament week tour, April-May, through Europe to meet farmers, NGOs, Susan George’s ‘The Debt TNI is the first to politicians, press, etc Boomerang’, which chronicles World produce critical TNI Drugs and Democracy the impact of the debt crisis on trade booklets on the programme co-hosts the the US and Europe, published organisation newly created conference ‘Colombia and 1983 World Trade Samuel Rubin Seminar on 1992 created Europe respond jointly to Democracy and Revolution: Organisation Plan Colombia’, organised by a ‘Democracy: The Soviet Following the fall of the Wall, coalition of 70 Colombian and Model’ with Fred Halliday and TNI hosts a historic encounter ‘The Next Threat: 50 European NGOs parallel to Jonathan Steele (the Guardian) between democracy activists Western Perceptions of Islam’ the official donor conference edited by TNI fellow Jochen for Plan Colombia in Madrid in Eastern Europe with 2000 Future South African President Western activists from the Hippler and Andrea Lueg is Thabo Mbeki visits TNI to peace, feminist, environmental published, pre-empting the rise TNI co-organises an East Timor discuss TNI’s work on the and labour movements of Islamaphobia following 9/11 country Solidarity Demonstration at 1996 Museum Square in Amsterdam Lecture by Uruguayan writer Asia Europe People’s Forum with 100 participants, Meeting with Hossein Eduardo Galeano in De Balie as (AEPF) I Bangkok, Thailand. followed by a well- Bagherzadeh of the Iranian part of the ‘Collective Memory’ 400 participants. The attended press National Council of Resistance series conference was co-organised conference (representative from Paris), 1990 with Focus on the Global battle of Fred Halliday and Gianni South and a report was seattle Noordijk of Amnesty ‘The Fall of the Wall’ published Publication of International and ‘New Left ‘Dark Victory. Answer to the The United fall of 1984 New Right’ by International seminar on States, Structural Samuel Rubin Seminar the berlin ‘Resistances to Neo-Liberalism’ ‘Another window on the Hilary Wainwright Adjustment and Global wall published held at TNI in Amsterdam. Poverty’ (updated 2nd edition) world’ in Amsterdam. 40 participants Lectures by Buchi by TNI fellow Walden Bello, with Emecheta, Salman Rushdie, BBC documentary Shea Cunningham and Bill Rau TNI begins a project on drugs James Baldwin and others. broadcast, based on and conflict, examining First lecture is by Polish Susan George’s book ‘A Fate the way the ‘war on drugs’ TNI Forum ‘Globalisation, writer, Andrzej Szczypiorski, Worse than Debt’ 1989 in Latin America hinders Social Movements & the New introduced by John Berger demilitarisation and Internationalism’, in TNI building, Amsterdam. Speaker Peter 1985 New Detente Conference, with democratisation ‘Philippine Crisis: The Mary Kaldor, Richard Falk and Waterman, recently retired European Response’, Gerard Holden at TNI Amster- 1997 professor at the Institute for TNI Asia Seminar: Asia Europe conference on the social, dam. The New Detente was Social Studies, The Hague Relations in the Light of the political and economic crisis a kind of new conversation, a 1999 Southeast Asian Financial in the Philippines. Participants real opening up of a dialogue Crisis TNI Amsterdam were European politicians between East and West With TNI’s assistance Latin and parliamentarians. American farmers, for Contributions by Bishop The the first time, attend Labayan and later highly the UN Special TNI warns of US ambitions Assembly on TNI Fellow Joel ‘The Mon- to launch another war influential ‘A Fate Drugs in New Rocamora ey Mandarins’ against ‘Privatising Worse Than York by fellow Howard Iraq Nature’ by Michael Debt’ by Susan Wachtel published. Goldman is published. George published asian The work is widely acknowl- The book first pointed financial edged as being the seminal to the trend towards the crisis work on global finance privatisation of water, genes, 1986 and the atmosphere 1988

1998 transnational Institute | 11 TNI | Annual Report | TIMELINE

TNI Public Forum A group of prominent on ‘Missile Defence and Asian intellectuals, parliamentarians, 2008 TNI co-convenes three ‘Beijing Security after September civil society leaders and activists, including TNI Nights’ during the Asia-Europe 11’, Felix Meritus, Amsterdam. Invasion Fellow Walden Bello, go to Baghdad as a part of People’s forum to discuss the Organised in cooperation with of Iraq Asian Peace Mission in a desperate last-ditch crisis. The influential ‘Beijing the Project on European Nuclear effort to avert the war. Their report of Declaration’ is created Non-Proliferation (PENN-NL), XminY, meetings with students and other TNI Attac-Nederland and the Campaign citizens gets under the surface of co-organises against the Arms Trade the mainstream media reports and international con- Phyliss Bennis launches Under reveals a vulnerable but enduring people ference in Amsterdam standing the US-Iran Crisis Phyllis on the edge of war on ‘Drugs and Conflict in Bennis presents Burma: Dilemma’s for Policy TNI launches its public debate her new book ‘Before & After: TNI Forum on ‘The Legality Responses’ with Burma Centre series in Brussels US Foreign Policy and the of the War against Iraq: Netherlands, Amsterdam. In September 11th Crisis’ in the Implications for the UN System’ preparation for the seminar a ABC Treehouse, Amsterdam organised by TNI and De Balie new issue in TNI Briefing Series ‘We the Peoples of Europe’ by in Amsterdam. Speakers: Jan is published. A report of the Susan George published Pronk and Peter Weiss Second People’s Summit of the conference ‘Harm reduction for poppy farmers in Myanmar?’ ap- 2007 Americas organised under the Fellows meeting on the 2002 pears in the Asian Harm Reduc- banner of the Hemispheric Soc Seminar on ‘European Union ‘Power of Money’ – tion Network Newsletter ial Alliance in Quebec, Canada. and Corporate Globalisation. Start of discussed the need The Alternative Regionalisms Where are its Trade Policies for regulatory Public debate ‘Struggles global web section is launched to and Trade Agreements Leading mechanisms in the against Water Privatisation financial coincide with the Summit to?’ organised by TNI with financial markets RMALC, CIFCA, CNCD, Mani in the South’ in amsterdam, crisis orgainsed by TNI and CEO Workshop ‘Regionalisms Tese, ATTAC (France) in cooperation with AIDC, SAPSN, from Below’. Dot Keet, Walden TNI starts work to combat 2006 and Focus on the Global South. Militarism and Globalisation Bello and Manuel Peréz from carbon-trading the Alternative Regionalisms TNI Fellows Dot Keet and project publishes the briefing project speak, World Social Brid Brennan participate. ESF, Discussion evening on the ‘Arming Big Brother: the EU’s Forum 1, Porto Alegre, Brazil Florence, Italy Movements for Peace and security research programme’ 2001 Global Justice and on the Seminar on ‘Politics as Common Nature of the Status Quo They TNI co-organises 2nd International Peace Mission to Good. The Movement against Confront Today, with Phyl- Enlazando Alternativas social Basilan Philippines; publication Neoliberalism Talks to the lis Bennis, Mariano Aguirre, summit in Vienna, Austria of mission report ‘Basilan: The European Left’ organised by Hilary Wainwright, Carolina Next Afghanistan?’ TNI with Associazione Culturale Rudas, and Olivier Hoedeman ‘Challenging Empire’ and Punto Rosso-Forum Mondiale at the American Book Centre ‘Understanding the Palestinian- della Alternative, Transform! Treehouse, Amsterdam Meeting on Nuclear Disarma- 2003 Israeli Conflict: A Primer’ by ment and NATO Disunity, TNI, in collaboration with Rivista Phyliss Bennis published Amsterdam. Organised in Alternative, Attac Italia. TNI ‘Another world is possible if...’ cooperation with International Fellows Boris Kagarlitsky, Hilary published by Susan George 2005 Physicians for the Prevention Wainwright and Susan George ‘Trouble in the triangle: Opium of Nuclear War (IPPNW). Guest participate. ESF, Florence, Italy At the World Social Forum in and conflict in Burma’ published speaker retired British Royal Mumbai, TNI helps catalyse Navy Commander Rob Green, of Workshops on ‘Weaponisation an international network Reclaiming Public Water book the New Agenda Group of Space and Missile Defence’, of 130 members in 38 published at the WSF ‘Korean Peace and Recon- countries dedicated to ending Workshop on ‘Social Move- ciliation and the Axis of Evil’, privatisation and seeking 2004 ments, Emerging Resistances ‘Criminalisation of Movements public alternatives for water European Social Forum – and Counter-strategies in - Aftermath 9.11’and ‘Nuclear delivery. The project has since Fellows Susan George, Walden the Regions of the South and proliferation after September documented successful Bello, Myriam Vander Stichele, North’ and seminar on ‘Political 11’ organised by TNI for AEPF4, democratic examples of public Jochen Hippler, Praful Bidwai, Visions for the 21st Century’ at Copenhagen, Denmark water management worldwide, Dot Keet, Brid Brennan, and the World Social Forum, Porto drawing more and more cities Hilary Wainwright attend. TNI (co)organises several Alegre, Brazil TNI hosts a public meeting into the project in the process. A seminarson issues including on the Israeli-Palestinian policy shift towards alternatives to privatisation is now clearly public service privatisations, Public Forum Signals from war, regional impacts and under way, and the network has EU trade liberalisation Southeast Asia: Human Rights the respective policies and been key in creating the space agendas with Latin America under Attack after September roles of the US and Europe, for Public-Public Partnerships. and Africa, carbon trading, 11. Organised by TNI and XminY, all within the context of the This network is now the civil new politics, democratic in co-operation with Amnesty September 11 aftermath in De society representative challenges in East and West International. Felix Balie, Amsterdam International Conference in the UN’s Global Water Europe, and the new US Meritus, Amsterdam on ‘Institutional Operators Partnerships TNI imperial project The IPS-TNI SEEN Alternatives in Alliance co-organise Project releases an exhaustive Health Care’. (GWOPA) an Encuentro study of public financing of Enron’s overseas Social on the occasion of expansion. ‘Enron’s Pawns: How Public Institutions the Third Summit of heads of state Bankrolled Enron’s Globalization Game’ explores how the and governments from the EU and Latin now-fallen giant’s rise to global prominence absolutely America, aiming at strengthening cooperation depended upon close financial relationships with between social movements and civil society US agencies, the World Bank, and other organisations in the two regions government institutions

12 | transnational Institute media | Annual Report | TNI tni in the media This year was the most successful year so far for TNI appearances and citations in the media. TNI’s media coverage spanned all continents and included some of the most influential outlets across the globe

TNI blogs NeoConOpticon media Blogs from Afghanistan The publication in in September were carried September was hailed by the by Reuters AlertNet, Reuters National Union of Journalists in Brussels as humanitarian news service highlights ‘the most significant independent assessment www.alertnet.org/db/bloggers/61640. of Europe’s emerging “security research” sector Al Jazeera and the Dutch World to date’. The report was a source for a story on Service also cited TNI and its prime time Dutch TV news, in the prestigious NRC fellows in broadcasts on the Handelsblad, and series of articles for NRC Next. The situation in Afghanistan climate chronicle Observer, the Guardian and the Telegraph in the UK Around the Copenhagen climate summit in all ran stories. 125,789 copies of the report were December international media widely cited TNI. downloaded from the TNI and Statewatch TNI experts’ opinion pieces and comments appeared sites. Google offers 32,500 results for in the media in the Philippines, India, US, Austria, France, “neoconopticon” SMALL TIME Denmark, Finland, Italy, UK, Canada and China, as well as DRUG-USERS in UN publications. The TNI team in Copenhagen published When Mexico and Argentina the daily Climate Chronicle www.tni.org/briefing/climate- eliminated prison sentences for chronicle which reported and decoded what was going on small-time drug users in August, major inside and outside the negotiations. Meanwhile, the TNI media outlets turned to TNI and its partners team in Amsterdam produced a resource guide www.tni. for comment, resulting in 70 articles. These org/article/climate-talks-copenhagen-resource-guide included the Christian Science Monitor, for the media featuring analysis, blogs, factsheets BBC Mundo, Associated Press, Mexico’s and other useful material. The guide was sent largest newspaper El Universal, US to hundreds of journalists covering the news channel MSNBC, Argentina’s climate conference La Capital

transnational Institute | 13 TNI | Annual Report | cross-cutting themes the tni way Expose, propose, practice 'The job of the responsible social scientist is first to uncover the forces of wealth, power and control, then to write about them clearly, without jargon... and finally...to take an advocacy position in favour of the disadvantaged, the underdogs, the victims of injustice' SUSAN GEORGE

1 Exposing harms TNI is guided by a commitment to equity, democracy, TNI painstakingly collects the human rights, justice, sustainability and the principle necessary evidence to expose, for example, the harms of of ‘do no harm’. The Institute has a long, proud history of current drugs policy or the making complex issues understandable. It actively seeks practice of perverse carbon trading schemes. Fellows like to bridge activism and academia through the concept of Susan George and Walden ‘public scholarship’. It focuses on issues of direct social Bello, among many others, have worked hard to expose the relevance and seeks to put research and analysis at the social and environmental cost of the thirty year experiment service of movements for change. with neo-liberal policies. TNI’s programmes seek to expose the failures of many current policies and strategies, propose viable Others, like Praful Bidwai and alternatives, and support efforts to put them into practice. This is done by working closely with transnational Achin Vanaik, have dedicated networks to build a critical mass in favour of alternatives. TNI provides well researched information that can themselves to exposing the help shape agendas, inform advocacy and popularise alternatives in practice. folly of nuclear weapons.

14 | transnational Institute cross-cutting themes | Annual Report | TNI

5 Facilitating advocacy TNI facilitates cross- regional dialogues aimed at strengthening collective learning and expanding civil society capacity to engage with policy- 3 Empowering makers on, for example, public movements for water solutions or alternative visions of regional integration. change It supports advocacy efforts by While TNI puts its information, Southern movements in Europe, analysis and ideas into the through building cross-regional public domain generally, it solidarity, arranging lobby tours, specifically seeks to empower hearings with parliamentarians, movements for change. Most meetings with policy makers recently, for example, it has and press outreach. This is helped Southern trade activists done regularly on trade and and government negotiators investment issues, for example, compare notes on their dealings resulting in greater public with the EU, so that they are in scrutiny in Europe of the impact a stronger position to assert of EC positions on development sovereign interests. Another is in the South. 2 Proposing the booklets on major Overseas Always careful to ensure it Development Agencies’ 4 Building has a solid mandate from the alternatives land-related policies published movements for movements with which it works, TNI believes that it is crucial to assist the advocacy of TNI also engages directly with not only to criticise, but to organisations of poor farmers change policy-makers, for example, over offer feasible alternatives. in the South defending their TNI also actively helps build how the UN and EU can support This report describes cases lands and livelihoods in the transnational movements for public water solutions. In other where new forms of democratic face of competition from change through, for example, cases, like in its drugs work, TNI service provision are bearing foreign agribusiness or, most playing a leading role in the has convened informal policy fruit and serving as models recently, the wave of global strong bi-regional coalitions dialogues bringing together for initiatives elsewhere. TNI’s land grabs. TNI also documents forged through the Asia- policy makers, NGOs and drugs and conflict programme best practices, like the Europe People’s Forum and experts. Held under Chatham has spent almost a decade innovative experiments with the Enlazando Alternativas House Rules, they provide an talking with policy makers alternatives to privatisation forum in Latin America, informal environment in which about what a humane, effective of water utilities, or those or helping to found new issues can be discussed that drugs policy should look like. with participatory democracy networks like Climate Justice may be difficult to approach in a Propositions are on the table that have evolved from Now!, the International formal setting. These dialogues for how to turn this moment of popularisation of the efforts Network for the Abolition of have helped shift policy global crisis into an opportunity of the Brazilian city of Foreign Military Bases and discourse in favour of a harm for a green conversion. Porto Alegre. Reclaim Public Water. reduction approach.

transnational Institute | 15 TNI | Annual Report | chapter header 'In certain areas of expertise the best qualified experts are to be found in the public sector. This is certainly the case concerning water provision and resource management where public water operators provide over 90 per cent of water and sanitation services globally. Public-public partnerships are potentially a very cost-effective approach to promoting the relevant “good governance” principles in the ACP water sector, with potentially long-term and sustainable impacts on institutional and organisational change' EC discussion paper on the ACP-EU Water Facility

16 | transnational Institute public services | Annual Report | TNI Public services Participatory democratic public services as an alternative to privatisation

Public services around the world are in crisis. While state-run facilities have often proved inefficient, widespread privatisation has resulted in higher costs to consumers and loss of access to services for many, especially the poor. TNI supports the development of well-functioning, democratically organised public service provision which will guarantee universal access to water, energy, health and other basic services

Water justice and the European Union have and equitable solutions for the Over the past five years, TNI has been increasingly recognising the global water crisis. advanced the debate on how to potential of public water solutions. overcome water poverty, and has TNI and its partners have been TNI acts as the hub of the RPW built a strong, multi-stakeholder working hard to encourage network, facilitating global, network around the issue governments and international regional and local collective of access to drinking water. bodies to embrace this trend. learning processes on public After two decades in which water utility reforms. The network privatisation has been heavily Reclaiming Public Water shares information and develops advocated as the only solution TNI’s activities to promote water collective strategies through to inefficient public services, justice are embedded in the regular e-mail exchanges and tele- TNI believes it is crucial to Reclaiming Public Water network, conferences, exchange visits, and learn from successful public an international network of civil face-to-face meetings such as the utility reforms and community society activists, trade unionists, assembly during the World Water management in numerous academics, water utility managers Forum in Istanbul in March 2009. countries around the world. and engineers. Multi-sector participation is an essential In recent years, partly as a result feature of the RPW network. When Public-public partnerships of pressure from a burgeoning the network was established in TNI advocates and facilitates public-public partnerships (PuPs). PuPs global water justice movement, 2005 it had 60 members from aim to link up public water operators on a non-profit basis to strengthen management and technical capacity. They offer an innovative and practical donor governments, international 20 countries. By 2009, it had 170 way of allowing public water managers in the South to share their expertise, financial institutions, and members from 41 countries. It disseminate good practices and ideas, and drive up performance. multilateral actors like the UN advocates effective, democratic

transnational Institute | 17 TNI | Annual Report | public services

In 2009, the RPW network helped Water Operators Partnerships and its membership of the ISC is launch a regional platform in Latin Alliance. The GWOPA, hosted by in recognition of the network’s America for public-community UN-Habitat, is an alliance of public importance both as a stakeholder partnerships (Plataforma de and private water operators, and as a resource. Acuerdos Público-Comunitarios) designed to increase their scope, to foster the capacity of the water impact and capacity. Given the major role of private justice movement to envision and water operators in GWOPA, construct viable alternatives. The At the founding meeting of the RPW network has been platform is hosted by the regional the GWOPA in Nairobi, Kenya, deeply involved in advocacy to network Red Vida. Similar efforts in January 2009, the RPW ensure that the Alliance remains are now underway in Asia, with network was selected as a fully focused on not-for-profit India taking the lead. civil society representative co-operation between public on its International Steering utilities, and that Southern water Global Water Operators Committee (ISC). RPW managers are given a lead role Partnerships Alliance supported and contributed to the in the GWOPA mechanism. The A major achievement in 2009 was development of the GWOPA from first ISC meeting was held in the official launch of the Global the start of the initiative in 2006 Stockholm in August 2009, where the GWOPA charter and principles were discussed. The GWOPA CANTV: pioneering telecom as a human low salaries, job insecurity and very poor working is still rather fragile, not least right conditions. The new CANTV encouraged workers in because private water operators CANTV is the second largest company in Venezuela, those companies to form their own co-operatives to have different objectives. providing telephone services, internet and satellite cov- provide the same services to the public enterprise. erage. Originally a private company, it was nationalised More than 3,300 workers have now organised in this EU Water Facility in 1953 and re-privatised in 1991. In 2007, new Bolivarian way. Furthermore, CANTV now sources services and In 2009, several years of legislation declared telecommunications a human right. materials from small and medium companies inside persistent advocacy work to The Venezuelan government argued that CANTV was Venezuela, rather than from big foreign companies as make development aid funds denying access to poorer, indigenous and geographi- in the past. This has had a big economic impact given available for public-public cally isolated communities. CANTV was renationalised. CANTV’s size. partnerships (PuPs) and other pro-public approaches resulted In 2009, on the strength of our excellent pre-existing As far as community participation goes, the new in the launch by the European work on public service alternatives, TNI was invited CANTV followed the success in the water sector in Commission of a new ACP to participate in an in-depth evaluation of CANTV. Full encouraging the establishment of mesas tecnicas, (African, Caribbean and Pacific intellectual autonomy, without political interference forums for community organisations wanting to countries)-EU Water Facility. This was agreed. A team was then put together, comprised participate actively in the formulation of policy and co- is the first time the EU has made of Venezuelan social scientists and telecommunica- management of service delivery locally. Services have funding available for PuPs in the tion specialists, along with other researchers from now been extended to geographic areas social sectors water sector. Although the budget the Netherlands, Canada, Spain, Uruguay, Argentina, not covered previously. With the launch of Venezuela’s (40 million euros) is relatively US and Canada. The evaluation showed that CANTV own state satellite, CANTV now has the potential to small compared with what is has remained a well-run and profitable company, reach even the most isolated communities. necessary to achieve the MDGs but the difference was that profits were now being impacted by water provision, reinvested in the country, whereas previously they left Recommendations arising from the report include this policy change has important the country as the main shareholder had been Verizon, greater emphasis on training for workers on wider repercussions. It marks a US multinational giant. It also investigated dimen- telecommunications and public management; investing the end of a period in which the sions that conventional company evaluations do not, in research and development to sustain innovation; and Commission promoted increased such as job creation and community participation. strengthening efforts to involve communities. private sector involvement as the ÌÌ www.tni.org/interview/venezuelas-cantv-what-should- primary way forward for water When CANTV had been privatised in 1991, jobs were 21st-century-socialist%E2%80%9D-telecommunica- delivery in Africa and elsewhere in outsourced to companies with little accountability, tions-company-look the South.

18 | transnational Institute public services | Annual Report | TNI

The RPW network, as the main World Water Forum in around 70 countries, compared global civil society platform on The three-yearly World Water to just 44 based on the previously ‘It wasn’t about these issues, played a key role in Forum has been an important much vaunted public-private resistance to effecting this policy change by focus of attention for TNI and the partnership (PPP) arrangements. bringing different stakeholders RPW network. The Forum, run by change, it was together. TNI, with the Corporate the private think-tank World Water Although the WWF’s official about controlling Europe Observatory (CEO), has Council, is designed to promote declaration failed to recognise your own destiny played a key role in shaping the new pro-privatisation agendas. Together water as human right, governments Water Facility, delivering policy with many partners in the global wa- from over 25 countries signed and not having recommendations drawn from the ter justice movement, TNI has made a counter-declaration that someone come knowledge accumulated within major efforts to bring together ‘recognises access to water the RPW network. In September water activists, trade unionists and and sanitation as a human right’ in and manage us 2009, prior to finalisation of the progressive water operators from and committed themselves ‘to through change’ Facility, TNI and CEO co-hosted the South to present alternatives all necessary actions for the Tony Carr, Unison representative a workshop in Brussels. It was to the WWF agenda. At the Forum progressive implementation of on public service reform in attended by 20 public utilities from in 2009, TNI co-hosted a seminar this right.’ This brought the number Newcastle, UK the Netherlands, France, Spain and entitled Implementing the right to of countries which do not endorse Belgium, as well as trade unions, water: Democratisation and public- the World Water Forum’s approach NGOs and representatives of the public partnerships. to 25 (compared to four at the European Commission. Most of previous WWF in Mexico City in these utilities have rich experiences In March, in preparation for the 2006). There is still a long way to go with public-public projects in WWF, TNI published the report before a majority of governments developing countries and are eager Public-Public Partnerships in Water, abandon their endorsement to expand their engagement. The together with Public Services of the World Water Council’s RPW network is now working with International. The report provides pro-privatisation policies, but progressive water operators to a clear introduction to the meaning important steps have been taken. demonstrate the positive results of and potential of PuPs and presents ÌÌhttp://tni.org/project/water- PuPs and to act on the possibilities a wide range of short case studies. justice offered by the Water Facility. It is It highlights the fact that PuPs are also keen to expand EU support for becoming the more popular choice, PuPs in other regions. with over 130 ‘water PuPs’ operating

Public service reform … but not as to privatisation aimed at improving local public services. we know it! The study found that by 2008, net savings of 28.5 million euros had been achieved, projected forward over an A militant campaign in 2002 by Britain’s public sector 11-year period. Every area of service had improved union, Unison, successfully defeated the attempt by significantly, from the speed and accuracy of benefit Newcastle council to privatise the city’s information payments to satisfaction with the new call centre and technology (IT) and related services. For the next six the ‘one stop shops’ for all council services. This study years, the union branch and council managers formed an has helped build the case for workplace democracy as a innovative partnership to transform the service. key ingredient in improving public services. TNI’s Hilary Wainwright led the project, and in 2009 Unison’s strategy was to campaign for the council to produced a book with Mathew Little called 'Public make an ‘in-house’ bid when the IT service was put out service reform … but not as we know it'. to tender. The union insisted that management take responsibility for the bid on union terms, which included 'A fascinating and lively account of how it is by no compulsory redundancies, major resources for (re) strengthening democracy, involving workers and training, and staff involvement throughout the process. citizens we can transform our public services. It truly kicks privatisation into touch!' Over 2008 and 2009, TNI was invited by the union to Baroness Helena Kennedy QC document the struggle for a trade union-led alternative ÌÌ www.tni.org/article/public-service-reform

transnational Institute | 19 TNI | Annual Report | chapter header 'The“Since current we all agree global that crisis the world... presents is suffering a historic from war, opportunity.from inequities, Social from movementsthe inhuman treatment and civil of perhaps societymore than have two the thirds chance of humanity, to develop let us a come strategic together responseto examine and these not questions merely seekand to short see what term answers we can collectively produce that may perhaps deliver us, as humanity,solutions as relying the human on the race, institutions into a world and different policies from that have caused the crisis in the first place' theConcept onenote for conference we areon 'Regional living Integration: in today.” An opportunity to face the crises', Paraguay, July 2009 Philanthropist Samuel Rubin declaring his hopes for TNI, Paris, 1972 Protocol on Substances that Deplete the away from the hydrofluorocarbons (HCFCs), consumption of HCFCs rapidly and risk building Ozone Layer, developing countries (i.e. substances with lower ODP values which an HCFC-based infrastructure that can be countries that operate under Articel 5 of have been used as transitional replacements costly and complicated to convert to non-ODS that agreement) have developed strategies while CFCs were being phased out. In Article refrigerants in the future. The freeze in 2013, and sucessfully implemented measures to 5 countries, HCFCs are scheduled to be and that early actions are taken to redu early phase out chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) - the compeltely phased out by 2030 (with a samll actions are taken to reduce new H to non-ODS ozone depleting substances with high Ozone servicing tail of only 2.5% allowed from ce new H to non-ODS refrigerants in the future. Depleting Potentials (ODP) - by 1 January 2010. 2030-2040). This might seem to be a long The freeze in 2013, and that early actions are In the coming years, the focus will be to move time, but many countries are increasing their taken to reduce new HCFC a minimum (if any).

20 | transnational Institute alternative regionalisms | Annual Report | TNI Alternative Regionalisms Challenging divisive EU trade policies

TNI’s ongoing work to promote alternative regionalisms was informed in 2009 by three interconnected issues: the European Union’s Global Europe Policy, the role of European transnational corporations in Southern economies, and the multiple crises currently facing the global community

FREE TRADE responsibilities to reinvest forum. Members of these global europe Central to the European profits either directly or through coalitions use the information Commission’s strategy for taxation, and render Southern to engage their national and promoting Europe’s prosperity economies dependent on regional governments. To are the free-trade agreements Northern markets and suppliers. encourage a similar development (FTAs) it has been negotiating TNI has played a prominent in Southern Africa, TNI facilitates with countries and regions in the role in informing Southern civil the participation of counterparts South. With the impasse in the society organisations (CSOs) and from Africa in these forums. WTO negotiations, the EU has governments on the EU’s trade Much of TNI’s work in 2009 turned to bilateral and bi-regional strategy and helping them to focused on preparations for the trade negotiations to open up shape responses to it. two-yearly meetings of both new markets for its corporations. forums in Europe in 2010. These are conducted primarily Informing the South with the interests of Europe’s TNI has helped establish regional Between 2005 and 2009, TNI transnational corporations in and cross-regional networks co-organised around 50 seminars mind and scant concern for the to enable CSOs to share on the Global Europe strategy and interests of Southern societies experiences and learn from each EU-South FTAs. The seminars – themselves. They include other. In particular, the Institute given at venues like WTO and G8 demands that would require has helped to build strong bi- counter-summits, the World Social commercialisation of public regional coalitions through the Forum, the European Social Forum services, facilitate foreign Asia-Europe People’s Forum and bi-regional CSO network domination of key sectors of and Enlazando Alternativas, an forums – reached a combined Southern economies, minimise equivalent Latin America-Europe audience of over 9,000.

transnational Institute | 21 TNI | Annual Report | alternative regionalisms

TNI’s 2009 briefing, European focused on Latin America, the pledge. A meeting was organised Union: Promoter of Regional questions it raised apply equally with 60 newly elected MEPs on Integration in Latin America to the EU’s divisive trade policy how to follow through on their – Rhetoric and Reality? drew in Asia and Africa. Four thousand pledges. attention to the contradiction copies of the briefing were between the EU‘s professed disseminated across Europe In 2009, TNI continued to support for regional integration and Latin America and online. participate in the efforts of in Latin America and the actual It was one of a series of TNI migrant communities to protect experience of the negotiations briefing papers which gave CSOs their rights and to ensure that on the EU-LAC (Latin America and governments in the South EU delegations represent and the Caribbean) Association a better insight into EU trade their interests at bi-regional Agreements. Although the paper negotiations and encouraged the EU-South meetings. The sharing of information Transnational Migrant Platform, Debating Europe: sessions in 2009 and strategies. co-founded by TNI in 2008, convened two Europe-wide '[The TNI debate] was refreshingly provocative and radical… Informing Europe conferences and participated Europe may be peering over the edge of an abyss but at least there are some thinkers and policy-makers searching for ways The focus of TNI’s efforts to bring in the European Working to drag us back' about a change in EU policy was Group to prepare the People’s David Gow, European Business Editor, Guardian a series of public debates with Global Action on Migration and high-level European officials in Development in Athens. 'The Global Crisis, solutions, and implications for EU Trade Policy' Brussels. Five of these debates Gaspar Frontini, Chief Economist EC DG Trade; Susan George, TNI were held in 2009, three on the An architecture of President; and Ignasi Guardans, MEP/Vice-Chair of EP Committee on global crisis and its implications impunity International Trade for EU trade and investment TNI works to expose the relations, and one each on the architecture which allows 'The Global Economic Crisis and EU Responses – Beyond the G20' EU-ASEAN (Association of transnational corporations (TNCs) with Gert-Jan Koopman, EC Director for Structural Reforms, Lisbon Southeast Asian Nations) and to operate with impunity in the strategy, Economic Evaluation, DG Economic & Financial Affairs; and EU-CAN (Community of Andean economies of the South. With a Walden Bello, TNI Fellow, President Freedom from Debt Coalition, Nations) negotiations. special focus on Latin America, Senior Associate Focus on the Global South, Professor University of the TNI conducted research and Philippines and Congressman In an effort to shape EU produced documentation to show responses to the global crisis, how the European Commission 'Responses to the Economic Crisis: Perspectives ahead of the TNI co-operated in creating a structurally supports a system G20 Meeting in Pittsburgh'’ with Pedro Paez Pérez, ex-Minister for cross-networking space for which frees TNCs of any liability Economic Policy Coordination, head Ecuadorian Presidential Commission European trade unions and other for harms caused – not only for New Regional Financial Architecture/Banco del Sur, Stiglitz social movements to co-ordinate through the FTAs and other trade Commissioner; and Adrian van den Hoven, Director of Business Europe IR strategies towards the UN and agreements, but also through its department on WTO, bilateral trade negotiations G20 crisis conferences and financial, security, environmental engage in the debates on the and aid policies. 'The EU-ASEAN FTA – going bilateral?' with Charles Santiago, Malaysian EU constitutional treaty. TNI MP for the Democratic Action Party; Helmut Markov, GUE/NGL MEP and also participated in a Seattle- In November, in co-operation chairperson of European Parliament Committee on International Trade; to-Brussels (S2B) campaign to with 70 organisations and and Ignacio García Bercero, Director of Development and Management of obtain pledges from members of networks from Europe and Latin Trade Relations with Neighbourhood Countries and with South-East Asia the European Parliament (MEPs) America, TNI organised a hearing to work for a just EU trade at the European Parliament 'WTO Doha Round and EPAs in an era of crisis: salvation or suicide policy, corporate accountability, to draw the attention of EU for ACP countries?'’ with Dot Keet, TNI Fellow, AIDC (South Africa) and transparency and ethics, and a policy-makers to the evidence Africa Trade Network; and Ignacio Iruarrizaga Díez, Deputy Head Services reformed financial architecture. of complicity between the EU and Investment Unit of the EC’s DG Trade A total of 381 MEPs signed the and transnational corporations.

22 | transnational Institute alternative regionalisms | Annual Report | TNI

The hearing was attended by 250 how to dismantle structures governments to construct a joint Three decades of people, including many MEPs and of corporate political power response to this convergence delegates from Latin America. and make corporations legally of crises. neo-liberal policies accountable for upholding rights have culminated TNI and its partners link up and standards. The networks in PAAR share a communities and groups strong commitment to reclaiming in a deep rooted impacted by the activities of Multiple crises the regions, democratising the global financial TNCs to share their experiences Neo-liberal policies have proved processes of regional integration, and ultimately and increase the international the single biggest obstacle to and advancing just and sustainable visibility of their campaigns for the achievement of the UN’s regional policies. PAAR sees this economic crisis, justice. The main focus of this millennium development goals. as a key strategy in countering a yawning gap work in 2009 was on preparations Three decades of neo-liberal the negative impact of neo-liberal for the third Permanent People’s policies have culminated in a globalisation. It facilitates the between rich and Tribunal (PPT) on TNCs to be held deep rooted global financial and cross-fertilisation of experiences poor, a reversal of in Madrid in May 2010. Going ultimately economic crisis, a on regional alternatives among civil many of the rights beyond previous sessions, this yawning gap between rich and society organisations embedded PPT will focus on the architecture poor, a reversal of many of the in social movements from Asia, and standards of impunity, rather than the rights and standards established Africa, Latin America and Europe. established over conduct of particular companies. over the past century, the In so doing, PAAR seeks to the past century, It is aimed at stimulating exclusion of millions from access showcase the feasible alternatives international co-operation on to sufficient food, livelihoods, possible. It also seeks allies among the exclusion of basic goods and services, and sympathetic governments millions from An alternative trade accelerated destruction of access to sufficient mandate the environment, including the In July, a major breakthrough In 2009, together with other depletion of biodiversity and was achieved when the first joint food, livelihoods, organisations inside and outside natural resources. These crises conference of social movements basic goods the S2B network, TNI started to now converge with the looming and governments was co- work towards the construction of climate crisis. organised with the Paraguayan and services, an alternative trade mandate for Presidency of Mercosur as part and accelerated the European Union. A text has People everywhere, including of the agenda of the official destruction of been developed following a broad recently many governments Mercosur Summit. The global participatory process involving – particularly in the South, convergence of crises and the the environment, trade activists, trade unions, are questioning the prevailing need to rethink mainstream including the migrant workers, environmentalists, paradigm and political capture development strategies provided depletion of human rights, farmers’ and women’s by its proponents, and are the context for the conference. groups, as well as development experimenting with alternative biodiversity and organisations. This will be policies and practices that might Conclusions were reflected in the natural resources presented at the PPT in Madrid. point the way to a saner, fairer, final statement of the Summit. The next step is to organise a series more social and sustainable TNI ensured the presence of workshops bringing together alternative. of civil society and political parliamentarians and civil society representatives from Africa groups from Europe and elsewhere At the beginning of 2009, and South East Asia, as part of a to engage in a broad debate as to during a workshop at the World more general effort to facilitate how to reorient EU trade policy Social Forum in Belem, Brazil, cross-regional learning and so that it serves, rather than TNI and its partners in the engagement. undermines, the achievement of People’s Agenda for Alternative socio-economic and environmental Regionalisms (PAAR) network For more information on the priorities in the South. proposed a global conference conference, see: www.s2bnetwork.org of social movements and ÌÌ www.alternative-regionalisms.org

transnational Institute | 23 TNI | Annual Report | chapter header 'Copenhagen has ... given a new momentum to global justice movements that put the multiple climate crises at the centre of the wider convergence of social, economic, political, and governance crises. The climate debate ... is no longer the monopoly of scientists and technocrats. Climate debate has probably now more than ever become an issue of capitalism, labour and class, migration, gender, militarism, energy models, and food production, to mention but a few' Beatriz Martinez, On the Copenhagen UN climate summit or why you need more than butter to bake a cake - reflections on positive outcomes

24 | transnational Institute climate justice | Annual Report | TNI climate justice Moving beyond a carbon-based economy

With all eyes on the UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen in December, carbon trading was high on the global political agenda in 2009. It also featured in a proposed US climate bill and the EU’s new climate and energy package. As a long-term opponent of this ‘trade in pollution’, TNI worked closely with partner organisations in the run-up to and during the climate summit to challenge these initiatives and present solidly researched, proven-in-practice alternatives

In the decade since Kyoto, global to reduce emissions at source, System change, not Climate Justice activists efforts to tackle climate change including opposing initiatives climate change take to the streets of have failed miserably. Greenhouse to enlarge the carbon market, To help present an alternative Copenhagen gas emissions have continued especially the proposals to voice at the Copenhagen to rise, and quickly. There has expand the Clean Development conference, TNI played a leading been a threefold growth in Mechanism. role in coalitions like Climate emissions from fossil fuels. The Justice Action and Klimaforum, powerful nations continue to Against this background, TNI which drew attention to the failure rely on ‘putting a price on carbon’ continued in 2009 to promote of carbon market-based strategies to reduce energy use and limit climate justice by linking up to address climate change. At climate change, despite any with the wider global justice the conference itself, TNI and its evidence that this works. movement. The programme partners kept up the pressure to provided evidence-based seek alternatives by producing TNI’s Environmental Justice research and analysis of what clear information on the issues, in programme advocates is wrong with carbon trading, the form of factsheets and a daily international policies that move multimedia education materials Climate Chronicle, distributed in the world towards low carbon and technical support to partner print form (5,000 copies) and made economies. In practice, that organisations in the three major accessible online. Workshops means ending fossil fuel use, networks in which its work is and other side events attracted closing loopholes that obfuscate embedded: the Durban Group hundreds of attendees, with an the climate impact of trade for Climate Justice, the Agrofuels estimated 50,000 people visiting liberalisation, and doing away Coalition and Climate the Klimaforum09, the alternative with offset logics that do nothing Justice Now! People’s Climate Summit

transnational Institute | 25 TNI | Annual Report | climate justice

Despite the failure of the official regime had firmly moved climate reaching more than 5,000 TNI participated conference to produce an change and climate justice into the people. The events put climate in more than 30 effective strategy on climate mainstream of global struggles justice on the agenda of hundreds change, there were clear positive for justice. of organisations, helped bring speaking events outcomes for TNI and its allies about a change of focus in and workshops seeking climate justice. A small Global outreach many NGOs that had previously group of nations, with Bolivia Away from the media glare of accepted market-led solutions, around the world, at the forefront (with a TNI Copenhagen, TNI engaged in and opened up the climate reaching more staff member seconded to the a wide range of activities to debate to new groups and Bolivian delegation), stood up support its partners and inform individuals, as witnessed by the than 5,000 people, to the powerful countries of the the public. These included growth in membership of climate putting climate North and refused to adopt the public speaking events, media justice networks. Copenhagen Accord. In the streets outreach, dissemination of justice on the of Copenhagen, up to 100,000 publications, global networking Important popular education people demanded ‘system change, and advocacy. materials were produced, agenda of hundreds not climate change’, echoing the including the primer ‘Carbon of organisations, Klimaforum People’s Declaration. TNI’s team participated in more Trading: How it works and why The broad-based opposition than 30 speaking events and it fails’ (see box), and the short and opening up the to the prevailing market-based workshops around the world, animation film ‘The Story of climate debate to Cap and Trade’ for which TNI European outreach tour provided advice, research and new groups In 2009, TNI conducted a public information and outreach tour of script-editing. TNI also supported and individuals Europe, designed to draw critical attention to EU climate policy and raise indigenous groups in undertaking awareness of the EU’s role in promoting carbon markets in the run-up to popular education on carbon the Copenhagen conference. trading, land issues and proposals for Reducing Emissions from The tour incorporated a mix of popular education workshops and panel Deforestation and Degradation discussions in the context of larger climate conferences and civil society (REDD). These included co- gatherings. Particular attention was paid to awareness-raising on how publication of a primer on REDD carbon trading works (and why it fails), including the crucial role played with the Indigenous Environment by the EU in promoting it as a core feature of the neo-liberal global Network, participation in the climate regime. making of a Sommerfilms The outreach tour contributed significantly to the consolidation of climate documentary on REDD, and joint justice activism in Europe raising critical awareness of carbon trading, the work on an Indigenous People’s role of the EU, and corporate influences on climate policy. The extensive Guide on False Solutions to outreach activities planted many seeds, and the demand for further Climate Change – published by materials suggest that they are taking root. Earth Peoples.

26 | transnational Institute climate justice | Annual Report | TNI

An India That Can Say Yes: A Climate-Responsible Development Agenda for Copenhagen and Beyond Praful Bidwai (Delhi: Heinrich Boll Stiftung) 2009 This book shows that climate-responsible development is both possible and necessary. It analyses the climate negotiations process, North-South and rich-poor fault-lines, flaws in market-based approaches, and various burden- shearing proposals focused on development equity. It argues that the rich in the South should be brought into the mitigation net and ‘emerging economies’ like China and India must join the global climate mitigation effort even while maintaining the principle of North-South differentiation in responsibility.

Bidwai subjects India’s climate policy and negotiating stance to a critique and proposes alternative equitable approaches. Instead of hiding behind the poor, and refusing anything other than a per capita emissions norm for burden-sharing, India can and should take far-reaching mitigation and adaptation measures while focusing on raising the living standard of its poor and defending North-South equity globally.

“No secondary book on climate change and India can be written satisfactorily without reference to this one.” Nagraj Adve www.tni.org/users/praful-bidwai

Carbon Trading: The primer is part of a series on climate issues published by the Dag how it works and why it fails Hammarskjöld Foundation as one of the focuses of a bigger ‘What Next? This primer written by TNI’s Carbon Trade Watch staff provides a project’ in which TNI staff and fellows participated. It is an updated, popular devastating critique of the theory and practice of carbon trading. version of a pioneering 2006 publication written by Larry Lohman of Corner Published on the eve of the Copenhagen conference, it shows how House UK, and complements another publication on climate justice to the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, the world’s largest carbon market, which TNI Fellows Edgardo Lander and Walden Bello contributed. has consistently failed to cap emissions, while the UN’s Clean “Anyone who still thinks that creating a carbon casino can solve our Development Mechanism (CDM) routinely favours environmentally climate crisis owes it to themselves to read this book. The most ineffective and socially unjust projects. It includes compelling case convincing and concise challenge to the green profiteers yet.” studies of CDM projects in Brazil, Indonesia, India and Thailand that Naomi Klein, author, The Shock Doctrine have proved fraudulent, to be based on dispossession and human rights abuses, and led to strong resistance. It reveals how carbon Published by the Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation www.dhf.uu.se trading diverts attention from a rapid transition away from fossil fuel as part of its Critical Currents series. ISBN: 1654-4250 expansion, and points to a plethora of alternative ways forward. ÌÌ www.tni.org/carbon-trade-fails

transnational Institute | 27 TNI | Annual Report | agrarian justice agrarian justice Land and food sovereignty

In recent years, TNI has been bringing together its long-standing clusters of work on issues directly linked to rural development under a new agrarian justice programme. The programme conducts research and analysis on the impact of agrofuels, development aid and land policies, global land grabbing, food sovereignty, social movements and rural democratisation eU AND AGROFUELS Agrofuels: EU policy assump- three tracks. First, researchers of agrofuels in the South as an tions fail to reflect reality conducted fieldwork in the three opportunity for rural development, In 2009, as part of its work with countries. Then the TNI-based production has been dominated by the Co-operative Research on lead researchers organised a CSO agro-business, with small producers Environmental Problems in Europe workshop in Maputo in August- being excluded. Finally, in Brazil, (CREPE) initiative, TNI undertook a September, where the preliminary agrofuel cultivation was found to comparative study of agrofuels in findings were presented and be expanding to the Cerrado and Brazil, Mozambique, and Germany. discussed. Lastly, the case studies Amazon regions, concentrating The study, conducted jointly with were re-interpreted and the work- land and degrading workers’ condi- researchers around the world, shop outcomes incorporated into tions, contradicting assumptions examined the policy assumptions the analysis. about the environmental and social underlying the European Union’s sustainability of Brazilian sugar cane. policy on biofuels. The EU policy Outcomes assumes that more widespread The findings of the CREPE study With the probability that these production and use of biofuels contradicted the EU’s policy impacts may intensify as agrofuel will have beneficial impacts on the assumptions. There were, for ex- production increases, further environment, energy security and ample, doubts about reductions in critical research is necessary. rural development, especially in the greenhouse gas emissions through This will also help to hold biofuel South. The study questions these the transition to agrofuels. It was policies accountable for the harms assumptions by contrasting them also found that agrofuels feed they generate and question the with reality in three case studies: industrial expansion by supplement- fundamental development models Mozambique, Brazil and Germany ing rather than replacing fossil fuels. that corporate-led agrofuels serve. The study proceeded along Furthermore, despite the promotion ÌÌ www.tni.org/report/agrofuel-crops

28 | transnational Institute agchaprartianer headejusticer | Annual Report | TNI

The Food Wars Walden Bello July 2009 The hike in global food prices has pushed hundreds of millions more people into poverty, and sparked riots and protests in the Middle East, Africa and the Americas. Walden Bello, the leading writer and activist on the global South, provides a penetrating analysis of the causes: not just the rise in energy costs, but also the IMF and WTO-led restructuring of the worldwide agricultural system.

Charting the evolution of the current crisis, Bello also offers a way forward: the principle of food sovereignty, allowing the developing world to protect and sustain a diverse range of crops. ‘The Food Wars’ is an impassioned, informed and constructive account of a critical turning point in the system of global trade.

'Walden Bello is the world’s best guide to American exploitation of the globe’s poor and defenceless … He directly challenges the propaganda and the policies of the Washington establishment with an analysis that is both original and persuasive' Chalmers Johnson ISBN: 13: 978 1 84467 331 5 www.tni.org/tnibook/food-wars

Global Agrofuels: Sustaining What Development?

The four-and-a-half day international workshop in Maputo, Mozambique, however, gave it a much broader significance and a new dynamic, as the co-organised by TNI and Uniao Nacional de Camponeses (UNAC), drew participants became more directly involved in shaping the methodology some 50 participants from fourteen countries as well as several local and structure. This enhanced the quality of the discussions, and civil society organisations and transnational networks concerned with strengthened a process of mutual learning across regions and between the issue of global agrofuels. The immediate objective of the workshop agrarian and environmental justice movements. was to present the initial findings of the study of EU biofuels policy. The workshop presentations can be found at http://globalagrofuels. The concerns of the wide range of groups attending the workshop, wordpress.com/presentations-and-papers/

transnational Institute | 29 TNI | Annual Report | chapter header 'There should be no eradication and implementation of opium bans until small-farmer households have viable and sustainable livelihoods' Redefining targets: Towards a realistic Afghan drug control strategy, Policy briefing on Afghanistan

30 | transnational Institute drugs & conflict | Annual Report | TNI drugs and conflict A focus on longer-term development and peace-building

TNI’s efforts to bring about alternative development policies based on harm reduction and human rights principles focused especially on Afghanistan and Burma in 2009. Policies to eradicate drug production and end the often closely related conflicts in these countries have had a devastating effect on livelihoods, especially of small farmers dependent on the production of opium poppies afghanistan of assistance to famers largely building efforts, rather than on afghanistan and burma remained unfulfilled and heroin forced eradication of poppy Redefining targets use is on the rise in Afghanistan. fields and exaggerating Taliban Afghanistan remains the world’s The focus, it recommended, opium earnings. Conflating the largest producer of opium and has should be on longer-term war on drugs and the war on the an under-reported but growing development and health care, Taliban was counter-productive heroin use problem. In December, reconstruction and peace- to both efforts TNI argued. TNI published a policy briefing on Afghanistan, entitled ‘Redefining targets: Towards a realistic Afghan Ending the War in Afghanistan. Is Afghanistan really drug control strategy’, based on Afghanistan: A primer going to become ‘Obama’s war’? the findings of a mission to the In this compact primer, TNI What was the history of the US in country in November. The briefing Fellow Phyllis Bennis and David Afghanistan before September emphasised the links between the Wildman, Executive Secretary for 11? What role does NATO play drugs problem and the conflict in Human Rights and Racial Justice in the Afghanistan war? Do Afghanistan. It called for conflict- with the General Board of Global Afghans want the US troops to sensitive drugs policies, criticising Ministries, United Methodist stay in their country? Who are the the use of coercion to reduce Church, examine the US war in Taliban? What is al-Qaeda? And, poppy cultivation. Afghanistan and why it must be finally, what steps are needed to brought to an end. end the war? The briefing argued that drugs Published in November 2009 targets need to be realistically The authors address a wide range by Interlink Publishing reviewed, given that promises of key questions on the war in ISBN: 9781566567855

transnational Institute | 31 TNI | Annual Report | drugs and conflict

Publications and briefings minorities at the peace table. In of around 20 armed opposition The only way Providing information is one 2009 TNI and the World Food groups to conclude cease-fire to achieve of the pillars of TNI’s work. Programme in Burma assessed agreements with the government, The Drugs & Conflict and the the impact of the opium bans and there had been plans to lasting peace Drug Policy Briefing series in the Wa and Kokang regions transform them into official Border and democracy combine analysis with policy in the north of the country. Guard Forces. The resumption of recommendations, devoting European Commission officials conflict put paid to these plans. in Burma is to much attention to the drugs and and embassies in Bangkok Other cease-fire groups put their involve all ethnic conflict scenarios in Afghanistan were briefed on the findings. In armed forces on high alert, raising and Burma, and in Colombia. The May, TNI and the Burma Centre doubts about whether those opposition groups latest issues in 2009 reported Netherlands organised a harm truces could be sustained. TNI’s in discussions on major efforts with teams of reduction exchange mission, researcher was at the Burmese- local researchers in the Andean bringing delegations from ethnic China border at the time, producing about political and Southeast Asian regions minority groups from Burma to a new report soon thereafter. to analyse recent market the Netherlands. change in the developments and recommend 'Burma’s cease-fire at risk: country. Priority adequate policy responses. Cease-fires at risk Consequences of the Kokang An important encounter between crisis for peace and democracy' must also be given Two briefings were published representatives of Burmese concluded that the only way to the humanitarian on the future of the cease-fire ethnic minority groups and to achieve lasting peace and agreements in Burma and one on European and Scandinavian democracy would be to involve and social crises the sustainability of the opium foreign ministries was organised all ethnic opposition groups underpinning bans in the ethnic minority regions. for the first time by TNI and in discussions about political In addition, TNI staff and fellows Burma Centre Netherlands in change in the country. The report Burma’s political contributed numerous articles on July. A report on the future of the also called for priority to be given and economic the situation in Afghanistan, Burma ceasefire agreements, Burma: to the humanitarian and social and Colombia for publications and Neither Peace nor War was crises underpinning Burma’s malaise media outlets in Europe, the USA, published to coincide with political and economic malaise. Latin America and Asia. the event. That calls for support for primary health-care programmes and Almost immediately thereafter efforts to address tuberculosis, Burma fighting in the Kokang region malaria and HIV/AIDS, together Alternatives to sanctions between the government and the with community-based and a voice for ethnic Myanmar National Democratic development projects to former minorities Alliance Army (MNDAA) brought opium farmers and other In Burma, TNI works to promote an abrupt end to a two decade long marginalised communities. effective alternatives to truce. 37,000 people were forced European embassies in Thailand international sanctions and to flee across the border into were again briefed on the ensure a voice for ethnic China. The MNDAA were the first situation by TNI.

32 | transnational Institute drugs and conflict | Annual Report | TNI

Burma: Neither War nor Peace unlikely to agree to any of this and, indeed, the truces themselves will 2009 marks the twentieth anniversary of the first cease-fire be unlikely to hold. agreements in Burma, which put a stop to decades of fighting between The ethnic minority issue and the relevance of the cease-fire the military government and ethnic armed opposition groups. This agreements have been almost completely ignored by the international report explains the background to the agreements, the goals of the community, which has focused on the struggle of the democratic cease-fire groups, and international responses. It goes on to talk opposition led by Aung San Suu Kyi, who has become an international about the current situation and prospects for a sustained peace. icon. Without a political settlement that addresses ethnic minority Ethnic opposition groups who had taken up arms against the needs and goals, however, it is extremely unlikely there will be peace government in defence of autonomy and ethnic rights, but later and democracy in Burma. Instead of isolating and demonising the negotiated cease-fire agreements. These have held precariously cease-fire groups, all national and international actors concerned as the military government continued to ignore the groups’ main with peace and democracy in Burma should actively engage them in grievances and aspirations. Now, the regime wants them to disarm or discussions about political change in the country. become Border Guard Forces, and form political parties which would participate in the controversial 2010 elections. Unless some basic The report is available online. demands of the ethnic opposition groups are met, however, they are ÌÌ www.tni.org/report/neither-war-nor-peace

transnational Institute | 33 TNI | Annual Report | drug law reform drug law reform The human right to harm reduction

In 2009, TNI continued to work with its partners and like-minded governments to bring about changes in drug policies around the world based on the principles of harm reduction, the protection of human rights and alternative livelihoods

UNGASS review dating back a century to the 1909 rights objectives, a powerful, albeit Much of that work focused on International Opium Commission. minority, group of UN member the effectiveness of the United TNI was one of the few critical states continued to oppose this. Nations drugs policy over the past non-governmental organisations to Decisions at the CND are made on ten years, which was evaluated be present at the UNGASS in 1998 the basis of consensus rather than in 2009 at the 52nd session of and, in the intervening decade, has votes, therefore harm reduction the UN Commission on Narcotic gained a reputation as one of the could not be officially endorsed Drugs (CND) in Vienna. In 1998, the most influential watchdogs on UN in Vienna. At the end of the United Nations General Assembly drug control policies. meeting, however, Germany issued Special Session (UNGASS) on an unprecedented statement Drugs essentially affirmed the While a majority of UN member stating that they would ‘interpret zero-tolerance policies embedded states supported endorsement the term “related support in the three UN conventions and of harm reduction and human services” used in the Political

Harm reduction, human rights production and use has been responsible for serious and alternative livelihoods human rights violations, crimes and conflicts. Harm reduction refers to policies that aim to reduce the health, social and economic harms associated with TNI believes that all drugs policies should be based drug production and consumption. It means stepping on the principles of harm reduction and respect for away from punitive approaches and recognizing human rights, and should help to secure sustainable the presence of drugs as a permanent feature of livelihoods for those currently involved in cultivating modern society. Coercive attempts to eliminate drug crops used to produce drugs.

34 | transnational Institute chapter header | Annual Report | TNI 'The UNGASS review debate wouldn’t be happening without TNI pushing this process. It would have been a rubber stamp' XXDelegate to the 52nd session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna

Xxx

transnational Institute | 35 TNI | Annual Report | drug law reform

Declaration and the Plan of Action human rights principles. A major publishing issues on reform The repressive legal as including measures which a theme was HIV/AIDS. In 2009, efforts in Ecuador, Brazil and regime against drug number of states, international TNI continued to strengthen Mexico. In October, a TNI paper organisations and non- its ties with global HIV/AIDS entitled ‘Legislative Innovation in users, small dealers governmental organisations would alliances to emphasise the Drug Policy’ was presented at a and producers call “harm reduction measures”.’ link between incidence of the conference in Santiago de Chile The statement was supported disease and drug use, and harm organised by the Red Chilena de has caused a by 26 countries, including the reduction as the common ground. Reducción de Daños. The paper dramatic rise in Netherlands. Other global and regional issues was commissioned by the Latin included law enforcement, American Initiative on Drugs the world’s prison TNI had a measurable impact the proportionality of prison and Democracy, a continuation population. The on the course of the UNGASS sentences, decriminalisation of the previous Commission review process. Several officials of drug possession and prison initiated by former presidents deterrent effect of called its publications ‘the most overcrowding, the legal status of Fernando Henrique Cardoso of relevant contributions from non- the coca leaf, and the link between Brazil, César Gaviria of Colombia these policies has governmental side’. TNI regularly the decline in opium cultivation and and Ernesto Zedillo of Mexico. been negligible, advised governments, and the rise of methamphetamines in It summarises good practices in seconded an expert to assist the Southeast Asia. TNI also organised legislative reforms around the while prisons have Dutch government delegation to a second national informal policy world, representing steps away become a hub for the Vienna meeting. dialogue in The Hague, focusing on from a repressive zero-tolerance national policy developments and model towards a more humane drug trafficking Informal dialogues input for the UNGASS review. and evidence-based drug policy. Informal policy dialogues played a TNI also provided input for the major part in securing this impact, Drug law reform and final report of the Commission helping to get harm reduction on prisons in February 2009, which had a the agenda not only at the UN, but One of the consequences of the significant impact on the drug also of national governments. In repressive legal regime against policy debate in Latin America. 2009, in addition to the existing drug users, small dealers and dialogues in Europe (co-organised producers is a dramatic rise in Promoting alternative with the Andreas Papandreou the world’s prison population. development in drug-crop Foundation) and Latin America Studies have shown that the growing areas (with the Washington Office on deterrent effect of these policies TNI continued in 2009 to Latin America), the first Southeast has been negligible, while prisons promote conflict-sensitive and Asian dialogue was organised have become a hub for drug development-oriented drug policy in Bangkok, together with the trafficking. In many prisons, proposals. In the last decade, many German development agency inmates’ human rights are abused, lessons have been learned from GTZ. Now involving key players health conditions are poor and the promoting rural development in in almost 40 governments, the incidence of HIV/AIDS is high. opium poppy and coca growing dialogues established a clear In 2009, TNI initiated a new series areas, though much still needs to link between harm reduction and of briefings on drug law reform, be done to apply them.

Coca Myths In June 2009, TNI published the briefing Coca Myths government presented its proposal to amend the to clarify misconceptions about the coca leaf. Convention to the UN Social and Economic Council TNI actively supports the Bolivian government in (ECOSOC). After informal negotiations, the 54 its efforts to remove the coca leaf from the 1961 members of ECOSOC decided unanimously to pass Convention, announced by President Morales at the the amendment proposal on to the Parties of the High Level Segment of the CND in Vienna. In July, the Convention for an 18-month period of consideration.

36 | transnational Institute drug law reform | Annual Report | TNI In the last decade, many lessons have been learned from promoting rural development in opium poppy and coca growing areas, though much still needs to be done to apply them

Global Forum of Producers of Crops Declared to be Illicit In Barcelona in January, TNI co-organised the first worldwide farmers’ summit on drug-linked crops. The Global Forum of Producers of Crops Declared to be Illicit brought together 65 representatives of farmers’ organisations and experts working closely with rural communities in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean where coca, opium and cannabis is cultivated. They exchanged experiences with eradication policies and alternative development projects, and produced a set of recommendations for the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs meeting in Vienna in March. TNI also secured the representation of the farmers at the CND in Vienna, where two representatives presented their recommendations.

transnational Institute | 37 TNI | Annual Report | Militarism and globalisation Militarism and Globalisation Exposing the market in fear

TNI’s Militarism and Globalisation programme grew out of concerns that too little attention is paid to the connections between the economics of neoliberalism and the escalation of armed conflicts.T he programme has achieved good results, helping to stimulate political debate on the implications for the South of EU security policy and reorganisation of the defence industry

Neoliberalism and armed European governments, NeoConOpticon: The EU used for civilian, commercial, police, conflict supported by significant media Security-Industrial security and defence purposes alike. attention, have been kept well Complex Hard copies were distributed among informed on Southern civil In 2009, TNI and Statewatch journalists, parliamentarians, policy society’s views on ways forward to published NeoConOpticon: The makers, and within the security peace in countries such as Burma, EU Security-Industrial Complex, research sector itself. 125,789 copies Afghanistan, Palestine, Iraq the follow-up to the 2006 report of the report were downloaded from and Colombia. There have been Arming Big Brother, which the TNI and Statewatch sites. discernible shifts with regard to examined the development Burma and Afghanistan. A recent of the EU’s Security Research The report was well received by the Iraqi civil society conference Programme (ESRP). Arming Big media. In The Netherlands, prime should generate proposals that Brother, which was highly critical time news carried a story inspired can be presented to European of corporate influence on the by the report, followed by a series governments. ESRP, has been downloaded more of articles in NRC Next and picked than 500,000 times. up by a Volkskrant blogger. Articles In 2009, TNI continued to promote also appeared in the EU Observer, UN reform in the field of security NeoConOpticon presents detailed as well as the Guardian and the and conflict, contributing to a new research showing how the Observer in the UK. It caused the Dag Hammarsjköld report on ESRP is shaped by transnational ESRP to delay publication of its the Responsibility to Protect defence and security corporations. own annual report pending review (R2P) concept, currently a hot The report warns of the emergence of NeoConOpticon’s reception. issue at UN level with regard to of a powerful new European The report had a strong impact intervention in conflict zones. surveillance system that will be on the EU policy agenda, with >

38 | transnational Institute Militarism andchap globaliter headesationr | Annual Report | TNI It is not just a case of 'sleepwalking into', or 'waking up to' a surveillance society..., it feels more like turning a blind eye to the star of a new kind of arms race, one in which all the weapons are pointing inwards. Welcome to the NeoConOpticon NeoConOpticon: The EU Security-Industrial Complex, TNI and Statewatch'

more emphasis given by the No Bases years of protest, the local In 2009, an edited volume Commission and its advisory The International Network population finally managed of studies assessing the groups to the social and ethical for the Abolition of Foreign to stop the construction of a problems local communities implications of the EU security Military Bases, for which TNI new offshore US base. In the face around foreign bases research programme. A special provided the secretariat in Philippines, political pressure was published. The Bases of site dedicated to the area was 2009, facilitated the first on the government grew for Empire: The Global Struggle set up around the report. US conference on foreign reassessment of the legality against US Military Posts, See more at military bases in Washington and desirability of a US edited by Catherine Lutz, ÌÌ http://neoconopticon.word- DC and two regional meetings military counter-insurgency received positive reviews. press.com in Europe. The issue was the operation. In July, after a subject of major controversy at decade of popular protest and ‘A major Also well received in 2009 was this year’s meeting of UNASUR campaigning, the Ecuadorian contribution the complementary briefing (Latin America) and is now on government closed the Manta to understanding paper From Venus to Mars: the agenda of the 2010 NPT base for American military The European Union’s steps (Non-Proliferation of Nuclear use. The prospect of the US the causes and towards the militarisation of Weapons Treaty) Review relocating the facility to Peru consequences space. The paper assessed conference. or Colombia, however, was civilian and military R&D cause for concern resulting of U.S. military and warned of the excessive The No Bases campaign is in speaking tours, public bases at home influence of defence and having a clear impact on the debates and protests in those and abroad‘ security business lobbies at ground. On the Japanese countries. Dr Kimberly Theidon, EU level. island of Okinawa, after three Harvard University

transnational Institute | 39