Civil Society Calls for Better Trade and Finance Policies
12 August 2004
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| The Commonwealth could enhance civil society monitoring of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals |
Thirty civil society representatives from 20 Commonwealth countries participated in a consultation from 26 to 29 July 2004 in London, UK, on the forthcoming 2004 Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting (CFMM). They put forward the above as well as other proposals in a statement to be delivered by two civil society representatives to the finance ministers when they meet in St Kitts and Nevis on 29 September.
The July consultation, organised by the Commonwealth Foundation in preparation for CFMM, also involved members from international policy research organisations. Delegates exchanged views on the 2004 CFMM theme, 'Capacities of International Financial Institutions to Support Trade Liberalisation in Low-Income and Vulnerable Countries'. A number expressed concern about the 'asymmetry' of the global trading system, suggesting that multilateral organisations had not paid enough attention to how liberalisation has widened the gap between countries due to an imbalance in benefits from trade and economic development.
"Participants also noted the increasing challenges many developing country governments face in formulating their own policies due to the growing influence of international financial institutions and certain constraints of the multilateral trading system," said Rudo Chitiga, Deputy Director of the Commonwealth Foundation.
"They advocated a greater role for national stakeholders, including the private sector, trade unions, small and medium-sized enterprises and civil society organisations in formulating national trade and investment policies."
The meeting also discussed how the Commonwealth could enhance civil society monitoring of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. The meeting's recommendations will be part of the official documentation for the 2004 CFMM
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