New Global Contract Needed to Re-Assert Basic Rights, Protect Environment

IATP

The three papers are part of IATPs ?New Global Contract series that highlights how rules set at global institutions like the World Trade Organization, World Bank and the International Monetary Fund conflict with other basic human, economic, cultural and environmental rights, and how a new system is needed to tackle todays key challenges. A fairer, more sustainable food and agriculture system must be a central component in building alternatives.

?A Framework for Rebalancing Global Norms, by John Foster, analyzes the role of global trade and financial institutions in undermining human rights, and identifies strategies for global organizing in support of a new system. The current world climate and fuel, food and financial crises demonstrate the need for stronger global governance through the United Nations, and to prioritize human rights and environmental agreements over commercial law and the WTO, if humankind is to survive, said Foster.

?Values in Conflict: How Trade and Finance Rules Curtail Our Rights, by Andre du Plessis, maps out where global trade and finance systems directly conflict with the environment, human rights, public health and food and agriculture.

?Promoting Human Rights and the Environment in Trade and Finance Rules, by Maria Julia Oliva, identifies successful strategies by civil society groups to challenge unfair multilateral rules. It includes a list of successful case studies.

These publications are the first in a series of initiatives by IATP to develop positive alternatives for global governance in support of a new vision for food and agriculture.

All three publications can be found at: www.iatp.org.

IATP works locally and globally at the intersection of policy and practice to ensure fair and sustainable food, farm and trade systems.