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Global Week of Action
April 10-16, 2005
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What is the Global Week of Action?
It is a week ~ April 10-16, 2005 ~ when
individuals, churches, movements and
campaigns that care about justice
in world trade take action in their own
localities to produce a global impact. It
is a chance to participate in the biggest
mobilization against poverty ever.
What is the message of the Global
Week of Action?
 NO to the rich and powerful
imposing unjust trade agreements on
the poor.
YES to food sovereignty and
everyone's right to a livelihood,
water, health and education.
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The earth belongs not to the rich
It is not from your own possessions that
you are bestowing alms on the poor, you
are but restoring to them what is theirs
by right. For what was given to everyone
for the use of all, you have taken for your
exclusive use. The earth belongs not to
the rich, but to everyone. Thus, far from
giving lavishly, you are but paying part
of your debt.
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–St Ambrose (340-397)
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Food sovereignty emphasizes the right of each nation to protect and regulate domestic agricultural production and trade to achieve sustainability, guarantee a livelihood for farmers, and assure its citizens are fed. Food sovereignty does not negate trade; it promotes the formulation of trade policies and practices that serve the rights of peoples to safe, healthy and ecologically sustainable production. People in the global South consider food sovereignty to be a matter of national and local security.
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Learn more about the Global Week of Action.
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Why should Catholics participate in the Global Week of Action?
The U.S. Bishops address trade and development issues in their Catholic Reflections on Food, Farmers and Farmworkers: "For I was Hungry & You Gave Me Food" (Jan. 2004). In the section on "A Catholic Agenda for Action," the bishops stated the following for international trade, aid and development:
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Catholic teaching requires us to pay special attention to our brothers and sisters
who are suffering in extreme poverty around the world, many of whom live in
rural areas. We seek measures that address the needs and interests of small farm
owners and farmworkers, both within the United States and overseas. Our goal
should be to minimize harm to farmers caused by international trade policies. We
should assess all trade agreements … for their impact on farmers and farmworkers.
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Catholic teaching requires us to pay special attention to our brothers and sisters who are suffering in extreme poverty around the world, many of whom live in rural areas. We seek measures that address the needs and interests of small farm owners and farmworkers, both within the United States and overseas. Our goal should be to minimize harm to farmers caused by international trade policies. We should assess all trade agreements … for their impact on farmers and farmworkers.
What can you do? Some action ideas:
Fast for a meal or a day. Get others to join you. Many people around the world plan to do this April 11. Catholic Relief Service’s Food Fast Program would be a good guide for a group activity. Visit www.foodfast.org/index_content.html.
Hold a church service. Catholic social teaching offers important values and principles for assessing policies and programs related to agriculture and trade. A church service could highlight these principles: protecting human life (right to food); option for the poor and vulnerable; dignity of work (farmworkers and farmers); solidarity; and respect for creation. (Consider the worship guide written by the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance: www.e-alliance.ch/media/media-5270.pdf)
Take farmers on tour. Ask a sustainable agriculture organization to suggest farmers to travel locally to tell others about the harmful effects of international trade.
Hold a "Fair Trade Fair" with your parish, school, or other organization. Introduce people to high quality, fairly traded products and handcrafts. Visit www.crsfairtrade.org.
Organize an unfair sports event. Pitch unequal teams against each other and rig the rules of the game to demonstrate the injustice of international trade. Pick your sport.
Focus a cultural event or procession on trade. A concert, theatrical performance, or street procession will attract an audience for entertainment and education.
Initiate a petition or postcard campaign in support of fair trade. Send the petition and postcards to decision-makers who are determining the international trade rules. For the United States, this would be the White House, the U.S. Trade Representative and members of Congress. Refer to the sample petition below.
[sample petition]
Trade for people, not people for trade.
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