The actual results of the now-liberal economic agenda that has been ruthlessly implemented across the planet over the last 20 years under the rubric of ‘globalisation' were examined in detail.
The Congress heard first hand accounts of examples of economic injustice and widespread suffering of workers and peasants. Examples of repression of workers and trade union rights were also exposed time and time again at the Congress.
Through the work of six Commissions (or working parties) problems and solutions were documented. These findings were then streamlined into a final action program that Congress participants committed to go away and strive to implement.
What the SIGTUR process lacks in polish and finesse its makes up for in the passion and genuine experiences of struggle that participants understand only too well.
As Australia looks back on its own 2020 Summit where slickness, consensus and the ‘feel good mood' apparently prevailed, its interesting to contrast its form and substance with the SIGTUR process.
While both processes no doubt had strengths and weaknesses one of the two summits certainly had ‘the passion' that only the victims can really understand.
For more information on SIGTUR go to http://www.sigtur.com/
23 April 2008
