"Cancel the debt - and what next"?
At a public round table on the question "Cancel the debt - and what next?" which took place after the press conference, Dr Susan George, associate director of the Transnational Institute (TNI) and president of l’Observatoire de la Mondialisation, identified new issues of concern which go beyond the Jubilee 2000 campaign.

She warned of any extension of the powers of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and proposed a thorough examination of the impact the WTO has had up till now on employment, consumers, the environment, development, human rights and democracy. Referring to the recent decision-making process on the international bananas trade, Dr George described the WTO’s dispute settlement mechanism as being in the process of establishing a profoundly anti-democratic law.

Delegation from Inter-Continental Caravan visits WCC

Earlier that day, the WCC received an Inter-Continental Caravan delegation, including over a hundred farmers coming from India to Geneva to protest at the WTO against the mechanisms of the free-market economy. Welcoming the delegation, the WCC general secretary underlined WCC’s "longstanding commitment to work with people as they define for themselves the priorities for development."

"In our own efforts... to come to terms with the dynamics of globalization, we are convinced that it is not enough merely to confront the major actors but [we need], in addition, to search for just and sustainable alternatives," said Raiser. "By building links with other partners in Europe, including international organizations like ourselves, and by coming to the headquarters of the corporations affecting the basis of your livelihood, you have contributed to the development of a new dynamic - globalization from the grass roots," he added.