» Discussions on options for the Global South
The global economic crisis has given further impetus to the discussions on options for the Global South. One of these includes South-South trade. While sounding like a viable and sustainable alternative, it does not adequately challenge the dominant models of trade, nor is it a real break with neoliberalism. At the recently concluded WSF, (held in Belem, Brazil from Jan 27 to Feb 1, 2009), Latin American social movements held a dialogue with the leaders of four progressive South American governments on South-South integration from a peoples' perspective..

Developing countries turn to South-South trade
Reuters | February 8, 2009
Developing countries hoping to compensate for slumping demand in rich countries and falling commodity prices are looking at ways to bolster one of the most dynamic parts of their economies — South-South trade.

The Coming Capitalist Consensus
Foreign Policy in Focus | December 24, 2008
The sense that the old neoliberal formulas are thoroughly discredited have convinced many that the new Democratic leadership in the world's biggest economy will break with the market fundamentalist policies that have reigned since the early 1980s. One important question is how decisive and definitive the break with neoliberalism will be. Will government ownership, intervention, and control be exercised simply to stabilize capitalism, after which control will be given back to the corporate elites? Will we witness the beginnings of fundamental shifts in the ownership and control of the economy in a more popular direction?

Social movements meet with presidents
ALAI | January 30, 2009
At the World Social Forum taking place in Belem, Brasil, Latin American social movements held a dialogue on regional integration from a peoples' perspective, with the leaders of four South American progressive governments. Presidents Hugo Chavez (Venezuela), Fernando Lugo (Paraguay), Evo Morales (Bolivia) and Rafael Correa (Ecuador), met with 1500 representatives of social movements to discuss past and future collaboration around integration initiatives such as the Bolivarian Alternative of the Americas (ALBA) as solutions to the global economic crisis.