Trade, Environment and Sustainable Development

　

Holding a series of workshops/seminars, and publishing books and newletters in order to enhance public understanding on the current discussions of trade & investment liberalization, particularly inits impacts on people's livelihood and the environment both in the South and the North. Special attention is paid on the structural analyses of the on-going discussions and policy-makings at national and international trade institutions and on our alternative proposals. Current focus of the work is on WTO review of Agricultural Agreement scheduled for 1999-2000, Multilateral Agreement on Investment currently negotiated at the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), and also on regional trade blocs such as Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

　

　

 Events

　

"Creating Our Own Lifestyle And Re-Constructing Agriculture and Food System"

- Do Not Let WTO Get In Our Ways --

　

		Date & Time:   February 15 1998, 11:00〜18:00

		Venue: Edo   Tokyo Museum, Tokyo, Japan

		Admission:  1000 yen ( 700 yen for 2001member)

		English interpretation provided.



The overall purpose of the two year program is to create a social climate in Japan in favor of agricultural and 

food policies which promote sustainable agriculture recognizing active role played by the rural communities.  

A small group of people comprised of PF2001 and some of the leaders of farmer's and consumer's 

movements, as well as some sympathetic scholars is involved in the preparatory discussion.  

　

The symposium is planned to provide a discussion point for interested citizens, activists, and researchers to 

freely exchange ideas on future actions that would be implemented respectively in a manner so as to form a loosely 

networked collaboration. It is very important, therefore, to identify the core problem of current international 

trade regime and following national policy changes, and the driving force behind them to identify a common platform 

of respective actions taken by farmers, consumers, NGOs and academic circle.

　

The target of the symposium is mainly Japanese citizen and we are inviting two resource persons form other countries.  

One from the United States and the other from the Philippines.  We are hoping that the guests would share the 

knowledge and analysis on US agricultural policy and the involvement of the US agri-business in the policy making 

process, as well as  to share his experience in Filippino farmers movement and the current state of the Philippine 

agriculture and agricultural policies.

　

 Program

　

11:00-13:00 Session 1	"The Situation around World Agriculture and Food"

Opening Remark	Kazuoki OHNO,  Asian Farmers Exchange Center ,Tomoko 

SAKUMA,  People's Forum 2001, Japan 

Keynote Speech	Bill Christson,  National Family Farm Coalition (USA), Omi 

ROYANDOYAN,  Philippine Peasant Institute (Philippines)

　

14:00-16:00 Session 2	"Re-Constructing Agriculture and Food System"

	(1)	To Change Our Daily Life"

Speakers: Masaru SAKAMOTO, Farmer in Gumma Pref., Setsuko TAKABE,  Global 

Citizen Food Club, Kokichi ITO, Sanchoku Producers' Council

　

	(2)"Do Not Let WTO Get In Our Ways"

Speakers: Yoichi TASHIRO,  Yokohama National University, Yoko TOMIYAMA,  

Consumer Union of Japan

　

16:00-18:00 Session 3	Discussion

	(1) How can we effectively network our activities?, (2) How can we extend 

our efforts and raise public awareness?