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Final Report of the International Conference on Racism and Globalization Held in 2008
The Conference Unanimously Adopted the Declaration Below on Globalization

ATLANTA....In June 2008 organizations and individuals came together in Chicago at a conference organized by Agriculture Missions and the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund to discuss the pressing issue of globalization and its disturbing impact on communities of color throughout the world. In December 2008 a Final Report from the conference was issued that also included the "Declaration" below that was unanimously adopted by those attending. Please click here for the Final Report from this important and historic gathering.

DECLARATION
(From the International Conference on Racism and Globalization - 2008)

Whereas, Agricultural Missions and the Federation of Southern Cooperatives sponsored a conference held June 27 - June 29, 2008 which brought together 113 people from various communities, organizations and institutions from 20 countries around the world to discuss racism and globalization; and whereas "globalization" means different things to different people and has disparate impact on all people, depending upon their class status, gender, culture and geographic location; and whereas after careful deliberation and discussions, having engaged in active dialogue with all participants, and having considered many aspects of the processes of globalization and its negative impacts upon people of color in countries throughout the world; and whereas we recognize the issue of globalization as a process of growth, economic expansion and concentration of wealth and power by a small group of heavily financed transnational corporations which impact many aspects of the lives of people of color in our different locations throughout the globe; and whereas we have established that people of color are disproportionately vulnerable and negatively affected by the policies and practices of globalization; and whereas through the sharing of stories and experiences, we understand the connections between our struggles everywhere and the ultimate cost people pay on a daily basis to fight for self-determination and human dignity.

Now, therefore, be it resolved that we commit to develop a common agenda for defining globalization in a way that preserves the environment, respects and protects cultures and otherwise benefit peoples of color. In addition, we commit to educate and deliberately disseminate information utilizing both formal and informal methods to project and explain solutions in order to build a movement to correct the inequities of globalization. We further commit to develop an action network to do the following to address the problems associated with racism and globalization:

1. To participate and organize resistance to the institutions, structures and policies that result in the negative impacts of globalization.
   
2. To form a cadre of young people of color from the U.S. to join their peers from around the world as well as in regional and local movements to confront international financial institutions and other entities that negatively impact people of color.
   
3. To coordinate future conferences, cultural and ethnic exchanges, intergenerational interaction, activities and relationships.
   
4. To fully utilize technology and media in all aspects of implementation.
   
5. To take personal responsibility by making personal choices and decisions in our lives that do not perpetuate the negative impacts of globalization.

Now, therefore, be it further resolved, that we will continue to network and organize locally, nationally and across borders to increase the awareness of the interconnectedness of racism and globalization and their negative impacts on the lives of people of color.

Unanimously Adopted
June 29, 2008

* “People of Color” is defined as people of non-Caucasian descent.