The constant gardener
International Forum on Globalization (IFG)
Anna Lanoszka,
University of Windsor
Mary Pardi,
University of Windsor
The International Forum on Globalization (IFG) first met in January 1994 in San Francisco. After the passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the end of the Uruguay Round, antiglobalization groups and leaders needed to reorganize. The IFG first functioned as a think tank of approximately thirty people. It was made up of scholars, economists, and researchers who wanted to formulate a new and innovative response to the problems associated with economic globalization. Today, its associates represent more than sixty organizations in twenty-five nations.
The Forum gives the members a chance to re-articulate and re-strategize in a process that stresses "co-education and collaboration." The goal of the IFG is "to expose the multiple effects of economic globalization" and to reverse the process by sustaining more local initiatives. To accomplish this, the IFG has published studies and supported teach-ins. For example, the IFG took a leadership role in the antiglobalization movement during the WTO meeting in Seattle. It held some very successful teach-ins led by distinguished scholars and organizers from around the world. Some of the teach-ins were completely sold out. The organization has also published reports, examining the effects of globalization on the developing world and revealing corporate benefits from World Trade Organization (WTO) policies. In addition, the IFG has initiated a number of programs related to food and agriculture, the environment, and indigenous peoples. The Forum is a prime example of an organization that has taken an active, international role in the global movement against economic globalization and the WTO, offering viable transitions towards localization and autonomy.
Suggested Readings:
International Forum on Globalization website.
www.ifg.org (Accessed 20 April 2005).
Thomas, Janet. 2000.
The battle in Seattle: The story behind and beyond the WTO demonstrations. Golden, CO:
Fulcrum Publishing.