For immediate release: 10 March 2003

Day of Action against globalization

On March 13, towns up and down the country and around the world are invited to participate in an International Day of Action to oppose the takeover of community services by global corporations, Director Leigh Cookson of ARENA (Action, Research and Education Network of Aotearoa) said yesterday in Christchurch.

"Representatives from schools, health centers, and trade unions, will be speaking to the issue in many New Zealand towns. A number of communities will raise the subject through radio talkback shows, and we are asking people to write to their mayors and MPs," Cookson says.

There is a strong risk that the Government may trade off control over New Zealand services under the GATS (General Agreement on Trade in Services) to strengthen its position in negotiations on agriculture.

The immediate concerns are for basic services such as health, education, transport, environment and tourism falling under the control of foreign corporations.

The Day of Action marks the start of an intensive period of activity leading up to 31 March, when the Government is required to confidentially advise the World Trade Organization what new services New Zealand intends to trade off.

An increasing number of people are worried that central or local government will no longer control many essential services and won’t be able to take back control of them when private sector fails to meet people’s needs.

Leigh Cookson says that this affects every town in New Zealand and invites them to set up an organized information point on the GATS. People can find information on the ARENA web site at www.arena.org.nz or write to ARENA, PO Box 2450, Christchurch.

Ends. Text 268 words.