The Hemispheric Social Alliance (Alianza Social Continental) and the Bolivian Movement for the Sovereignty, Integration and Solidarity of the Peoples (Movimiento Boliviano por la Soberanía e Integración Solidaria de los Pueblos) are organizing the Social Summit for the Integration of the Peoples, which will occur in parallel to the meeting of Presidents of the South American Community of Nations (Comunidad Sudamericana de Naciones), scheduled for the second week of December 2006 in Santa Cruz, Bolivia.

The objectives of the Social Summit for the Integration of the Peoples are to:

– Analyze and reflect on existing proposals and processes of integration in the American continent (including CAN, MERCOSUR, ALADI, Comunidad Sudamericana de Naciones, ALBA, TCPs) in the context of continental resistance to free trade agreements (FTAs).

– Deepen the process of constructing alternative proposals for an integration based on solidarity, justice and complementarity between nations and which serves the necessities and interests of the peoples in all their diversity, including gender.

–  Influence the meeting of the Presidents of the Comunidad Sudamericana de Naciones with concrete proposals around integration in themes such as migration, energy, trade and investments, water, health, employment, biodiversity, agriculture, infrastructure, public investments, security, and others which are on the agenda of various processes of integration.

All social movements, organizations and networks that submit proposals for events by August 30^th 2006 will be able to participate in the organization of workshops during the Social Summit for the Integration of the Peoples. Proposals should include a) a clear title that specifies the theme of the event, b) a brief description of the object of the proposed workshop, and c) a description of the organization responsible.

With the intention of making the Social Summit for the Integration of the Peoples a high moment in the discussion on alternatives and integration, we consider it fundamental that the different networks and articulations involved in specific theme areas hold meetings in advance to move forward the formulation of their specific proposals and effective strategies as much as possible.

The Social Summit for the Integration of the Peoples will occur over three days, and its exact dates will need to coincide with the finalized dates of the meeting of the Presidents of the Comunidad Sudamericana de Naciones. In the course of the next few weeks, a webpage and electronic list will be created to promote the debate and reflection and to collect the contributions of movements and civil society to this process.

Neither FTAA nor FTAs
Another Integration is Possible

Contact information:

Hemispheric Social Alliance: secr.asc cut.org.br

Bolivian Movement for the Sovereignty, Integration and Solidarity of the Peoples:
boliviasoberanaysolidaria yahoo.com