PRESS RELEASE

Latin American Solidarity Committee (LAC)

Tuesday 3rd November 7.30 – 10pm

UNASUR and ALBA – What Are They?

Latin American Embassies Explain

On Tuesday 3 November 2009 LAC is pleased to host a public panel discussion on UNASUR and ALBA, to better inform the New Zealand public about these important Latin American initiatives seeking alternatives to the free market neoliberal model imposed by their northern neighbours.

UNASUR, (the Union of South American Nations) is an organisation of 12 South American countries modeled on the European Union, seeking to develop a common currency, parliament, and passport. UNASUR has integrated the two existing customs unions of Mercosur and the Andean Community of Nations. Other initiatives are the creation of a single market, infrastructure and energy co-operation, the creation of the Bank of the South, and the creation of the South American Defence Council to serve as a mechanism for regional security.

ALBA (the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America) seeks social, political, and economic integration between the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. Unlike free trade agreements, ALBA represents an attempt at regional economic integration that is not based primarily on trade liberalisation but on a vision of social welfare, bartering and mutual economic aid. ALBA’s nine member nations are in the process of introducing a new regional currency, the SUCRE. Some ALBA members are also members of UNASUR.

Five panellists from local embassies of member countries of UNASUR and ALBA have been invited to cover the following topics:

1) History and principles of UNASUR, (Argentina)

2) UNASUR and the Latin American economy, (Brazil)

3) UNASUR and Latin American security, (Chile - confirmed)

4) History and principles of ALBA, (Venezuela - confirmed) and

5) ALBA, current economic and security issues, and the Relationship between ALBA and UNASUR. (Cuba - confirmed)

Presentations by the panellists will be followed by questions from the audience.

We expect many Wellingtonians will be interested in some of the alternatives to free market neoliberalism being pursued on this continent, the difficulties they have encountered, and their hopes and expectations for the future.  

We hope you will also bring questions and thoughts on possibilities and potential for New Zealand interaction with these organisations, for our mutual benefit.

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