Commission on Globalization: Multi-Stakeholder Dialogues

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Multi-Stakeholder Dialogues (MSDs)

The second deliverable of the Commission will be to establish a mechanism for ongoing dialogue and deliberation between the various stakeholders involved in the globalization process. Respected representatives and spokespersons, drawn from a broad spectrum of constituencies and interests, will be invited to meet on a regular basis to exchange views, discuss critical issues of mutual concern, and debate the merits of specific proposals emanating from the Policy Action Groups. They will assemble in an atmosphere of candor and respect that, over time, will foster learning, trust, and a greater possibility for collaboration.

The MSD Process: The Commission has already begun to conduct a series of regional meetings featuring multi-stakeholder dialogues involving Co-Chairs, Commissioners and key regional actors.

Washington, DC
On Monday, April 23rd, in Washington, D.C., a meeting of about 50 individuals drawn from civil society, the World Bank and the United Nations was convened at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies to discuss the Commission on Globalization. The intent of the meeting was to solicit feedback and suggestions on how the Commission can best contribute to bridging the divide between the many voices in the globalization debate, and to proceed with establishing a common agenda that will foster a constructive spirit of dialogue and inquiry. Co-Chair Mikhail Gorbachev addressed the meeting along with John Sweeney, President of the AFL-CIO, and Co-Chair Lori Wallach, Director of Public Citizen Trade Watch.

Rio de Janeiro
This Brazilian event was convened on August 23rd at the premiere think tank, the Vargas Institute, and drew over 50 representatives from the various sectors to discuss an increasing role for civil society in the globalization debate. The event also emphasized regional issues relevant to the Commission's mandate and included leaders involved in the World Social Forum first held in January 2001 in Porto Alegre. It was co-organized locally by Commissioner, Thais Corral, Vice President, Women's Environment and Development Organization.

Budapest
The third Community Building event of 2001 will be convened in Budapest, Hungary on October 17-19. This meeting will coincide with a larger conference on globalization being co-organized by the Central European University and the Warwick University. Several Co-Chairs and Commissioners will be invited to attend the larger event, thereby allowing them to participate as discussants in the Community Building meeting.

Manila
The final event will be convened in the Philippines in November and will provide an opportunity to work in a region where the will of civil society has been exerted with significant political impact. The theme of this meeting will be a critical analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of civil society in that region with recommendations on how to nurture its further development.

The primary goal of the MSD work is to build an environment of confidence and trust in which a truly diverse community of individuals can move from debate to dialogue and from dialogue to deliberation and collaborative action. The MSD process provides a mechanism for: 1) including new, more diverse voices in the dialogue on globalization; 2) extending the fact-finding process and broadening the perspectives being considered by the Commissioners; and 3) further democratizing the Commission process and the overall global dialogue on globalization. By utilizing the Internet to solicit public comment and to encourage public discussion and deliberation, the Commission seeks to underscore its commitment to transparency, democratic dialogue, and collaborative decision-making.