Explore issues behind ADB protest
By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Staff Writer
As the Asian Development Bank's annual meeting moves into high gear at the Hawai'i Convention Center this week, another series of "alternative events" is also under way, exploring issues that have prompted protests of the bank's policies.
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser
Joshua Cooper is one of the coordinators for ADBwatch, an umbrella group of activists, advocates and academics working to call attention to some of the problems associated with globalization in the Asia-Pacific region.
A state travel promotion exhibit is at the center of the pavilion.
The group sponsored nonviolent training sessions for protesters, brought in speakers on the issues and is sponsoring a march and rally on Wednesday. "We're for people globalization, for people coming together," Cooper said.
Most of the ADBwatch members oppose policies that favor multinational corporations over the people who live in the communities affected by the push for embracing a money-making economy. "It's profits before people," Cooper said.
Sponsors invite anyone who wants to learn more about the issues to join the march and rally Wednesday. "It's going to be a great festival of resistance and celebration of diversity."
He said that the rally will include food, music, booths with information; "everyone coming together to talk about what kind of world we want."
Today
• 7 p.m. The International Forum on Globalization, "teach-in on globalization and the Asian Development Bank," featuring: Walden Bello, Anuradha Mittal, Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, Victor Menotti and Maude Barlow at United First Methodist Church, Beretania at Victoria Street.
Tomorrow
• 8 a.m. to noon, panel discussion in debate format with globalization experts, members of affected communities and ADB staff at University of Hawai'i-Manoa Campus Center Room 306. Sponsored by the University of Hawai'i-Manoa Center for Globalization Research, Ethnic Studies and Political Science. Repeats Thursday.
• 7:30 p.m. "Voices From the People." Hear from people who are being affected by ADB projects and economic globalization. Sponsored by several international advocacy and research organizations and ADBwatch. Repeats Thursday.
Wednesday
• Noon to 9 p.m. March from Ala Moana Park to the Hawai'i Convention Center and then on to Kapi'olani Park for a rally from 3 to 9 p.m. to include speakers, food and music.
Thursday
• 8 a.m. to noon, panel discussion in debate format with globalization experts, members of affected communities and ADB staff at University of Hawai'i-Manoa Campus Center Room 306. Sponsored by the University of Hawai'i-Manoa Center for Globalization Research, Ethnic Studies and Political Science.
Friday
• 7:30 p.m. "The role of the military in globalization." A seminar with speakers and activists sponsored by Revolution Books, American Friends Service Committee and ADBwatch in the UH Art Auditorium.
ADBwatch can be reached by phone at 955-6161 or on the Web at www.hawaii.indymedia.org.
