Peoples' Global Action (PGA) is a network for spreading information and coordinating actions between grassroots movements around the world. These diverse groups share the same opposition to capitalism, and committment to direct action and civil disobedience as the most effective form of struggle. PGA grew out of the international Zapatista gatherings in 1996 and 1997, and was formed as a space for direct and unmediated contact between autonomous groups.
The first conference took place in 1998, when movements from all continents met in Geneva and launched a worldwide coordination of resistance against the global market economy and the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Later that year, hundreds of coordinated demonstrations, actions and street parties took place on all five continents, against the meeting of the G8 and the WTO ministerial meeting. From Seattle to Genoa, many of the groups and movements involved with PGA have been a driving force behind the global anti-capitalist mobilisations.
A second international conference took place in Bangalore, India in 1999 and the third in Cochabamba, Bolivia 2001. There have been regional conferences in Latin America, North America, Asia and Europe, and three caravans of movements: the Intercontinental caravan, the Colombian Black Communities tour and the Peoples' caravan from Cochabamba to Colombia.
PGA is not an organisation and has no members. However PGA aims to be an organised network. There are contact points for each region, who are responsible for disseminating information and convening the international and regional conferences; an informal support group that helps with fundraising; a website, numerous email lists; and a secretariat.
The basis of unity and political analysis is expressed in the constantly evolving manifesto and hallmarks. See www.agp.org for more background on PGA, its organisational principles and the manifesto in full.
Hallmarks
A very clear rejection of capitalism, imperialism and feudalism, and all trade agreements, institutions and governments that promote destructive globalisation.
We reject all forms and systems of domination and discrimination including, but not limited to, patriarchy, racism and religious fundamentalism of all creeds. We embrace the full dignity of all human beings.
A confrontational attitude, since we do not think that lobbying can have a major impact in such biased and undemocratic organisations, in which transnational capital is the only real policy-maker.
A call to direct action and civil disobedience, support for social movements' struggles, advocating forms of resistance which maximise respect for life and oppressed people's rights, as well as the construction of local alternatives to global capitalism.
An organisational philosophy based on decentralisation and autonomy.
WHAT IS AN INFOPOINT?
1. Groups that endorse the PGA hallmarks are called upon to take on work as European PGA 'infopoints' which means they spread information on PGA in their local movement. Infopoints can be physical spaces as well as just (digital) contacts.
2. These groups are not labelled as 'PGA' groups but are already existing groups that want to do PGA activities next to their other activities. The European PGA infopoints can give visibility to the European PGA process without representing it.
3. These infopoints can organise regional meetings inspired by PGA. They can also start autonomous regional initiatives that are according to the hallmarks of PGA, but are not labelled 'PGA'.
4. There is no representative structure from the regional to the European or Global PGA conferences.
5. Infopoints cannot represent PGA Europe, nor are they members of the European PGA, they are autonomous initiatives to spread information.
6. The infopoints can be started autonomously, so consensus for their formation does not have to be reached at the European plenary. Infopoints that violate the hallmarks and principles of PGA will be noticed, and other infopoints and convenors can decide to no longer work with them (i.e. they are no longer part of the process).
At every conference there will be an open meeting of infopoints where groups that want to become infopoint can introduce themselves and get to know the other groups involved.
