PHM-Exch> Fwd: COVID Bulletin 06: Transform the system

Wed Oct 7 21:45:56 PDT 2020

---------- Forwarded message ---------

*From: *Focus on the Global South <info at focusweb.org>
*Subject: **COVID Bulletin 06: Transform the system*
*Date: *8 October AD 2020 09:17:58 GMT+5:30
*To: * <s.guttal at focusweb.org>
*Reply-To: *Focus on the Global South <info at focusweb.org>

View this email in your browser
<https://mailchi.mp/95c403447f50/covid-bulletin-06-transform-the-system?e=817d5b9fb3>
COVID Bulletin 06: Transform the system

October 8, 2020

The disruption unleashed by the pandemic is far from over; broken regional
and global supply chains are yet to be fixed, and new jobs are elusive as
the global economy continues to stumble. The big question is whether these
vulnerabilities, laid bare by COVID-19, might enable strategic economic
transformations?

Walden Bello highlights three areas
<https://focusweb.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=27684a7b810781b8c99f577fd&id=eeb6b8c653&e=817d5b9fb3>
 where such a transformation could take place. By breaking the reliance on
global supply chains, countries could relocalize both industrial and
agricultural production. Secondly, he argues that countries such as the
Philippines need to urgently create domestic employment opportunities by
making local wages more attractive. This will reduce the need for people to
work abroad. The third challenge is to take advantage of the pandemic to
push economies toward a radical reduction in carbon emissions, with the
onus being on developed countries respecting global justice and equity.

In these dark times, we can draw strength, inspiration, and hope from the
reignited grassroots solidarities, defiant mobilizations, valiant
resistances, and peoples’ alternatives for a more just, democratic,
egalitarian, and peaceful world. Galileo de Guzman Castillo, Joseph
Purugganan, and Bianca Martinez write about the robust mobilizations by
popular movements
<https://focusweb.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=27684a7b810781b8c99f577fd&id=9325777f65&e=817d5b9fb3>
 in the Philippines in the past months, despite a stringent militarized
lockdown.

India’s peasant movements have also erupted in protests and called for mass
civil disobedience in opposition to the abrupt passing of three new laws
that deregulate agricultural markets, enabling corporate concentration at
the cost of remunerative prices for small peasants. Focus joined a People’s
Parliament convened by civil society, which articulated an alternative
agenda for India’s crisis-ridden agriculture sector. Focus also released
two short explainer videos covering these issues. The first video
<https://focusweb.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=27684a7b810781b8c99f577fd&id=a90cf76399&e=817d5b9fb3>
 summarizes the demands of the agriculture session of the People’s
Parliament in late August. The second video
<https://focusweb.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=27684a7b810781b8c99f577fd&id=22622d263a&e=817d5b9fb3>
 explains why millions of Indian farmers have been blocking roads and
railways in response to Prime Minister Modi’s pro-corporate, anti-farmer
reforms.

The Philippines has one of the world’s most advanced laws for protecting
the rights and resources of its indigenous population, but numerous
challenges obstruct the implementation of the law to its full potential. In
a paper presented at Chulalongkorn University on September 18, Walden Bello
offers six ways in which this progressive law has been subverted by elite
interests
<https://focusweb.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=27684a7b810781b8c99f577fd&id=330c75ccfe&e=817d5b9fb3>
.

In Cambodia, the economic damage wrought by COVID-19 has exacerbated
existing injustices, such as the country’s notorious record of grabbing
farmers’ land and handing it over to corrupt officials and corporations.
Farmer and land rights activist Oum Samorl describes in exasperating detail
the process of trying to recover her family’s land
<https://focusweb.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=27684a7b810781b8c99f577fd&id=d55168e254&e=817d5b9fb3>
 from various levels of authority, only to be rebuffed and forced to endure
the pandemic and its hardships with no land, no work, and a growing pile of
debts.

In the past month, three op-eds by Focus staff appeared in the pages of
regional media outlets. Writing for FORSEA,  Walden Bello and Jacob
Goldberg outline 10 steps to avert global financial collapse
<https://focusweb.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=27684a7b810781b8c99f577fd&id=1c9a5c1ca2&e=817d5b9fb3>
 in the wake of COVID. Also for FORSEA, Joseph Purugganan argues for the
withdrawal of the Philippines’ EU trade privileges
<https://focusweb.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=27684a7b810781b8c99f577fd&id=25c62ff5e3&e=817d5b9fb3>
 in response to President Duterte’s ever-worsening human rights record. For
Southeast Asia Globe, Jacob Goldberg reflects on the need for regional
solidarity among Mekong communities
<https://focusweb.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=27684a7b810781b8c99f577fd&id=212ba8a0c8&e=817d5b9fb3>
 affected by environmental destruction, corporate land grabs, and
intimidation of activists.

In solidarity,

*Focus on the Global South*
<https://focusweb.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=27684a7b810781b8c99f577fd&id=0072b3360d&e=817d5b9fb3>
COVID-19, Distorted Development, and Degrowth

COVID-19 provides an opportunity for countries to relocalize both
industrial and agricultural production. This would not only reduce supply
disruptions during emergencies. It would revitalize economies by reviving
local industries and local agriculture and bring back decent jobs that have
been lost to job-displacing and wage-reducing supply chains. Read more
<https://focusweb.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=27684a7b810781b8c99f577fd&id=f41f9215d8&e=817d5b9fb3>
.
<https://focusweb.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=27684a7b810781b8c99f577fd&id=4a8e57d22b&e=817d5b9fb3>
Collective struggle, collective strength

In the midst of darkness besetting our world, let us draw hope from the
reignited grassroots solidarities, and people’s alternatives for a more
just, and peaceful world. Read more
<https://focusweb.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=27684a7b810781b8c99f577fd&id=c13fdc9ba4&e=817d5b9fb3>
.
<https://focusweb.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=27684a7b810781b8c99f577fd&id=2ac529a68b&e=817d5b9fb3>
The subversion of the Philippines’ Indigenous People’s Rights Act
The Philippines is one of the few countries where the tenurial rights of
indigenous people are explicitly protected by law. However, the IPRA has
proven to be a very weak protection on the ground for indigenous
communities who continue to be displaced. Read more
<https://focusweb.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=27684a7b810781b8c99f577fd&id=8ab04f061b&e=817d5b9fb3>
.
<https://focusweb.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=27684a7b810781b8c99f577fd&id=f9abd60ea8&e=817d5b9fb3>
Our disease is landlessness

Cambodian farmer Oum Samorl and her family lost their farm to a corporate
land grab 15 years ago. They have never stopped feeling the loss,
especially during the pandemic. Read more
<https://focusweb.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=27684a7b810781b8c99f577fd&id=c432ad9ee3&e=817d5b9fb3>
.
<https://focusweb.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=27684a7b810781b8c99f577fd&id=90810b9ae0&e=817d5b9fb3>
After COVID: 10 Steps to Avert Global Financial Collapse

In the US and China, volatile stock markets, property bubbles, and
unregulated shadow banking sectors could trigger the next global financial
implosion. The COVID-19 pandemic offers an opportunity for reform. Read more
<https://focusweb.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=27684a7b810781b8c99f577fd&id=ac1da1e583&e=817d5b9fb3>
.
<https://focusweb.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=27684a7b810781b8c99f577fd&id=cd80b8c359&e=817d5b9fb3>
Duterte has forfeited the Philippines’ EU trade privileges

In 2014, Trade Justice Pilipinas supported the Philippines’ pursuit of
favorable trade privileges from the EU, hoping they would deter human
rights abuses. Six years later, that hope has disappeared, and so should
those privileges. Read more
<https://focusweb.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=27684a7b810781b8c99f577fd&id=8e23042ac3&e=817d5b9fb3>
.
<https://focusweb.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=27684a7b810781b8c99f577fd&id=bf8a0f61fd&e=817d5b9fb3>
Pooling resources: Fostering solidarity among Mekong communities

With rural communities along the Mekong living at the mercy of the
geopolitical whims of nations controlling the river's flow and development,
attempts are being made to band these disparate people together to regain
control over their fate. Read more
<https://focusweb.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=27684a7b810781b8c99f577fd&id=9a582cd851&e=817d5b9fb3>
.

<https://focusweb.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=27684a7b810781b8c99f577fd&id=c764bcf391&e=817d5b9fb3>
The Peoples' Parliament adopted resolutions to revoke Modi's anti-farmer
bills and discussed an equitable alternative agenda for Indian agriculture.
<https://focusweb.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=27684a7b810781b8c99f577fd&id=34a1b9cf7a&e=817d5b9fb3>
India’s three new farm bills have resulted in widespread protests across
the country led by farmers and peasant unions. Our latest video explains
why. Watch it here
<https://focusweb.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=27684a7b810781b8c99f577fd&id=99a958fb2f&e=817d5b9fb3>
.
[image: Twitter]
<https://focusweb.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=27684a7b810781b8c99f577fd&id=e7c4b68876&e=817d5b9fb3>
[image: Facebook]
<https://focusweb.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=27684a7b810781b8c99f577fd&id=a40e868290&e=817d5b9fb3>
[image: Website]
<https://focusweb.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=27684a7b810781b8c99f577fd&id=d325a2a901&e=817d5b9fb3>
*Copyright © 2020 Focus on the Global South, All rights reserved.*

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences
<https://focusweb.us5.list-manage.com/profile?u=27684a7b810781b8c99f577fd&id=883252775a&e=817d5b9fb3>
 or unsubscribe from this list
<https://focusweb.us5.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=27684a7b810781b8c99f577fd&id=883252775a&e=817d5b9fb3&c=e0d3db71cc>
.

This email was sent to s.guttal at focusweb.org
*why did I get this?*
<https://focusweb.us5.list-manage.com/about?u=27684a7b810781b8c99f577fd&id=883252775a&e=817d5b9fb3&c=e0d3db71cc>
    unsubscribe from this list
<https://focusweb.us5.list-manage.com/unsubscribe?u=27684a7b810781b8c99f577fd&id=883252775a&e=817d5b9fb3&c=e0d3db71cc>
    update subscription preferences
<https://focusweb.us5.list-manage.com/profile?u=27684a7b810781b8c99f577fd&id=883252775a&e=817d5b9fb3>

Focus on the Global South · 4th Floor Wisit Prachuabmoh Building,
Chulalongkorn University · Phayathai Road · Bangkok, 10 10330 · Thailand

[image: Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp]
<http://www.mailchimp.com/email-referral/?utm_source=freemium_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=referral_marketing&aid=27684a7b810781b8c99f577fd&afl=1>

Shalmali Guttal
Executive Director
Focus on the Global South
CUSRI: 4th Floor Wisit Prachuabmoh Building
Chulalongkorn University
Phayathai Road
Bangkok 10330
THAILAND
Tel: +66 22187363-64
Fax: (+66-2) 255 9976
www.focusweb.org

Would you like to help us?

-- 
Website: https://phmovement.org
Twitter: @PHMglobal
Facebook: @peopleshealthmovement
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://phm.phmovement.org/pipermail/phm-exchange-phmovement.org/attachments/20201008/36859586/attachment-0001.html>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: PastedGraphic-7.tiff
Type: image/tiff
Size: 199430 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://phm.phmovement.org/pipermail/phm-exchange-phmovement.org/attachments/20201008/36859586/attachment-0001.tiff>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: pixel.gif
Type: image/gif
Size: 43 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://phm.phmovement.org/pipermail/phm-exchange-phmovement.org/attachments/20201008/36859586/attachment-0001.gif>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: FaceBook_32x32.png
Type: image/png
Size: 1699 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://phm.phmovement.org/pipermail/phm-exchange-phmovement.org/attachments/20201008/36859586/attachment-0003.png>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: Twitter_32x32.png
Type: image/png
Size: 1941 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://phm.phmovement.org/pipermail/phm-exchange-phmovement.org/attachments/20201008/36859586/attachment-0004.png>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: logofocussmall.png
Type: image/png
Size: 7946 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://phm.phmovement.org/pipermail/phm-exchange-phmovement.org/attachments/20201008/36859586/attachment-0005.png>