Origin of the Proposal
Region 6.

Statement of Resolution
As members of LCWR, we oppose the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas because of its inevitable negative impact on people who are poor, and on the environment. 

Background
The FTAA is a proposed hemisphere-wide agreement (excluding Cuba) being negotiated largely in secret by governments and business leaders of the U.S., Central and South America. The FTAA is modeled on the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement between Mexico, the U.S. and Canada. The observed negative impacts of NAFTA on the poor raise serious ethical, political and economic questions about the FTAA agreement planned for Central and South America. 

Rationale
- The FTAA could result in the privatization and control of many services, such as education, water systems, social services and postal services. Such control exerted by transnational corporations would reduce access for the people most deprived and impoverished, and would reduce wages and jobs in the service sector. 
- Under FTAA, corporations would have free access to locate in these countries, ignoring environmental standards, standards for just wages and decent working conditions. In addition, corporations would not be accountable to workers and could relocate for economic gain to countries outside the hemisphere.
- Under FTAA, peasant farmers would not be justly compensated for their crops, and not able to compete with imported, subsidized crops from agribusiness corporations. Many of these farmers seeking a livelihood would be forced to migrate to urban areas of their own countries or immigrate to the U.S. or Canada, often illegally. 
- Opposition to the FTAA resonates with the charisms and missions of many of the LCWR congregations which focus on concern for the poor and care of creation.

Recommended Actions
- Seek information on the FTAA by going to the website: (www.witnessforpeace.org).
- Voice opposition to the FTAA by signing the People's Consultation Ballot. These ballots will be presented to the Trade Ministers of 34 nations who will be meeting in Miami, FL November 17-21, 2003, to continue negotiating the agreement. See website above to download a ballot.
- Send or FAX letters to Representatives and Senators voicing concerns about the harmful effects of the Free Trade Area of the Americas, especially on the countries of Central America and South America.
- Participate in a protest in Miami, FL on November 19-21, 2003 to personally voice opposition to the FTAA to the Trade Ministers who will be there negotiating the agreement.

Contact Person: Linda Scheckelhoff, OSF, Tiffin, OH, (419) 447-0435 Ex. 162, lscheckelhoff@tiffinfranciscans.org
 

The Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) has approximately 1,000 members who are the elected leaders of their religious orders, representing 76,000 Catholic sisters in the United States. The Conference develops leadership, promotes collaboration within church and society, and serves as a voice for systemic change.