What is the Pacific Network on Globalisation?

Mission Statement
PANG is a pacific regional network promoting economic justice in globalisation with specific attention to:
1)    Accountability and transparency in economic and trade policy processes
2)    Poverty eradication
3)    Equitable development and sustainable livelihoods (opportunity, access, impact)
4)    Food security and environmental sustainability

The PANG regional network comprises Pacific Civil Society Organisations, workers' organisations, educators, students, and fair trade campaigners

Focus Areas
•    Multi- and bilateral trade negotiations and agreements with specific attention to goods, services and investment and other issues of critical importance to the
     Pacific.
•    Development and promotion of Pacific regional and national alternatives to neo-liberal thinking, frameworks and policies.
•    Growth pillar of the Pacific Plan.
•    Ethical and social responsibility of investments in the Pacific.
•    Economic and development policies and practices of institutions that impact on the Pacific region.
•    Organisational development and sustainability of PANG.


History
The Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG) emerged from a regional conference on globalisation, trade, investment and debt held in Fiji in May 2001. Organisations, community and church groups present at the conference pointed out the lack of understanding of free trade and globalisation, and especially of the various impacts on the communities of the small vulnerable economies of the Pacific. There were concerns about the lack of public information, and a desire to promote informed discussion and debate on free trade and globalisation. The conference pointed out the need for an independent regional medium through which awareness could be raised and the truth about economic globalisation told.

PANG has been one of the most outspoken Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the Pacific on free trade, economic reform policies, regional policy-making processes, and the agendas of multilateral and bilateral donors.  On some issues, it has been the only voice. PANG has assumed an important watchdog role and has been looked to by other CSOs for leadership in taking on regional governments and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat on economic and trade issues.

PANG has been involved in advocacy, networking, and disseminating information on globalisation and trade. Information has been sent out on a variety of issues. For example, PANG sent out information on the GATS position of the European Union (EU) and its impact on the Pacific, the struggle of the Kananam people of PNG against impact of tuna operators, the struggle of women working in fish factories in Fiji, the dangers of genetically modified food, progress on the pacific free trade area agreements, the growth of rural poverty, and articles and information on globalisation and its impacts on the Pacific in general. This has generated greater awareness and much discussion and debate, not only in Fiji, but also on the region.

PANG’s three year strategy 2007-2009 is focused on trade and globalisation in the Pacific. In particular the Pacific Economic Partnership Agreement as part of the Cotonou Agreement between ACP countries and the EU; and two regional agreements: the Pacific Island Countries’ Trade Agreement (PICTA) and the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER). Our overall aim is to enable Pacific NGOs, communities and government representatives to be able to critically understand trade policies and their impact. We seek to help people make the links between neo-liberal trade policies and the increasing inequality, poverty, widening gap between rich an poor that we are experiencing in the Pacific. We also seek to show how trade agreements undermine national level decision-making processes in other policy areas through “fast-track” processes that work via cabinet rather than at parliamentary level. We are a voice that argues neo-liberal policies are not sustainable nor development oriented, rather, they further engender social inequality and economic hardship in the lives of Pacific people.

Staff

PANG CoordinatorCoordinator  
Roshni Sami joined PANG in January 2007. She has a background in student activism and the feminist movement both in New Zealand and Fiji. Roshni completed her Masters degree in Development Studies at the University of Auckland in 2006.

IEC Officer - Wes MorganInformation, Education Communication Officer
(IEC Officer)
Wesley Morgan joined PANG in September 2007.  Wesley has a background as a working journalist for the Darwin Sun in Australia.  Wesley completed an honours thesis in 2004 which focussed on Australia's aid program to the South Pacific.  Wesley has lived and worked in Fiji since June 2006.

Admin Officer Rachana KumariAdministration and Accounts Officer
Rachana Kumari joined PANG in February 2007. Rachana has worked on projects in Save the Children, and Fem’LINK, she is currently part of the Fiji Women’s Rights Movement Emerging Leaders Forum (ELF) Programme.

Trade Policy Analyst
PANG is looking at taking on a Trade Policy Analyst in 2008.


PANG Annual Reports
PANG is committed to open and transparent use of resources. Please click here to see PANG's annual reports since 2003.

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