The Hong Kong People’s Alliance on WTO (HKPA; ) is a
grassroots organization that aimed to protest at the
WTO Ministerial Conference of 2005
The Sixth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization, also known as the WTO Hong Kong Ministerial Conference and abbreviated as MC6, was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai, Hong Kong from 13 to 18 Dece ...
which was held in
Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
The Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) is one of the two major convention and exhibition venues in Hong Kong, along with AsiaWorld–Expo. It is located in Wan Chai North, Hong Kong Island. Built along the Victoria Harbou ...
in
Wan Chai North
Wan Chai is situated at the western part of the Wan Chai District on the northern shore of Hong Kong Island, in Hong Kong. Its other boundaries are Canal Road to the east, Arsenal Street to the west and Bowen Road to the south. The area nort ...
on 13–18 December 2005.
Representatives for 148 countries attended and HKPAOWTO aimed to lead over 10000 people in protests.
Background
Launched on 22 September 2004, the HKPA is a network of grass-root organizations which include trade unions, community labour groups and organisations that represent migrant workers, students, women, church, human rights, research organisations and regional organisations that are based locally in Hong Kong.
At present, the HKPA has 31 organisations which include regional groups like
Asian Student Association (ASA)Documentation for Action Groups in Asia (DAGA) Christian Conference of Asia
The Christian Conference of Asia is a regional ecumenical organisation representing 15 National Councils and over 100 denominations (churches) in New Zealand, Australia, Bangladesh, Burma, Cambodia, East Timor, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, ...
: Urban Rural Mission (CCA-URM),
an
Asia Monitor Resource Centre (AMRC)
Local groups are the following
The Neighbourhood and Workers Service CentreThe Pioneer Union of Hong Kong Post Office Employees, Association of Government Technical And Survey Officers, Frontline Welfare Employees Union
Globalization MonitorGlobal Network Government Mod 1 Staff General Union
Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions (HKCTU)Consumers Acting for People & the EnvironmentJustice and Peace Commission of the Hong Kong Catholic DioceseStudent Christian Movement of Hong Kong
There are also member groups of or organizations working on migrant workers, namely
Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM)Asian Migrants Centre Asian Migrants Coordinating Body (AMCB), Coalition for Migrants Right (CMR), Far East Overseas Nepalese Association- Hong Kong (FEONA-HK), Indonesian Migrants Workers Union (IMWU), Philippines Domestic Helpers General Union (PDHGU), and The Hong Kong Indonesian Migrant Workers Organization (KOTKIHO).
Main objectives
#Derail
WTO
The World Trade Organization (WTO) is an intergovernmental organization that regulates and facilitates international trade. With effective cooperation
in the United Nations System, governments use the organization to establish, revise, and e ...
’s attempt to conclude agreements which aim to further liberalise trade and investment
#Pressurise the Hong Kong government to engage the people in its negotiations within the WTO by providing periodic updates, briefings and consultations on contents and agenda of the meeting
#Raise the consciousness of local NGOs on the essence of so-called
free trade
Free trade is a trade policy that does not restrict imports or exports. It can also be understood as the free market idea applied to international trade. In government, free trade is predominantly advocated by political parties that hold econ ...
as campaigned for by the WTO so as to raise local awareness on the unjust distribution of global economic power;
#Promote local anti-privatization campaigns
#Increase awareness of the impact on Chinese working people since China’s accession of the WTO
Action towards WTO during 2005
People's Action Week Programme: 8–18 December
*March/Rally (
Victoria Park Victoria Park may refer to:
Places Australia
* Victoria Park Nature Reserve, a protected area in Northern Rivers region, New South Wales
* Victoria Park, Adelaide, a park and racecourse
* Victoria Park, Brisbane, a public park and former golf ...
to
Central Government Office
The Former Central Government Offices (also the Government Headquarters), now called Justice Place, is an office building complex that formerly housed most of the major offices of the Hong Kong Government. The complex is located in Ce ...
)
Sunday, 11 December 1:00pm, Victoria Park
*Cultural Events/Solidarity Night
Sunday, 11 December 8:00pm, Victoria Park
*Opening Public Assembly and Rally
Tuesday, 13 December 1:00pm, Victoria Park
*Closing March/Rally
Sunday, 18 December 2:00pm, Victoria Park
Working Groups
HKPA is made up of 8 working groups.
*Action and Mobilization Group
The Action and Mobilization Group (AMG) is responsible for organizing the public rallies during the action week in December . Since many local groups and overseas groups will join the rallies, however, it is very likely that the Hong Kong authorities will stigmatize the rallies in the media and also impose violence on the demonstrators. AMG is therefore responsible for networking with Human Rights groups to defend the freedom of assembly and the rights of free from violence imposed by the police. AMG will also try to form team of legal consultants to provide legal advice for demonstrators who come across maltreatment from the HK authority.
*Documentation Group
The Documentation Group (DG) is responsible for providing other people with information on the WTO and the HKPA, in terms of position papers and activities. On the other hand, DG will also document the process between now and the WTO’s ministerial meeting in HK in Dec.
Education and Local Mobilization Group
*The Education and Local Mobilization Group
responsible for providing education on the impacts of WTO to the Hong Kong public. To fulfill this task, it has to contextualize the analysis of the impact of WTO on the livelihood of the Hong Kong. The Education and Local Mobilization Group is also responsible for mobilizing the public to participate in the global justice campaign.
Hong Kong Government Monitoring
Monitor the Government (MGG) is responsible for urging the government to release the information of the WTO negotiation and defending the rights and interest of the grass root group during the negotiation with the government.
).
*Logistics and Fundraising Group
Firstly, the Logistic and Fund Raising Group (LFRG) is responsible for raising funds for Action Week and education/mobilization activities. Secondly, LFRG is responsible for mobilizing volunteers from different network and local organization for the Action week (include interpreters). Lastly, LFRG will provide logistic support for activities during action week.
*Media and Publicity Group
responsible for projecting the image and position of HKPA to HK media through media statements, activities and mass actions.
*Outreach Group
Outreach Group (OG) is responsible for expanding the international network of HKPA and establishing contact with groups those are under-represented in ICN in terms of the issues they concerned or the geographical area they come from.
Programme Group
Brief Description
Programme Group (PG) is responsible for developing content and design of maximum impact through collective action for the centralized Opening and Closing Plenary. On the other hand, PG will also coordinate all the information about on-going/planned activities for the Action week and produce a calendar of consolidated activities on the theme and sectors for each day.
References
External links
Hong Kong People’s Alliance on WTO (Chinese)(more up to date than the English version)
Hong Kong People’s Alliance on WTO (English)WTO Ministerial Conference of 2005 Official Website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hong Kong People's Alliance On Wto
World Trade Organization
Political organisations based in Hong Kong
2005 in Hong Kong