Davos - Ring of steel?

1 January 2001

Dressed as comedy businessmen complete with expensive suits, excessive jewellery, king-sized cigars, sunglasses and 'executive padding' they successfully strolled past tight security.

Posing as legitimate fat-cat delegates, "Franc Suisse", "Dave Dollar" and "Yoshi Yen" they handed out leaflets and stickers before being arrested for impersonating forum attendees. They were later released without charge.

WEF = World Eating Fat-cats?

There was, of course, a serious message behind the fat-cats' testing of Swiss security forces finest. Friends of the Earth believes that WEF delegates need to choose a new path for economics and development if the world is to solve the twin crises of poverty and environmental degradation.

Friends of the Earth campaigner, Duncan McLaren alias "Dave Dollar" said "Behind the barbed wire, the WEF delegates hear only the 'ideological greenwash' that more growth and more liberalisation will save the world. Outside in the real world, it's clear that only a few will benefit from this course, and many suffer - for example from accelerating climate change".

The forum, composed of multinational business leaders and politicians from around the world, has been criticised for heavy policing, making it difficult for NGOs and activists to make their voices heard.

Related links:

• Towards Sustainable Economies: Challenging Neoliberal Economic Globalisation
  (PDF† format)
  Friends of the Earth report on alternatives to the global economy
  
  
  
• What's wrong with world trade? (PDF)
  briefing on the problems of world trade liberalisation and tips for further action.
  

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