| The G8 Summit |
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| Written by Administrator | |||
| Monday, 03 May 2004 00:00 | |||
 The G8 began in 1975, when French President Giscard d'Estaing invited five other countries to Rambouillet, to discuss major world issues. At the beginning, the major issue was the oil crisis. Canada joined on for the San Juan summit one year later, and the European Community/Union has acted as an observer since 1977. The seven countries rotated as hosts of the event. At the Naples Summit of 1994, Russia was granted observer status. At the 1998 Birmingham Summit, they were granted a role as active participant, which brought the total up to eight. While at first glance, this may seem like a perfect example of countries working together, it may not be that simple. According to g8carnival.org, This very small number of leaders from a very small number of countries representing about 12.2% of the total world population, decide on what will happen to the other 87.8% over rounds of golf and exotic food. This grotesquely disproportionate distribution of the world's wealth and power is the root of anger and violence over these meetings. The G8 protests have a history of violence, which contributes largely to the strict security surrounding the event, and the military presence nearby the protest sites. But then, if there is so much danger and violence surrounding the event, why do people still protest? What is so important about this conference that people seem to feel the need to put their neck out in such a dangerous area? The answer is quite simple, and it has to do with giving power to the little guy. The wealthiest eight countries in the world meet, every year, to essentially create economic and political policy for the rest of the world, policy that can involve any number of current and past issues. This idea of giving power back to the little guy has inspired worldwide protest every year. Called the Days of Resistance, the not-quite-underground call for resistance has stretched to all corners of the globe, and involves most of them. All of the countries participating in the G8 conference find a large group of protesters every year, calling for the complete abolishment of the G8 conference. This year, its time to do your part. The Fair World Fair, which follows around the G8 conference, is in New Brunswick this year. Our very own Carolina Peace Resource Center is heading down for the conference, and the fair. Contact the Center for carpooling information. Information on the Fair World Fair is located at www.g8carnival.org. Add your comment
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