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Let’s Work Towards Another 20 Years of

Resisting Injustice, Envisioning Alternatives & Taking Action

For the past 20 years, Global Exchange has advanced a people centered globalization--an alternative economy of quality based upon protecting international human rights, and ensuring that the cost of globalization does not come at the expense of us all.

As we looks towards another 20 years of movement building, it is crucial to state the values and actions that inspire us to work towards peace and justice:


Global Citizenship Values

  • coffee farmer pictureWe seek to develop a sense of compassion that is at the core of grassroots internationalism; being able to feel deeply about injustice against anyone, anywhere in the world.
  • Where injustices are being committed, we pledge to take the side of the poor and oppressed.
  • We strive to go beyond charity to build lasting ties of international solidarity that allow people to help themselves while helping others.
  • We affirm the rights outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, especially the economic rights to employment, shelter, education, healthcare and food. We also defend the universal human rights of freedom of expression, assembly and religion.
  • We shun the unbridled acquisition of material goods for personal gain. We try to live simply so that others may simply live.
  • We strive to overcome racism, sexism and class prejudice in ourselves, our communities and our government.
  • We believe that the preservation of the earth and all living things is the responsibility of everyone. Natural resources should not be hoarded as private resources to be used (or abused) as the owner sees fit. They should be treated as if they were on loan from our great, great grandchildren.
  • We support the struggle of poor farmers and landless peasants for sufficient land, water and tools to grow food for their families.
  • We support the right of workers to organize to defend their rights and press for better working conditions.
  • We support the right of women everywhere to participate fully in the running of their societies.
  • We call for sweeping reductions in military spending, with the money going to meet human needs such as housing, health care and education.
  • We believe that international conflicts should be resolved peacefully through multilateral institutions such as the United Nations. All governments—especially powerful ones—should strengthen the democratic and developmental aspects of the UN so it can live up to its original promise.
  • International trade should be based on mutual benefit, not the exploitation of the poor by the rich, The negotiation of international trade agreements should include significant input by workers and the poor.
  • We call for canceling the foreign debt of third world countries that is crushing the poor by draining much--needed capital away from development needs in order to pay off western banks and governments.
  • We support the right of all people to travel freely and we oppose policies—such as the U.S. blockades against Cuba, Vietnam and North Korea—which restrict such travel.
  • We advocate a socially responsible type of tourism that respects local culture and environments and tries to leave tourist money in the hands of local people.
  • We believe that businesses, especially transnational corporations, should be responsible to their workers and to the communities where they do business.
  • We believe that it is the duty of all citizens to be actively involved in shaping the domestic and foreign policies of their governments.