REPA Booklet - Stop Epa

Foreword
One of the callings of the 8 th Assembly of the World Council of Churches was for the churches to reflect on and
search for an alternative to the current global economic system as promoted by the Bretton Woods institutions. In
this pursuit of economic justice, member churches of the WCC were called to reflect and provide constructive
criticism on the current economic paradigm. In their search for an alternative to economic globalisation as we know
of it today, the Pacific churches called on the ecumenical movement to stand in solidarity with the marginalized and
excluded and to promote living communities of hope.
In its quest for global domination, the current economic system promotes uniformity under the auspices of World
Trade Organisation. In lay-person’s terms alternatives are possible, so long as they do not threaten the current
economic system.
The churches in the Pacific are now called to respond to the consequences of global economic policies that
marginalize and exclude more Pacific Islanders than ever before. In many cases, the churches are called upon
to do the social work and care for the ills of society. As churches we play that role very well and in many cases,
incite government institutions to depend on us for that service we provide to society. In turn governments
increasingly call on church institutions to “heal society” and “care for society”.
The question at stake is whether we as the church will continue to be the band-aid service at the disposal of society
or whether the church can address the causes of such ills?
Our Pacific cultures are based on the practice of giving. For the Pacific Island cultures, giving creates a bond
between the giver and the recipient. Nowadays, giving to charity creates a sense of exoneration from the explicit
poverty that surrounds us all. Now that we have given to charity, we have now cleaned our conscience and can
carry on with our lives. This act of charity allows us not to address the core problem,which is a matter of justice for
all. As part of this search for economic justice, the Pacific churches contributed its concept of the Island of Hope to
the global ecumenical vision of a viable and living alternative to economic globalisation.
It is the hope that this study will establish a platform upon which the churches can be more involved in the policy
discussions of Pacific Island economies. The economic partnership agreement and PACER and PICTA are
mechanisms that will affect the lives of all Pacific Islanders and as such they are important issues that need to be
discussed at all levels. They should not be reserved for the “experts” only! This study hopes to bring such broad
sweeping concepts to a level that is understandable to all in the hope that discussion is generated at all levels and
that an increasing number of Pacific Islanders understand the trade negotiations and multilateral trade agreements
our governments are signing up to on our behalf.
Furthermore, our hope is that the discussions generated from this study will cross the oceans to our brothers and
sisters in the Caribbean and African region. We hope to come together as churches to discuss the impacts of the
ACP–EU Development Cooperation Agreement and other multilateral agreements on the peoples of our regions.
Most importantly, it is our hope that this study will bring people together to live and advocate for a more just
economic system that is more viable and more sustainable for all, and that does not and will not create second class
citizens.
Our deepest gratitude goes to Professor Jane Kelsey for accepting to write this important study guide and to Dr.
Rogate Reuben Mshana, programme executive for the Economic Justice programme of the World Council of
Churches for ensuring that this study comes to fruition.
Pacifically Yours
Fe’iloakitau Kaho Tevi
Executive Secretary
World Council of Churches Office in the Pacific
A People’s Guide To The Pacific’s Economic Partnership Agreement 3