As representatives of religious institutions and faith-based organizations with extensive global relationships and concern, we oppose the pending U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (FTA). International trade and investment activities should advance the common good and be evaluated in light of their impact on those who are most vulnerable, including Afro-Colombian and Indigenous peoples. The U.S.-Colombia FTA fails these tests.

"We write to you as representatives of organizations and social movements in the United States to express our opposition to the U.S. - Peru Free Trade Agreement (US-Peru) because of its negative impact on large numbers of women, men and children in the U.S. and Peru."

"As members of the U.S. - Southern Africa Customs Union Free Trade Agreement Working Group (U.S.-SACU FTA Working Group), the Center shares the goals of a more just, sustainable and prosperous human society in the region. In this spirit, the Center and and more than a dozen other groups raised serious concerns related to the negotiations of the U.S.-SACU FTA and offer recommendations that are essential to a more just trade relationship between the United States and the nations of Southern Africa in this letter to embassadors and Congressional leaders."

"As the 2005 World Summit culminates today at United Nations headquarters, the U.S. Gender and Trade Network expresses its outrage and disappointment with the Bush Administration and its deplorable role in influencing the trade agenda emerging from the Summit. It was our hope that the World Summit outcomes would ensure that trade rules are dedicated to poverty eradication and bound by existing UN agreements that promote and protect human rights, including women's rights, and the environment. But the Bush Administration effectively used the Summit to push its market fundamentalist approach to development that prioritizes profits above people."

"The Center of Concern deeply regrets the passage of the Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA) by the U.S. Congress last night in a narrow vote of 217 to 215.

Despite staunch opposition by people of faith, women, workers, public health advocates, small farmers, students, and indigenous in all six DR-CAFTA countries, the Bush Administration and Republican leadership have favored the interests of a narrow minority at the expense of many."

"Representatives of women's organizations and social movements in Central America and the United States, led by the U.S. Gender and Trade Network (USGTN) and Las Dignas in El Salvador, have written this sign-on letter and background paper in opposition to the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) and to urge Members of Congress in Central America and the U.S. to oppose the agreement should it come before them for approval. Take Action Now to stop this unjust trade agreement and send organizational sign-ons to fnageer@coc.org."

Abstract:This Wednesday the United States and Chile reached an agreement on a trade and investment accord between the two counties. Since the Bush administration won ""fast-track"" trade-negotiating authority in Congress last year, lawmakers will not be able to amend the agreement. They will only be able to make an up or down vote. The US and Chilean Chapters of the International Gender and Trade Network, of which the Center of Concern is a part, wrote a joint letter to the Chilean Parliament and US Congress last year expressing concern over the potential impacts of the agreement on women, families and communities in both countries. The letter relies on evidence from the experience of NAFTA and presents alternatives to the proposed free trade agreement.

In an age of increasing economic integration and interdependence between the nations and peoples of the world, mounting global inequities have come into sharp focus. While technological and other advances have made it possible for segments of humanity to achieve unprecedented material prosperity, large numbers of people have become mired in poverty, hunger, and disease.

"We, the women of the International Gender and Trade Network, come together at the Second Peoples' Summit in Quebec City to say 'NO' to a Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) that threatens to marginalize women and our human rights."

"In an age of increasing economic integration and interdependence between the nations and peoples of the world, mounting global inequities have come into sharp focus. While technological and other advances have made it possible for segments of humanity to achieve unprecedented material prosperity, large numbers of people have become mired in poverty, hunger, and disease. In the midst of growing disparities and injustices between and within countries, governments and international economic institutions have increasingly sought market-driven policies, particularly the expansion of international trade and investment. This limited approach has too often served to aggravate the problem. We see the need for a broader, more holistic understanding of human economic activity."