The International Gender and Trade Network (IGTN) contributes to global social mobilization around issues of gender equity, free and fair trade, human rights, pro-poor, sustainable development, peace, and social and economic justice through network building and the development of educational resources and advocacy strategies for popular education and action.

WTO Mobilization

The IGTN has had an active and consistent presence at World Trade Organization (WTO) ministerial meetings beginning with the Doha Development Round and following with Seattle and, most recently, the Fifth WTO ministerial that was held in Cancun, Mexico in September 2003.

IGTN is currently preparing for the upcoming Sixth Ministerial scheduled for December 13-18, 2005 in Hong Kong.  As part of IGTN's advocacy efforts at the WTO, Maria Pia Hernandez, IGTN representative in Geneva, has prepared the paper, Incorporating Gender Considerations for the Designation of Special Products in WTO Agriculture Negotiations, which is designed to assist policy makers and trade negotiators in current negotiations.   

IGTN representatives have also been active in mobilizing against the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) and the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). Each of the regions also participate in local and regional education and mobilization around key issues of concern.

WSF Mobilization

The IGTN has been an active participant in the World Social Forums (WSF) since 2001, sponsoring and organizing key seminars such as "Globalization, Privatization, and Poor Women's right to Water," "Women on the Road to Cancun." IGTN representatives also participated in workshops on issues of coherence between international trade and financial institutions, market access for developing countries, and the U.S.-Chile free trade agreement, among others. IGTN regional representatives recently returned from the World Social Forum 2005, held in Porto Alegre, Brazil January 26-31, 2005.  The report from the 2005 WSF is available below.  Reports from previous WSFs are available in the IGTN Resource Library.

• Report on IGTN Events at the 2005 World Social Forum