What is the G-20 Summit?

The Group of Twenty Summit is a yearly meeting of the 19 biggest economies and the European Union (EU), which represent "90% of global GDP, 80% of world trade and two thirds of the world's population". Who will attend? The heads of state, finance ministers and central bank presidents of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States of America, as well as the European Union, with the stated intent of discussing international cooperation in finance.

Other attendees will be the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the President of the World Bank, plus various other representatives of those two institutions. In recent years the IMF and World Bank have been criticized for creating policies unfair to developing countries. Desperately needed loans are tied to intrusive conditions, such as structural adjustment programs, which mandate cutting funding for social services (health, education and infrastructure). The stated topics to be discussed will be: “strengthening transparency and accountability; enhancing sound regulation; promoting integrity in financial markets; reinforcing international cooperation; and reforming the international financial institutions.”

What makes the G-20 different from the G-7 or G-8?

The G-7 and G-8 are similar, in that both consist of the richest nations (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the US) and the G-8 also includes Russia. The G-7 does not hold annual meetings, whereas the G-8 does. This is a meeting of the heads of states of the aforementioned nation-states. "The G20 was set up after the Asian crisis in the 1990s led world leaders to conclude that there ought to be a forum for economic debate including a wider range of countries. It had its first meeting in 1999.” [link]

Critics point out that expanding the group to 20 doesn’t change the problems with these exclusive gatherings. “The G20 does not have a charter and its debates are not public, making it an "undemocratic institution." The alternative could allegedly be represented by an Economic Security Council within the United Nations where members should be elected by the General Assembly on their importance in the world economy but also to the contribution they are willing to provide to economic development.”[Wikipedia] It is believed by supporters of the G-20 that including all nations, especially those with a small role in global finance, would be unwieldy and ultimately unproductive. The official website for this summit says that "the G-20's economic weight and broad membership gives it a high degree of legitimacy and influence over the management of the global economy and financial system."

Why is it taking place in Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh was reportedly chosen because of how well the city has reinvented itself since the disappearance of our defining industry, steel, especially in the areas of education, technology and health care. Reasons for picking Pittsburgh, according to Mayor Luke Ravenstahl’s chief of staff, include“ the economic transformation of Pittsburgh -- how we measure up in a global economy” and what " Pittsburgh has done to transform itself from what some might have considered a Smoky City to a city of today, 21st century jobs, economic transformation, high tech, bio tech, and green jobs as well.”

Why do people oppose or criticize the G-20?

People oppose the G-20 for various reasons. One of the main criticisms is that the financial power brokers of the world’s biggest economies like Ben Bernanke (Federal Reserve president) and Timothy Geithner (Secretary of the US Treasury) have no democratic mandate. They do not actually represent the people who live in their home countries, let alone all the people worldwide, the other countries of the world, who will be effected by the policies decided upon there. For many, the agenda and approach of the G 20 Summit sorely lacks relevance or positive impacts for most people. It appears to be a forum for the biggest political and economic players to improve the world, according to its stated goals. But many critics view the involvement of the IMF and World Bank as problematic. Why? These institutions consistently promote so-called “free market” policies and exclude debate on more equitable and sustainable policies.

Who are the people creating the People’s Summit? Why are they doing it?

The Peoples’ Summit is being planned by a partnership of educators and advocacy groups concerned with peace and social justice. It will provide a forum for discussion that cannot happen at the G-20 Summit. Expert speakers, panels and workshops will create informed dialogue about the economic, social and political problems facing the world. These will be held Saturday, September 19 to Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at several Pittsburgh locations. The latest information is displayed at the website PeoplesSummit.com.

Is it a protest? Will it be dangerous?

The Peoples’ Summit is not a protest; it is planned as a respectful dialogue.

Fear that all activities not sanctioned by the official G 20 Summit will result in violence is unfounded. As a national security special event (NSSE), the G-20 Summit and the resulting activities and events are likely to follow the model of other NSSEs . Unfolding security plans should be of interest to all Pittsburghers. How the National Security Agency and the Pittsburgh Police Department (as well as dozens of other agencies with jurisdiction) plan to keep the peace should be transparent to the people of this region. Regardless of what they will be doing come September 24th, everyone should watch how those who wish to raise their voices to ask questions are treated. Visit the G-20 Media site to monitor press reports.

How do I find out about alternate summits, demonstrations, gatherings and city plans for Pittsburgh related to the G-20?

Thus far, mainstream press coverage of “unofficial” G-20 events has been raising the fear factor without engaging the deeper issues involved, the issues that the Peoples’ Summit will discuss in an open democratic way. The Thomas Merton Center has created an easy access list of links to websites, position papers and press releases created by citizens in response to the G20 Summit in Pittsburgh.