YOUTH say NO to FTAA

On May 15 and 16, YMCA Ecuador youth gathered in Crucita to debate the effects of FTAA (Free Trade Area of the Americas) and the FTA’s (Free Trade Agreements), and how these limit their access to healthcare, education and employment. Their final declaration stipulated the following:

• To say NO to FTAA and FTA’s, considering them to be an imperialistic domination of borders and the market in order to extract capital from Latin America.
  
• To demand respect for Human Rights.
  
• To support the development of a Popular Council that will give the citizens the power determine the signing of free trade agreements.
  
• To support acts of resistance to FTAA and propose new alternatives for Latin America and Ecuador.
  The young people decided to join national and continental campaigns against FTAA and FTA’s and to participate actively in the Americas Social Forum in Quito, July 25-30. They will also hold forums, debates, campaigns and educational events in Quito, Santo Domingo de los Colorados and Portoviejo, the cities where the Y works.