Built for whom?

by | Oct 16, 2018 |

A slideshow on key point raised at the Public Forum on Infrastructure during the #WorldBeyondBanks protest activities against the International Monetary Fund and World Bank annual meeting in Bali, Indonesia. The forum took place on 12 October 2018.

Stefano Prato of the Society for International Development (SID):

"A new model of infrastructure financing is being proposed, one that is run by the “private” sector. These projects are “privately run” but not completely privatized, as public contribution remains in the model to indemnify the private sector and guarantee stable conditions for profit. This also appeals to the financial market and international investors as the fundamental nature of public services is transformed into “development needs”, which generate debt, regressive tax policies, and more revenues."

Gaurav Dwiwedi of Centre for Financial Accountability (CFA):

"A lot of money invested in mega-infrastructure projects come from public sector banks which were build from the savings of common people. We need to ask the question: is this the kind of "social infrastructure" that we really need to uplift the lives of million of people?"

Maria Jose Romero of European Network on Debt and Development (Eurodad):

"Companies get their revenue stream guaranteed by states. We need to understand that infrastructure is not only about the "physical" as it also includes the "social" infrastructure that we need, including health and education. But these mega-projects not only undermine democratic accountability, increase vulnerability to debt impacts, and provide zero transparency and consultation. They also violate the ownership and rights of the people to social services."

Rene Ofreneo of the Freedom from Debt Coalition:

"Philippines became the first laboratory for structural adjustment program in Asia. Now, the Duterte administration is pushing for more privatization, more borrowing, and more taxes for the government's infrastructure program, 'Build, Build, Build'. A question is asked: Who will benefit from this? Where is the public partnership with farmers, fisherfolk, the urban and rural poor?"

Maarten Bakker of Centre for Research on Multinational Organizations (SOMO), speaking on the Kuala Tanjung Port, a project by Pelindo I (Indonesia, state-owned) with the Port of Rotterdam (Netherlands) and DP World (United Arab Emirates) under-construction in Batubara Regency, North Sumatra:

"What do our Indonesian friends want? Is it really port development? For what? For whom?" -

Rose Bridger of the Global Anti-Aerotropolis Movement:

"Aerotropolis = aerotrocities. They unlock regions for mega infrastructure projects, they unlock regions for global economy integration, they unlock regions for land grabbing, and they unlock regions to channel more funds to corporations. None of these benefit the local communities, the people who will be displaced by these aerotropolises."

Ramananda Wangkheirakpam of Intercultural Resources:

"The Asian Highway Network is not about connecting peoples and villages but about connecting different countries to serve the infrastructure agenda. A lot of people are stuck in the system. How do we rethink globalization? How do we tell our own stories and compile our narratives from the ground?"

Sana, a woman community leader from Yogyakarta:

"We have been opposing the construction of a new airport, toll road, and train network that will pass by our village and displace many of our people. But even within the struggle and resistance movement, we have been fighting the patriarchal system and culture as we, women, face discrimination and oppression."

Angel Strapazzon from Latin America:

"The martyrdom of Berta Cáceres and the rejection of the Lenca people pressured the corporations to pullout of the Agua Zarca Dam project. With a well-organized local struggle, sustained uproar and outcry of the people, and international solidarity transforming it to a "globalized struggle", I hear hope and spirit of joy as we continue the struggle of our people. Love and life will always prevail."

Sophea Chrek of Focus on the Global South:

"The tension between local and global level is intensified. Unfortunately, the same is true with the level of fragmentation among peoples' resistance, social movements, and civil society responses. We need to come up with a strong response in a coherent and synergistic manner. The scale of challenge is unprecedented."

The activity is organized by Kesatuan Nelayan Tradisional Indonesia (KNTI); Serikat Petani Indonesia (SPI); Focus on the Global South (Focus); Asia Pacific Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD); Centre for Financial Accountability (CFA); International Planning Committee on Food Sovereignty – Working Group on Land and Territory; Society for International Development (SID); European Network on Debt and Development (Eurodad); Latin American Network on Debt, Development, and Rights (Latindad); Oakland Institute; and Centre for Research on Multinational Organizations (SOMO).