Save Peruvian Globalization with Equidad (redGE)
Advocate for fair globalization and sustainable development model
RedGE is a coalition of NGOs and social organizations, including 11.11.11-partners DAR, and CooperAcción. The network brings together the organizations to advocate for a just globalization and for a sustainable development model as an alternative to the current neoliberal model of the Peruvian government.
Economic justice
RedGE analyses the various aspects of trade policy, which is extremely 'liberal' in Peru. Peru has concluded free trade agreements with as many countries as possible, without putting forward any conditions for the interests of its own population - neither in the areas of human rights, environment, economy, etc. RedGE closely follows all negotiations on free trade agreements in Peru, and tries to enforce improvements: better conditions for workers, farmers, in the area of the environment... This is possible because the members each have a different expertise - in mining, medicine, environment, rights, agriculture, etc. The network also carries out impact studies, and tries to use the existing mechanisms for a number of improvements.
RedGe also works as a network on alternatives for development that take into account sustainable management of natural resources and human rights. Capacity building, dissemination and exchange of information, and joint lobby strategies and campaigns contribute to this. It works together with social organisations and movements, academia, the media and public actors.
Complaint
Since the European Union-Peru Free Trade Agreement entered into force, RedGE has been using the limited dialogue mechanisms available to engage civil society on how such an agreement can contribute to sustainable development.
In 2017, several Peruvian civil society organisations and Plataforma Europa Peru (PEP) filed a complaint with the European Commission against the Peruvian government for failing to meet its obligations under the sustainable development chapter of the EU Free Trade Agreement on labour rights and the environment.
RedGE assumes the coordination of Peru's Domestic Advisory Group (Peru) and closely monitors the complaint process.
Lobby pharmaceutical companies
RedGE has achieved successes in the area of the negative effects of international treaties on intellectual property and access to medicines. The lobby of pharmaceutical companies is constantly trying to limit the use of generic medicines, which was also the case in the negotiations with the EU. Thanks to the efforts of RedGE, the Peruvian state decided to put a number of demands on the table, which somewhat reduced the negative effects.
Also in the context of the COVID-19 crisis, RedGE denounced the abuses of the monopolies regarding the sale of medicines. As a result, they had to back off a bit, and there was less abuse of the monopolies to keep prices artificially high.
Through the network, the organizations denounce the abuses of large companies, such as threatening and filing complaints against the Peruvian state to secure their investments. Indeed, within the free trade agreements, arbitration mechanisms were provided that leave this possibility open to the companies.
