A Fair Globalization: Creating opportunities for all

In his address to the United Nations General Assembly on 23 September 2003, the United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, succinctly warned the world body that it had "come to a fork in the road." We, the Co-Chairs of the World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalization, believe the world stands at a historic moment of decision. The commission was established to address some of the challenges facing the world as it stands at this fork. As human beings, it is in our power to take a correct turn, which would make the world safer, fair, ethical, inclusive and prosperous for the majority, not just for a few, within countries and between countries. It is also in our power to prevaricate, to ignore the road signs, and let the world we all share slide into further spirals of political turbulence, conflicts and wars. We believe we have in these following pages enough of the case for political leaders, nationally and internationally, to be persuaded to take the correct turn. Currently, globalization is a decisive subject. It verges on a dialogue of the deaf, both nationally and internationally. Yet the future of our countries, and the destiny of changing. Old convictions and ideologies have been tested by experience, and changed by example. People are open to a fresh start. Now is the time for leadership, to move from sterile debate to positive action. We believe that, in this report, we have looked at globalization through the eyes of the people, rising above our constituencies and capturing faithfully the hopes and fears of our shared humanity. Many recognize the opportunities for a better life that globalization presents. We believe their hopes are realizable, but only if globalization is subjected to better governance at all levels. More people than ever before do not want to be left behind by the globalization train; but they want to be sure where it is heading, and that it is travelling at survivable speed. Our driving spirit has been to make globalization a positive force for all people and countries. We propose no panaceas or simple solutions; instead we suggest a new perspective. We believe the dominant perspective on globalization must shift more from a narrow preoccupation with markets to a broader preoccupation with people. Globalization must be brought from the high pedestal of corporate board rooms and cabinet meetings to meet the needs of people in the communities in which they live. The social dimension of globalization is about jobs, health and education - but it goes far beyond these. It is the dimension of globalization which people experience in their daily life and work: the totality of their aspirations for democratic participation and material prosperity. A better globalization is the key to a better and secure life for people everywhere in the 21st century.