The grassroots movement, We The 99, is uniting activists, civil society members, workers, youth, and changemakers across South Africa and beyond to tackle global economic inequalities. From 20–22 November, the movement will host the People’s Summit for Global Economic Justice at Constitution Hill, Johannesburg. The summit aims to give communities a platform to reclaim their voices and challenge a global economy that often prioritises profit over people, taking place just days before the G20 Leaders’ Summit.
Programme Officer at Networks for Advocacy for We The 99, Kearabetswe Moopelo, explained the significance of the event: “So the overall objective of the People’s Summit really is to build a Global South movement that is connected by our common social issues and our collective call for economic justice. So really it’s the first time that we’re actually launching a movement of this nature that aims to address global economic issues at this scale.”
Moopelo also highlighted the international response to the initiative: “Very exciting, and I think very good as well. Very positive responses from your coalitions, platforms, and networks internationally based, and that has really given us a very positive sense that this is something that we’re collectively looking for. I will, you know, list a few, but it’s really been very exciting to see the international interest we have, with organizations coming from Mexico, the Philippines, Nepal, Kenya, Uganda, and many, many more.”
The summit seeks to demonstrate the power of collective action from the Global South, bringing together grassroots voices to demand fairness, equality, and shared prosperity in the global economy.
