Antiglobalization Activists in Syria
Encyclopedia
AGAS - Antiglobalization Activists in Syria - is a Syrian-based collective of opponents to the neoliberal globalization. In Arabic
the group uses the name al-Badil (البديل) which means the alternative.
AGAS was set up on January 1, 2003. Several of its leaders have spent years behind bars as prisoners of conscience
.
By focusing not only political rights, but also on social and economic rights, AGAS distinguishes itself from a large part of the Syrian opposition.
Insisting on its independence, AGAS cooperates internationally with the Committee for the Abolition of the Third World Debt
and ATTAC. AGAS also participates in the World Social Forum
. By labeling itself "Anti-globalization
", rather than "Alter-globalization
" AGAS distinguishes itself from ATTAC and other important parts of the movement.
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
the group uses the name al-Badil (البديل) which means the alternative.
AGAS was set up on January 1, 2003. Several of its leaders have spent years behind bars as prisoners of conscience
Prisoner of conscience
Prisoner of conscience is a term defined in Peter Benenson's 1961 article "The Forgotten Prisoners" often used by the human rights group Amnesty International. It can refer to anyone imprisoned because of their race, religion, or political views...
.
By focusing not only political rights, but also on social and economic rights, AGAS distinguishes itself from a large part of the Syrian opposition.
Insisting on its independence, AGAS cooperates internationally with the Committee for the Abolition of the Third World Debt
Committee for the Abolition of the Third World Debt
The Committee for the Abolition of the Third World Debt is an international network of activists who strive to develop and implement radical alternatives that would contribute to the maintenance, and indeed retrieval, of fundamental human rights all over the world.Through such actions as the...
and ATTAC. AGAS also participates in the World Social Forum
World Social Forum
The World Social Forum is an annual meeting of civil society organizations, first held in Brazil, which offers a self-conscious effort to develop an alternative future through the championing of counter-hegemonic globalization...
. By labeling itself "Anti-globalization
Anti-globalization
Criticism of globalization is skepticism of the claimed benefits of the globalization of capitalism. Many of these views are held by the anti-globalization movement however other groups also are critical of the policies of globalization....
", rather than "Alter-globalization
Alter-globalization
Alter-globalization is the name of a social movement that supports global cooperation and interaction, but which opposes the negative effects of economic globalization, feeling that it often works to the detriment of, or does not...
" AGAS distinguishes itself from ATTAC and other important parts of the movement.