The Alliance is growing day by day in all corners of the world. But this brings about constant questions as to what we, as allies, need to do. We are especially pressed to decide how to prepare a worldwide movement for the years to come and to find a way to come together in the new millenium. How can we organize ourselves to be able to decide collectively what to do, how to do it, and who will do what? The Alliance’s collective organization process is essential in order to be able to make ground on these important and pressing questions.

During a meeting held in Paris in January of 1998, several allies pointed out the necessity of moving towards a collective project along these lines. In this meeting, I was asked to prepare the first Collective Organization project. Over the course of four months, four outlines were drawn-up, based on the results of several consultations, each one larger than the last. Participants were: Ricardo Gomez, Moemea Libera Viezzer, Nadia-Leïla Aïssaoui, Joan Ramon Gordo, Gustavo Marin, Pierre Calame, Patrick Viveret, Manola Rauss, Lydia Nicollet, Eva Egron-Polak, André Talmant, George Becquart, Isabelle Sorbelli, Joseph Tarradellas, Maurice Cosandey...

The fourth outline of the Alliance’s "Collective Organization Project" was sent to approximately 300 allies for consultation, in June 1998. The outline stipulates the formation of an international facilitation team of thirty persons, reflecting the diversity of the Alliance along the lines of culture, thematic groups and colleges. Also outlined in the proposal is the creation of a fundraising foundation, which would ensure efficient management of the preparations for the Year 2000/2001 event. The project outline is open to comments and suggestions from allies on the following points:

• The undertaking of a collective organization project for the Alliance
• The nature of the Alliance and the principles of organization which stem from this
• The functions to be filled by the different bodies
• A calendar for the next three years

Approximately forty responses have been received so far, and based on these peoples’ comments, a fifth outline is being prepared. It should be sent to all allies this summer for feedback.

Marti Olivella

To get a copy of the "Evaluation Report of the Assembly 97" or of the "Alliance’s collective organization project," please contact Ricardo Gomez: International Development Research Centre, IDRC 250 Albert Street - PO Box 8500 Ottawa, Ontario - K1G 3H9 Canada Tel: +1(613) 236.61.63 ext. 2546 -- fax: +1(613) 567.77.48 Ricardo.Gomez@writeme.com

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