As we go to press, our colleague Soren Ambrose is arriving in Prague, where he joins thousands of other activists for events related to the annual meeting of the IMF and the World Bank. It is five months since the historic April mobilization at the semi-annual meetings of the Bretton Woods institutions and 10 months since the protests at the WTO Ministerial in Seattle. In the last year names of cities -- Seattle, Bangkok, Cologne, Johannesburg, Washington DC, Nairobi, Davos, New Delhi, Melbourne, etc. -- became synonymous with major fractures in the global economic order. But most importantly, also emblematic of the tremendous potential and/or power of growing international solidarity in the quest for global justice.

And now, with the call to "Localize the Movement for Global Justice", there are 57 cities (and counting) across the U.S. where community activists have planned and are organizing teach-ins, picket lines, protests, vigils, etc. to link local struggles to the global movement for justice. Proving that reports of the demise of the "Seattle and April 16 Coalition" are premature and greatly exaggerated, students, local and national unions, community, and faith-based groups, as well as individual activists are mobilizing and have organized all these events. In more than 30 countries, among them, Argentina, India; South Africa (in 3 cities), the Philippines, Turkey, Russia, Finland, Zimbabwe, Brazil (in 5 cities), Greece, and Ireland rallies and teach-ins are planned. International solidarity is alive and well.

We are collectively changing the political climate in the U.S. and around the world on IMF and World Bank issues, but we face big challenges ahead to keep pushing forward, and to change the institutions to serve the public good not corporate purpose. Our challenge is to ensure that the thousands of people who are newly educated become committed fighters for justice and lifelong activists working for the transformation of international financial institutions.

The staff, member, and partner organizations of the 50 Years Is Enough Network believe that the current economic system is rotten to the core and cannot and should not be "reformed." It must be transformed. Therefore, we are at the forefront of the struggles seeking change and proposing viable alternatives to the current systems - economic, political, and social systems. We are not seeking, nor will we be placated by a seat at the table. We demand and will continue to advocate for justice for all, accountability, transparency, democratic participation and decision making, human and labor rights, living wages, environmental protection, sustainable livelihoods, and all the political, social, and economic rights due to ensure lives of dignity.

The heightened awareness and attention about corporate globalization and the growing international movement for justice present both a challenge and an opportunity. A challenge because a unified movement is just emerging, we have limited resources and the problems and issues are broad and deep. It has been an incredible opportunity to reach thousands of people, who share our concerns about the system and the commitment and desire to change it. It is an opportunity to demonstrate, yet again, the broad support and concern about the current economic system. The role of the 50 Years Is Enough Network, as I see it, is to educate, organize, mobilize, build and strengthen partnerships, and continue to amplify our position and demand change.

I believe that the work of the 50 Years Is Enough Network is unique and critical to the ongoing struggles for social and economic justice. The Network is committed to making this tremendous opportunity count and remain central to the building of the emerging movement for solidarity around global justice and peace issues.

To do the necessary work in a sustainable way, the Network recently hired Jennifer Webster as Program Associate. The need for additional staff was impressed on us very clearly by the workload associated with the mobilization for the April meetings of the World Bank and the IMF. Jennifer brings grassroots experience, commitment, and great energy to the Network. We are also lucky to have Ruah Basker, working with us - a full time intern through December- whose help already has been invaluable. With this additional help, we hope to be able to accomplish more, including publishing the newsletter every two months.

These are exciting and defining times for our Network and the struggles for peace and justice. It gives me great pride and encouragement to know that in communities, schools and universities, homes, union halls, and places of worship around the world there are growing legions of fighters for justice. And I should know, I had the privilege of looking out to 30,000 of you from the stage at the Ellipse on April 16, 2000! In the words of Sweet Honey In the Rock song, "We are the ones we have been waiting for," and I add we must be the ones to create and bring about peace, justice, dignity, and sustainability, in our world - by our works. So lets get to it!

September 19,2000