Global Exchange is an activist-based human rights organization, celebrating over 20 years of action for social, economic and environmental justice. We envision a people centered globalization that values the rights of workers and the health of the planet, prioritizes international collaboration as central to ensuring peace, and aims to create a local, green economy designed to embrace the diversity of our communities. We believe that it is not enough to resist injustice; we must also envision alternatives and take action!
Global Exchange Core Programs
Turning Public Opinion Toward Peace
Global Exchange’s Peace program, including CODEPINK, inspires creative actions to expose the real cost of war, challenge war profiteering and military recruitment, and build people-to-people ties to expand understanding and tolerance. We continue to be a vital voice of protest and conscience.
Reality Tours
Global Exchange’s Reality Tours program sends delegates to over 30 countries, providing people with the opportunity to understand issues beyond what is communicated by the mass media and gain a new vantage point from which to both view and have an impact on US foreign policy. Travelers are linked with activists and organizations from around the globe working toward positive change, with the ultimate aim of building people-to-people ties through citizen diplomacy and dialogue.
Advancing Economic Justice as a Human Right
Fair Trade
Our Fair Trade Campaign educates consumers, demands corporate accountability from the US chocolate industry, and generates market demand for Fair Trade chocolate. Our Fair Trade Stores give consumers an opportunity to buy beautiful crafts and other products made by Fair Trade artisans and farmers from over 40 countries.
Community Rights Campaign
Our Community Rights Campaign is a transformative new program that confronts corporate power at the core by challenging unjust laws and shifting the balance of power from one that protects the rights of corporations, to one that protects the rights of our communities and the environment.
Economic Activism for Palestine
This year, Global Exchange has launched a new project promoting economic activism for justice in Palestine. The program has been created in response to the July 2005 unified call of Palestinian civil society, endorsed by all Palestinian parties, unions and associations, calling for a wide variety of initiatives such as boycotts, divestment and sanctions until it complies with international law and implements full and equal rights for all. The Economic Activism project aims to support existing campaigns for divestment and corporate accountability nationally, as well as help create new ones through education, training, networking and the development of dedicated tools.
Mexico Program
Through our Mexico Program, Global Exchange has worked to change US/Mexico relations since 1993. In response to the growing violence and overwhelming sense of impunity, we are amplifying our work to end support for military solutions to social problems, and build support for fairer trade policies that give Mexicans more opportunities to earn a living at home and keep their communities intact. This year we are raising awareness in the US public and among policy makers by developing and supporting Mexican grassroots groups via speaking tours, publications, and possible election monitoring delegations.
Advancing Human Rights on the Environmental Agenda
Just Solutions to Climate Chaos
Global Exchange is uniting with people around the world to demand effective policies and develop grassroots solutions to climate change that ensure sustainability and prosperity for all.
Energy Program
Due to difficulties locating sources of funding, the energy program at Global Exchange is coming to a close. We have had great successes over the past year and a half, including amazing actions at both the Chevron and B.P. shareholder meetings, and we will continue to work with the True Cost of Chevron Network.
Renewable Power Payments
Following our victory in defeating Prop 23 this year, Global Exchange is energized to advance proactive legislation for Renewable Power Payments for clean energy generation that will bring the large scale implementation of local clean power and the healthier economy we need. Global Exchange is working in coalition with numerous other groups for Renewable Power Payments legislation to be introduced in the California legislature and mobilizing to get a good bill passed within the two year legislative cycle.
Green Festival
Green Festival introduces hundreds of thousands of citizens each year to the growing green economy through inspiring speakers, activist workshops, and an enormous, thriving marketplace for green goods and services.
Green Economy Leadership Training
Global Exchange’s Michigan Organizing team is working towards a cultural, economic, and ecological shift in the greater Detroit area, uniting with local citizens to build the alternative in the communities where they live. The Green Economy Leadership Training (GELT) program providing hands-on experience in urban gardening, solar panel installation, weatherization, and demand-side economics.
