During the World Bank Annual Bank Conference on Development Economics in Oslo, Norway in 2002 large globalization-critical protests were held. A coalition of many organizations organized an alternative conference and a demonstration with more than 10 000 participants, thus making it the largest mass mobilisation in Norway in recent history. Before the protests, there was much concern about violence and riots, but the actual protest was almost entirely peaceful with a few minor incidents.[1][2]
The protests were organized by Oslo 2002, an umbrella organization for about 50 participating organizations including labor unions, political parties, environmental organizations, church organizations and ATTAC from Norway, Sweden and Denmark.[7][8] While each participant had its own reasons, here were the Oslo 2002 network mottos:
"Our world is not for sale--stop the World Bank’s undemocratic market policies!"
The network claimed that the World Bank is an undemocratic institution used by rich nations to control poor countries.[8] Einar Braathen and Reidun Heiene of ATTAC Norway and the Oslo 2002 network also criticized the bank for believing too much in market-based solutions.[9]
Prelude
In the weeks leading up to the conference and protests there was much concern about possible violence. The protests during the EU summit in Gothenburg 2001 were marred with vandalism and violent clashes between police and masked protesters. The previous year's World Bank conference in Barcelona had to be cancelled and held online instead.[4]
Many protesters were expected from other countries, especially neighboring Sweden and Denmark, but also some other parts of Europe.[10] Extra border patrols were put in place between Sweden and Norway, a border that is normally uncontrolled. There were lists of at least 500 persons who would not be allowed to enter the country.[11] An 18-year-old Swedish man was arrested in Oslo and later deported to Sweden. Another nine were apprehended at the Svinesund border crossing, but later released. A bus with 27 Danish citizens was stopped and their passports were copied by the police. Representatives for the protest organizers said the police should not arrest people who had committed no crime using anti-terrorist laws because it would label all protesters as criminals.[7][12][13]
Some downtown merchants were afraid of vandalism. Vehicles were not allowed to stop in downtown Oslo for five days, buses and trains were stopped during the march and garbage cans were removed from the streets.[11][14]
900 Norwegian police officers trained before the conference at a temporary training ground on the closed Fornebu airport. 20 courtrooms with judges were kept ready to handle urgent cases. A special holding facility was also constructed. The police primarily feared that unofficial protests after the large march would become violent, especially the anarchist Blitz movement. Another worry was provocation from counter-demonstrations by neo-nazi and extreme right-wing groups.[10][11]
The organizers, Oslo 2002, said they did not expect violence and they have been assured by the police there would be no provocations. Masks were not allowed in the demonstration.[7]
The protest march on June 24 started at 18.30 from Oslo Central Station and proceeded around central Oslo. Over 10,000 people participated in the march that was described by news writers as peaceful, colorful and carnival-like. At 19.45 the first marchers came back to Jernbanetorget along Karl Johans Street. On the square there were speeches on the theme "Vår verden er ikke til salgs - stopp Verdensbanken" (Our world is not for sale - stop the World Bank).[1][2]
The police kept a low profile but waited nearby. After the demonstration reached the end, at least ten stones were thrown towards a McDonald's restaurant, but without consequence. The throwers were soon stopped by older participants.[1]
Later in the evening was an unorganized after party in a central city park, which was also peaceful except for a quarrel between youths, apparently over a personal conflict rather than for political reasons.[2]
Alternative conference
An alternative conference called Open Forum (Åpent Forum) was held on Sunday 23 June. It focused on the negative effects of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. The conference was opened by Kenneth Kaunda, former president of Zambia. He said the World Bank's move away from structural adjustment programmes toward poverty reduction represents little more than window dressing and called for "a second liberation from global financial strangulation of mankind spearheaded by the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and the World Trade Organisation."[4]
The Open Forum aimed to share experiences by various social organizations, national and international NGOs, Jubilee South, the Norwegian Cancel the Debt Coalition (SLUG), ATTAC; peace- and human rights organisations, anti-globalisation initiatives and World Bank critics like SAPRIN. They criticized the World Bank for being undemocratic and becoming too powerful, at the cost of the United Nations. According to the organizers, the fundamentally undemocratic development hurt the poorest people in the world. They refuted the banks claims of reform saying it did not learn from its mistakes.[15]
Attac also organized a debate evening at University of Oslo where some World Bank representatives and critics met and discussed.[16]
Aftermath
A police representative was happy that the protest was calm and that everybody could enjoy the nice summer day in Oslo and protest at the same time. Gustav Fridolin of the Swedish Green Party who participated in the protest commented that the Norwegian police had learned from the mistakes of the Swedish police in Gothenburg the year before.[2] In his closing speech of the ABCDE conference David Hulme from Manchester University called (somewhat jokingly) for a "strategy for reduced arrogance". Several speakers had called for a reform of the World Bank where the fight against world poverty is taken seriously.[16]
^ abcBørringbo, Laus; Hans O. Torgensen (2002-06-24). "Ti tusen demonstranter i Oslos gater" (in Norwegian). Aftenposten. Retrieved 2008-10-10.
^ abcdHolmberg, Kalle (2002-06-24). "Lugn manisfestation i Oslo" (in Swedish). Dagens Nyheter. Retrieved 2008-10-10.
^"Fakta/Världsbankens forskarkonferens" (in Swedish). Dagens Nyheter. 2002-06-23. Retrieved 2008-10-10.
^ abcBevanger, Lars (2002-06-24). "Experts call for poverty action". BBC. Retrieved 2008-10-10.
^"World Bank conference moved to Norway". Nordic Business Report (M2 Communications Ltd). 2002-02-19. Retrieved 2008-10-10.
^Holmberg, Kalle (2002-06-23). "Världens fattigdom i fokus i Oslo" (in Swedish). Dagens Nyheter. Retrieved 2008-10-10.
^ abcHolmberg, Kalle; Pernilla Fagerström (2002-06-23). "Svensk utvisad från Norge" (in Swedish). Dagens Nyheter. Retrieved 2008-10-10.
^ ab (in Norwegian). 2002. Archived from the original on 2002-08-03. Retrieved 2008-10-11.
^Braathen, Einar; Reidun Heiene (2002-06-20). (in Norwegian). Aftenposten (debate article). Archived from the original on 2011-05-24. Retrieved 2008-10-11.
^ abHultgreen, Gunnar; Kristoffer Egeberg (2002-06-19). "Frykter gateslag i Oslo" (in Norwegian). Dagbladet. Retrieved 2008-10-10.
^ abcBerglund, Nina (2002-06-18). . Aftenposten. Archived from the original on 2011-05-24. Retrieved 2008-10-10.
^Andersen, Jon Even (2002-06-23). (in Norwegian). Aftenposten - NTB. Archived from the original on 2011-05-24. Retrieved 2008-10-10.
^Ljunggren, Petter (2002-06-24). "Demonstranter oroade över registrering" (in Swedish). Dagens Nyheter. Retrieved 2008-10-10.
^Wasim, K. Riaz; Jonathan Tisdall (2002-06-19). . Aftenposten. Archived from the original on 2011-05-24. Retrieved 2008-10-10.
^. Oslo 2002 website. 2002-06-23. Archived from the original on 2002-08-03. Retrieved 2008-10-11.
^ abHolmberg, Kalle (2002-06-26). "Arrogant avslutning i Oslo" (in Swedish). Dagens Nyheter. Retrieved 2008-10-11.
External links
(in Norwegian) (archived copy)
(archived copy)
Selected papers from the ABCDE-Europe meetings in Oslo 2002[permanent dead link] - from the World Bank website.
January 30, 2023
2002, world, bank, oslo, protests, during, world, bank, annual, bank, conference, development, economics, oslo, norway, 2002, large, globalization, critical, protests, were, held, coalition, many, organizations, organized, alternative, conference, demonstratio. During the World Bank Annual Bank Conference on Development Economics in Oslo Norway in 2002 large globalization critical protests were held A coalition of many organizations organized an alternative conference and a demonstration with more than 10 000 participants thus making it the largest mass mobilisation in Norway in recent history Before the protests there was much concern about violence and riots but the actual protest was almost entirely peaceful with a few minor incidents 1 2 World Bank Oslo 2002 ProtestsPart of the Anti globalization movementDemonstrators assembled before the marchDateJune 24 26 2002LocationOslo NorwayMethodsMarches Conference Contents 1 The conference 2 Purpose and organization of the protests 3 Prelude 4 Protest march 5 Alternative conference 6 Aftermath 7 See also 8 References 9 External linksThe conference EditThe World Bank has held its Annual World Bank Conference on Development Economics ABCDE since 1988 3 The June 24 26 2002 conference focused on poverty and on implementing the commitments made of the Monterrey Consensus from March the same year 4 The conference was held in the hills above Oslo in a hotel at Holmenkollen It was originally planned to be held in Stockholm Sweden but was moved to Oslo so as not to interfere with the 2002 Swedish general election 5 6 Purpose and organization of the protests EditThe protests were organized by Oslo 2002 an umbrella organization for about 50 participating organizations including labor unions political parties environmental organizations church organizations and ATTAC from Norway Sweden and Denmark 7 8 While each participant had its own reasons here were the Oslo 2002 network mottos Our world is not for sale stop the World Bank s undemocratic market policies Cancel Third World debt release the choke hold Free trade pollutes Yes to women and women s rights no to the World Bank Stop the World Bank s attack on labor rights The network claimed that the World Bank is an undemocratic institution used by rich nations to control poor countries 8 Einar Braathen and Reidun Heiene of ATTAC Norway and the Oslo 2002 network also criticized the bank for believing too much in market based solutions 9 Prelude EditIn the weeks leading up to the conference and protests there was much concern about possible violence The protests during the EU summit in Gothenburg 2001 were marred with vandalism and violent clashes between police and masked protesters The previous year s World Bank conference in Barcelona had to be cancelled and held online instead 4 Many protesters were expected from other countries especially neighboring Sweden and Denmark but also some other parts of Europe 10 Extra border patrols were put in place between Sweden and Norway a border that is normally uncontrolled There were lists of at least 500 persons who would not be allowed to enter the country 11 An 18 year old Swedish man was arrested in Oslo and later deported to Sweden Another nine were apprehended at the Svinesund border crossing but later released A bus with 27 Danish citizens was stopped and their passports were copied by the police Representatives for the protest organizers said the police should not arrest people who had committed no crime using anti terrorist laws because it would label all protesters as criminals 7 12 13 Some downtown merchants were afraid of vandalism Vehicles were not allowed to stop in downtown Oslo for five days buses and trains were stopped during the march and garbage cans were removed from the streets 11 14 900 Norwegian police officers trained before the conference at a temporary training ground on the closed Fornebu airport 20 courtrooms with judges were kept ready to handle urgent cases A special holding facility was also constructed The police primarily feared that unofficial protests after the large march would become violent especially the anarchist Blitz movement Another worry was provocation from counter demonstrations by neo nazi and extreme right wing groups 10 11 The organizers Oslo 2002 said they did not expect violence and they have been assured by the police there would be no provocations Masks were not allowed in the demonstration 7 Protest march Edit The marchers set off The march walking along Karl Johans Street with the Royal Palace in the background The protest march on June 24 started at 18 30 from Oslo Central Station and proceeded around central Oslo Over 10 000 people participated in the march that was described by news writers as peaceful colorful and carnival like At 19 45 the first marchers came back to Jernbanetorget along Karl Johans Street On the square there were speeches on the theme Var verden er ikke til salgs stopp Verdensbanken Our world is not for sale stop the World Bank 1 2 The police kept a low profile but waited nearby After the demonstration reached the end at least ten stones were thrown towards a McDonald s restaurant but without consequence The throwers were soon stopped by older participants 1 Later in the evening was an unorganized after party in a central city park which was also peaceful except for a quarrel between youths apparently over a personal conflict rather than for political reasons 2 Alternative conference EditAn alternative conference called Open Forum Apent Forum was held on Sunday 23 June It focused on the negative effects of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund The conference was opened by Kenneth Kaunda former president of Zambia He said the World Bank s move away from structural adjustment programmes toward poverty reduction represents little more than window dressing and called for a second liberation from global financial strangulation of mankind spearheaded by the International Monetary Fund the World Bank and the World Trade Organisation 4 The Open Forum aimed to share experiences by various social organizations national and international NGOs Jubilee South the Norwegian Cancel the Debt Coalition SLUG ATTAC peace and human rights organisations anti globalisation initiatives and World Bank critics like SAPRIN They criticized the World Bank for being undemocratic and becoming too powerful at the cost of the United Nations According to the organizers the fundamentally undemocratic development hurt the poorest people in the world They refuted the banks claims of reform saying it did not learn from its mistakes 15 Attac also organized a debate evening at University of Oslo where some World Bank representatives and critics met and discussed 16 Aftermath EditA police representative was happy that the protest was calm and that everybody could enjoy the nice summer day in Oslo and protest at the same time Gustav Fridolin of the Swedish Green Party who participated in the protest commented that the Norwegian police had learned from the mistakes of the Swedish police in Gothenburg the year before 2 In his closing speech of the ABCDE conference David Hulme from Manchester University called somewhat jokingly for a strategy for reduced arrogance Several speakers had called for a reform of the World Bank where the fight against world poverty is taken seriously 16 See also Edit2008 09 Oslo riotsReferences Edit a b c Borringbo Laus Hans O Torgensen 2002 06 24 Ti tusen demonstranter i Oslos gater in Norwegian Aftenposten Retrieved 2008 10 10 a b c d Holmberg Kalle 2002 06 24 Lugn manisfestation i Oslo in Swedish Dagens Nyheter Retrieved 2008 10 10 Fakta Varldsbankens forskarkonferens in Swedish Dagens Nyheter 2002 06 23 Retrieved 2008 10 10 a b c Bevanger Lars 2002 06 24 Experts call for poverty action BBC Retrieved 2008 10 10 World Bank conference moved to Norway Nordic Business Report M2 Communications Ltd 2002 02 19 Retrieved 2008 10 10 Holmberg Kalle 2002 06 23 Varldens fattigdom i fokus i Oslo in Swedish Dagens Nyheter Retrieved 2008 10 10 a b c Holmberg Kalle Pernilla Fagerstrom 2002 06 23 Svensk utvisad fran Norge in Swedish Dagens Nyheter Retrieved 2008 10 10 a b Om nettverket list of Oslo 2002 network members in Norwegian 2002 Archived from the original on 2002 08 03 Retrieved 2008 10 11 Braathen Einar Reidun Heiene 2002 06 20 Verdensbanken opp ned in Norwegian Aftenposten debate article Archived from the original on 2011 05 24 Retrieved 2008 10 11 a b Hultgreen Gunnar Kristoffer Egeberg 2002 06 19 Frykter gateslag i Oslo in Norwegian Dagbladet Retrieved 2008 10 10 a b c Berglund Nina 2002 06 18 Oslo braces for World Bank meeting Aftenposten Archived from the original on 2011 05 24 Retrieved 2008 10 10 Andersen Jon Even 2002 06 23 UDI vil utvise pagrepet demonstrant in Norwegian Aftenposten NTB Archived from the original on 2011 05 24 Retrieved 2008 10 10 Ljunggren Petter 2002 06 24 Demonstranter oroade over registrering in Swedish Dagens Nyheter Retrieved 2008 10 10 Wasim K Riaz Jonathan Tisdall 2002 06 19 Oslo prepares for street violence Aftenposten Archived from the original on 2011 05 24 Retrieved 2008 10 10 Open Forum Oslo 2002 website 2002 06 23 Archived from the original on 2002 08 03 Retrieved 2008 10 11 a b Holmberg Kalle 2002 06 26 Arrogant avslutning i Oslo in Swedish Dagens Nyheter Retrieved 2008 10 11 External links EditOslo 2002 Organizers website in Norwegian archived copy English website archived copy Selected papers from the ABCDE Europe meetings in Oslo 2002 permanent dead link from the World Bank website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 2002 World Bank Oslo protests amp oldid 1089455595, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
