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ICCS Conference at Seattle, Ensuring Open Trade for Global Prosperity, Monday, 29 November 1999.

ICCS General Information

International Consumers for Civil Society

Mission
Principles
Programme Activities

International Consumers for Civil Society has been formed as an international umbrella group of market-oriented organizations located in different countries. Coalition members will participate as NGOs in international negotiations and meetings on policies that would have a significant impact on consumers.

International Consumers for Civil Society will emphasize the benefits of market economies for consumers world-wide. It will seize the high ground by showing, for example, that policies to restrict economic growth or technological advances such as biotechnology can have a devastating impact in developing countries.

Mission:

The mission of the ICCS is: (1) to promote on an international basis a market-oriented view on consumer policy issues through representing non-profit organizations that support the premise that consumer choice and competition best advance consumers' interests; and (2) to act as a clearinghouse for the exchange of information and ideas about market solutions to consumer concerns.

The aim of International Consumers for Civil Society is to leverage individual groups' work in the international arena on policy issues relating to consumers, promote proposals that rely on private rather than government solutions to consumer concerns, and counter proposals that would restrict consumer choice, competition, and advances in technology and would negatively affect the poor, especially those in developing countries.

Principles:

The following principles will guide the activities of the international group:

• Economic growth produces societies that are wealthier and healthier; international policies to restrict that growth can have devastating impacts, particularly on the poor in developing countries.

• A market economy benefits consumers by expanding consumer choice and competition and fostering innovation, which lowers costs and improves consumer health and safety.

• Informed consumers can make their own decisions in the marketplace and hold responsibility for those decisions.

• Government policies that restrict consumer choice and stifle competition harm consumers by substituting policymakers' values for individual values and raising the costs of goods and services to consumers.

• Sound science and sound economic data should underlie international policy relating to consumer issues.

The international organization will provide the members with representation in international bodies' deliberations and the opportunity for better information exchange -- joining resources, time, and man-power in the work on specific issues.

• Tracking international issues that have an important consumer impact.

• Tracking domestic issues that could become major international initiatives.

• Becoming an international Non-Governmental Organization with international agencies.

• Identifying important international consumer and environmental concerns and identifying ICCS members that have expertise in those areas.

• Enlisting ICCS member groups to serve as "lead groups" on specific issues.

• Participating in international meetings and negotiations on consumer and environmental issues

• Commenting on behalf of ICCS to international organizations on policy issues.
• Coordinating international activities - position papers, conferences, press statements, and publications, such as websites, research papers, issue briefs.

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