Judith Valencia of the Central University of Venezuela, participating in the 7th International Meeting of Economists on Globalization and Development Problems at Havana Conference Center, recalled that the ALBA idea came up after Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez participated in a meeting about the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) held in Canada, 2001. ALBA is the best choice to challenge Washington´s FTAA project to control the economies of Latin American nations. The Bolivarian alternative is against capitalist hegemony over human rights and aims at providing people with a dignified lifestyle, according to the expert. Osvaldo Mart¡nez, president of the Cuban Parliament Commission on Economic Affairs, said ALBA represents an alternative of resistance and integration. "Latin America is ready to fulfill this goal," he added. The Cuban deputy said neoliberalism has failed because its supporting governments have given priority to trade with dependence on the United States and fostered fierce competition among countries of the region. Neoliberalism promotes privatization and follows lucrative interests only. It fails to target social issues such as the basic problems of Latin America including illiteracy, health care, culture and reliable information. Latin America currently is in a difficult situation for integration, given the crossroads of choosing between the FTAA project and the ALBA alternative. "Without some kind of alternative globalization, there is no possibility to solve the needs of the countries of the region," Argentinian Professor Julio Gambina said. Other informations LatAm Presidents Pay Tribute to Bolivar ALBA Summit Starts in Venezuela Machado Ventura in Venezuela for ALBA Summit Role of ALBA in Educational Training Underlined from Venezuela ALBA-PETROCARIBE Summit on World Crisis ALBA to Participate in Uruguayan Expo Prado -Cuba and Venezuela Review ALBA Progress -New ALBA Challenges Neolibs - Venezuela, Bolivia Boost ALBA -Cuban Vice President Highlights Progress Towards Latin American Integration
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