AFTER SEZ -WHAT NEXT?

The decision of the State Government to close Goa to SEZ should not mean the end of the mobilizations against it. On the contrary it now offers concerned citizens the space to actively contemplate the nature of development that should be followed subsequently. The need for this contemplation is in fact urgent owing to the nature of the threats Goa has been facing for quite a while now; ever so often the State is faced with monstrous developmental packages that the people step up to oppose.

Why this opposition? Is there a coherent alternative that the people of Goa have in mind? If they do not, can this alternative nevertheless be constructed from the reasons for opposition to these developmental proposals? Further does the persistence of the State in proposing these projects indicate a failure to systematically conceive a developmental plan for the State? Would it be preferable to build on the State's existing assets rather than to build assets from scratch?

It is to think through some of these questions and prepare an agenda for a future that would see these questions answered more systematically, that the SEZ Watch Group is hosting a one day workshop AFTER SEZ: WHAT NEXT? on the 6th of January from 9.30 a.m to 5.30 p.m. The Workshop will be held in the International Centre Goa, Dona Paula.

This meeting is conceived of as a first in series of workshops and meetings that would allow us to contribute towards an alternative developmental plan for Goa based on consultations with various stakeholder groups, rigorous research and discussions with groups in the rest of the country. In doing so, we believe that we would be able to create a coherent framework within which future discussions can continue, and also elaborate a process through which groups that are particularly marginalized will also have a say.

This meeting is conceptualized by a informal group known as SEZ Watch. SEZ Watch was formed at the end of a round table on SEZ organized in December 2006 in which diverse groups had participated. We believe that there is need to include as many stakeholders in the process. As such, people's groups involved in the opposition to the SEZ and related projects are invited to join the Workshop.


Albertina Almeida Jason Fernandes
Convenor, SEZ Watch in Goa Workshop Co-ordinator