The StreetNet International launch at the Coastlands Hotel, Durban, South Africa, was opened on the evening of 12 November 2002 by Ela Bhatt, the founder of the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) of India. Bhatt said the occasion heralded an important step forward for organisation of the informal economy and the achievement of their economic rights. She traced the progress that had been made since the groundbreaking meeting of street traders in Bellagio, Italy where it was recognised that street traders face similar problems in most of the world’s cities (see full report in this issue) and need to forge alliances.

The opening dinner was attended by participants and 72 invited guests who included local government representatives, researchers and organisations that worked in co-operation with StreetNet during the three-year preparations for the launch from 2000 - 2002.

Mbu Mchunu, StreetNet Steering Committee member, reported to guests and participants on the work of the organisation and that it had achieved the goals it had set since January 2000. In his address, Durban Deputy Mayor, Logie Naidoo, told guests and participants that Durban was committed to a policy on the informal economy where street traders are recognised as valued economic actors and citizens of the Unicity. He warmly welcomed the international street trader organisations’ delegates to Durban.

At the start of proceedings on Wednesday 13th, 54 participants from 17 countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America briefly introduced themselves and their organisations. The next session was on the adoption of the constitution.The draft constitution had been circulated prior to the conference and revisions based on comments and suggestions from participants were the basis of the discussion. The conference decided that the name of the organisation will be StreetNet International, and the entire constitution (with some amendments) was adopted unanimously.

Participants inspected the different logo designs which had been prepared. Some organisations sent suggestions for the specifications for a logo. One design was clearly popular among most participants and a long discussion took place on how to adapt it. It was agreed to develop the logo in line with the ideas agreed upon and to present it to the first International Congress for final adoption.

Delegates adopted three policy resolutions put to the floor on questions that were identified as important in guiding the organisation at StreetNet regional workshops in Africa, Asia and Latin America. A resolution was passed extending condolences to the family of Kasuba Mwamba, the vice-president of the Alliance of Zambian Informal Economy Associations (AZIEA), who passed away in a motor accident in Zambia on the way back from the airport on Tuesday 12 November after seeing off the Zambian delegate to the launch.

Party Political policy

•  StreetNet International will retain a position of neutrality in relation to all political parties in all the countries where StreetNet has member organisations.
•  StreetNet will support policies which are favourable to street and market vendors and hawkers only on the basis of the issues.
•  StreetNet will pressurise and lobby all political parties and governments in all countries to support the policies on the regulation and development of services and facilities for street and market vendors and hawkers which StreetNet is promoting.

• StreetNet will focus primarily on the needs of the poorest street and market vendors and hawkers, including the particular needs of women vendors.
• StreetNet is committed to building strong leadership among the poorest and most disadvantaged vendors, particularly women.
• StreetNet will continue to work in alliance with the international trade union movement and its affiliated national organisations, the international co-operative movement, credit organisations and other organisations which are promoting the collective self-empowerment of the poorest workers in the formal and informal economy through democratic accountable membership-controlled organisations.

• StreetNet International aims and seeks to become financially self-sufficient, for the sake of accountability and commitment of member organisations, who will be required to pay affiliation fees; other means of fundraising will also be identified and pursued.

Another six policy resolutions were handed in from the floor, on the following topics:

1. Encouraging mergers into national alliances (WEAZ, Zambia)
2. Circumstances under which member organisations could be expelled from StreetNet (ASOMIVAN, Costa Rica)
3. Promoting the rights of street vendors (Alternativa, Peru)
4. Promoting subsistence and development of street and market vendors (Alternativa, Peru)
5. In protest of the Korean government’s driving of a street vendor to his death (NFSVK, Korea)
6. Partnership-building (KATINIG, Philippines)

As there was not sufficient time left to discuss these resolutions, it was agreed that they would be typed and circulated to all participants after the launch, with the purpose of tabling them for adoption by the Interim Committee or the International Congress.

The draft 3-year plan for 2003-2005 had been circulated prior to the launch. During discussion there was agreement on the following:

StreetNet should gather information about areas outside of Latin America, Asia and Africa, particularly the developing world. Work in these areas, particularly Central America and the Caribbean, should start based on the information gathered.

It was agreed that member organisations of StreetNet should pay a joining fee of $50 on registration, and thereafter an annual fee which should be proportional to the size of membership. This annual fee should be determined by the Interim Committee and finalised by the International Congress at its first meeting, due in early 2004.

Information should be gathered on legislation and constitutional provisions in different countries/cities on livelihood rights, human rights and other provisions, to assist organisations taking up legal battles. This is something StreetNet could ask the Law & Informal Economy project of WIEGO’s Organisation and Representation programme to do.

In many countries there are legal clauses regarding the right to work and the use and recovery of public space, which are contradictory in the case of street vendors and their experience, and which need to be challenged.

In the Philippines there is a very good law on the rights of street vendors to earn and develop their livelihoods on the streets - Ordinance 452 - but it is not implemented. In fact, we have been receiving regular reports about harsh crackdowns on street vendors in Manila. It was agreed that StreetNet should pilot a campaign for the implementation of Ordinance 452 in the Philippines.

StreetNet needs to ensure the representation of street vendors’ organisations in international labour forums such as the International Labour conferences of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the International Confederation of Trade Unions (ICFTU), and other forums such as international conferences of Mayors, etc.

There have been policy dialogues in India and Ghana, and as a result in Ahmedabad street vendors are being harassed less than before. It was agreed that policy dialogues should be arranged in more countries.

The Bellagio Declaration needs to be revised and updated to produce a new Code, or Declaration, which could be used with municipalities, and parts of it even incorporated into law.

StreetNet needs to meet with WIEGO’s Social Security programme about work on the social security needs of street vendors, market vendors and hawkers specifically. The focus should be on social protection for mothers, children and the elderly, as well as business insurance.

Member organisations wishing to put forward specific proposals for adoption as StreetNet projects, should send detailed proposals. The International Council would have to consider such proposed projects, and if it is agreed that it should be taken on as a StreetNet project, StreetNet would have to allocate existing funds if there are, or try to raise funds for it. Such projects would include the following types of activities:

• marketing projects, including import-export trade between member organisations;
• technical assistance on trade issues;
• reform of laws and regulations;
• organising projects (organising street vendors);
• fights against corruption;
• empowering vendors not to be dependent on intermediaries.

StreetNet would probably not be able to raise much funding for the expenses of member organisations. However, the best way to build the capacity of member organisations to support themselves would be by StreetNet arranging fundraising training, and providing contact details of donors for member organisations to approach directly for funds. Member organisations will then develop their own independent relationships with donors.

It was agreed that the story of Park Bong-Gyu, who had immolated himself in protest as a result of the poor treatment received at the hands of the Korean authorities, should be published in the StreetNet newsletter and the website (see this issue for full report). StreetNet member organisations should hand letters of protest to their Korean embassies and consulates, as requested by the National Street Vendors’ Federation of Korea (NFSVK). It was pointed out that there are many countries where street vendors are being viciously oppressed, such as in Colombia where large numbers of people are regularly being assassinated, and agreed that details of such oppression should be forwarded to StreetNet for similar publication in the newsletter and website. StreetNet will circulate these reports to member organisations and appeal for international support.

The first properly constituted International Congress is scheduled to take place in March 2004.

The full three-year plan and constitution, as adopted by the conference, are available on StreetNet’s website - http://www.streetnet.org.za

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