Social enterprise such as the London ESF can contribute to London’s role as a global financial centre.
So far criticism about the London ESF has concentrated on its internal structures, especially the meetings. But that’s not important, the question is, what it’s for.
What vision of London and its future does the ESF promote? And what is the role of the ESF itself in that vision...?
Much of it is set out in the draft strategy for London’s future - “Sustaining Success” - which is the basis for GLA support for the ESF. The central belief is that London’s entire existence is dependent on its role, as one of the four global financial centres. The GLA approach to urban politics is that a city is comparable to a business, and that it is competing with other cities in a sort of global market of cities. What are they selling? Primarily, they are selling themselves as an investment location. In London’s case that overrides all other aspects. Smaller cities sell themselves as a residential or tourist location, London doesn’t need to do that. The GLA sees London’s competitors in Europe as Frankfurt, Milan, Brussels, Paris and Amsterdam.
So the whole idea of a city, in this view, is that it exists simply in order to compete with other cities, in this case for inward investment. The strategy document says:
“London has for some time been the market leader for inward investment amongst large European cities. According to Ernst and Young,in 2002 London succeeded in attracting 120 new inward investment projects (compared with about 60 in the Paris region). London is also an important location for international headquarters, with over 30 per cent of the Fortune Global 500 companies located here. As the international economy becomes more competitive (particularly with the UK being outside the Euro area),it is essential for London ’s continued success that it continues to be regarded as the City in Europe in which to do business. This will require a continued focus on both fundamentals – London ’s workforce, infrastructure, quality of life, cost base and regulatory environment – and effective promotion and marketing...”
So how does the GLA see the ESF in this context? Not as opposition to inward investment, but as a partner in selling London..
“Social enterprises and voluntary sector organisations are important both as a sector of the economy and as partners in delivering policies covered in this strategy.”
The GLA sees society as important, but only because it is important for business. This is why something like the ESF can be integrated into a promotional strategy. According to the strategy document...
“London needs to promote itself to its own people and businesses,not only so that they spend and re-invest in the city, but also to develop a sense of civic pride and commitment, and to ensure that the cultural and social benefits of living in a world city are available to all of its people. The confidence engendered by a strong and positive self-image has enabled cities such as New York and Barcelona to reap benefits from visitors and investment.”
Similarly, culture is seen as a promotional activity, it is simply part of the business strategy. The GLA is explicit about seeing London as a business, and culture as a marketing tool...
“It is recognised that a variety of approaches will be required to address the different target audiences that London ’s partners are trying to address....London can be seen in the same way as a company promoting a portfolio of products across a range of markets – using specific techniques to attract different market segments. What London ’s marketing strategy needs to do, therefore, is deliver a range of targeted messages that reinforce one another and build a positive and coherent image, promoting London as a place, promoting London to people and promoting London as a place for people to do business. London also hosts a wide variety of other cultural events – including London Film Week, London Fashion Week and London Design Week – that can be used to raise the profile of London ’s cultural industries.”
The GLA does not hide social issues, but sees them entirely in this context of the global market:..
“...tackling problems of social exclusion,child poverty and health inequality insofar as they undermine economic prosperity.”
In other words these are no longer seen as moral issues: children can die on the streets - so long as that doesn’t undermine the general economic prosperity. The rights or wrongs are assessed solely in terms of London’s success in the market of cities.
The ESF is for the GLA a place to promote this ideology. It is also part of the marketing strategy itself - an example of vibrant social enterprise, which will attract many visitors from abroad. And the ESF is a meeting of stakeholders, and those who are active in London are possible partners in the ‘delivery’ of GLA strategy.
What vision of London and its future does the ESF promote? And what is the role of the ESF itself in that vision...?
Much of it is set out in the draft strategy for London’s future - “Sustaining Success” - which is the basis for GLA support for the ESF. The central belief is that London’s entire existence is dependent on its role, as one of the four global financial centres. The GLA approach to urban politics is that a city is comparable to a business, and that it is competing with other cities in a sort of global market of cities. What are they selling? Primarily, they are selling themselves as an investment location. In London’s case that overrides all other aspects. Smaller cities sell themselves as a residential or tourist location, London doesn’t need to do that. The GLA sees London’s competitors in Europe as Frankfurt, Milan, Brussels, Paris and Amsterdam.
So the whole idea of a city, in this view, is that it exists simply in order to compete with other cities, in this case for inward investment. The strategy document says:
“London has for some time been the market leader for inward investment amongst large European cities. According to Ernst and Young,in 2002 London succeeded in attracting 120 new inward investment projects (compared with about 60 in the Paris region). London is also an important location for international headquarters, with over 30 per cent of the Fortune Global 500 companies located here. As the international economy becomes more competitive (particularly with the UK being outside the Euro area),it is essential for London ’s continued success that it continues to be regarded as the City in Europe in which to do business. This will require a continued focus on both fundamentals – London ’s workforce, infrastructure, quality of life, cost base and regulatory environment – and effective promotion and marketing...”
So how does the GLA see the ESF in this context? Not as opposition to inward investment, but as a partner in selling London..
“Social enterprises and voluntary sector organisations are important both as a sector of the economy and as partners in delivering policies covered in this strategy.”
The GLA sees society as important, but only because it is important for business. This is why something like the ESF can be integrated into a promotional strategy. According to the strategy document...
“London needs to promote itself to its own people and businesses,not only so that they spend and re-invest in the city, but also to develop a sense of civic pride and commitment, and to ensure that the cultural and social benefits of living in a world city are available to all of its people. The confidence engendered by a strong and positive self-image has enabled cities such as New York and Barcelona to reap benefits from visitors and investment.”
Similarly, culture is seen as a promotional activity, it is simply part of the business strategy. The GLA is explicit about seeing London as a business, and culture as a marketing tool...
“It is recognised that a variety of approaches will be required to address the different target audiences that London ’s partners are trying to address....London can be seen in the same way as a company promoting a portfolio of products across a range of markets – using specific techniques to attract different market segments. What London ’s marketing strategy needs to do, therefore, is deliver a range of targeted messages that reinforce one another and build a positive and coherent image, promoting London as a place, promoting London to people and promoting London as a place for people to do business. London also hosts a wide variety of other cultural events – including London Film Week, London Fashion Week and London Design Week – that can be used to raise the profile of London ’s cultural industries.”
The GLA does not hide social issues, but sees them entirely in this context of the global market:..
“...tackling problems of social exclusion,child poverty and health inequality insofar as they undermine economic prosperity.”
In other words these are no longer seen as moral issues: children can die on the streets - so long as that doesn’t undermine the general economic prosperity. The rights or wrongs are assessed solely in terms of London’s success in the market of cities.
The ESF is for the GLA a place to promote this ideology. It is also part of the marketing strategy itself - an example of vibrant social enterprise, which will attract many visitors from abroad. And the ESF is a meeting of stakeholders, and those who are active in London are possible partners in the ‘delivery’ of GLA strategy.
Comments
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SWP, UNISON, et al
08.03.2004 15:28
Krop
Homepage:
http://www.agp.org
interesting post
08.03.2004 15:56
the visitor
we need a mass movement to fight the power
08.03.2004 17:13
1. they have the money, as we can see the event is going to cost shitloads of cash, we dont have capitalists to sponsor this event(we would'nt want them anyway).
2.Yes livingstone is a toss pot on alot of issues(the biggest is sucking up to blair&co), but to be fair he was a strong advocate against the war. (he correctly said, bush is the most dangerous person in the world).also he has supported anti racist festivals since being major.
3.livingston represents a large section of the working class and people will identify with him. the people attending the ESF, i hope, will consist of a board section of the population, not just people who belong to small parties and who read indymedia. if we are ever going to destroy the capitalist system we need the majority on our side. i.e the more who attend the better.
red letter
More information please
08.03.2004 22:06
How much is the GLA founding? In another report there were information that GLA is founding nothing, however, GLA will sitting in the chair and do great speeches ?
And the same question about the unions ?
How is the support from those organizations in fact ?
.
Curious
Hmmm
09.03.2004 00:43
the GLA will be to accomodate everyone who believes in an alternative if it clashed with next years G8?
Oi!
trade unions are central to the funding
09.03.2004 13:15
not sure how much if any the gla have given to date but has important role of raising the profile of the event inside the trade unions .
what i know is that london region unison has given £50,000 towards the event amongst others.
it has backing of over 70 organisations and by the beginning of april organisations will be able to propose workshops and seminars for the ESF.
offical website is www.fse-esf.org
contact the committee at
red letter
ken livingstone!!
10.03.2004 11:53
even though "red ken" urged people not to attend 50,000 plus were united. kens idea was that we should not directly confront the fascists, instead, we should have paraded around central london (as a touris spectacle??), ineffectually parading with union banners aloft.
another thing, a few years ago a full page advertisement in the evening standard, taken out by the very same man, urged people not to attend the "unofficial" may day event.
this guy has constantly sort to divide when he is not in control. and personally, seeing him as i do as a bigger barrier towards real change happening, i would not hesitate in lining him up against the wall........................................bang!bang!bang!
no body in particular
Ways of Funding the ESF in London
18.03.2004 07:14
Transport Costs
Assumptions, 50 000 people attend, 80% (40 000) use public transport around London
No concessions are granted by Transport for London.
Two, weekend travel cards are required at €10.00 each (total €20.00)
Marginal Costs to Transport for London negligible for the increase in traffic, ( I know but for emphasis)
Increase in Revenue for Transport for London
40 000 * €20.00
Total
€800 000
Rumoured contribution of GLA to ESF organisation costs £450 000 (€675 000)
It would seen that we could legitimately ask that the GLA/Transport for London accord free transport for delegates as a contribution to ensuring the ESF is inclusive and not exclusive.
Maybe the writer of this article on IndyMedia has a point about the role of the GLA
an economist
Homepage:
http://www.esf2004.net
double struggle
18.03.2004 08:00
someone
livingstone...
18.03.2004 11:12
and thank you economist for pointing out the greater possibilities for 'funding' from the GLA - the promise of money should not make us uncritical and we shouldn't lose sight of the benefits london and the gla will get out of it. as livingstone mught say, we are an asset...
on livingstone, not only did he urge people not to attend may day but he praised the police handling of the event and said the protestors were indeed violent thugs, or something along the line...
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