What MESA does   How MESA came to be   Members of MESA	Trade agreements are the primary vehicle for economic globalization in Canada, the US and Mexico. MESA is a common table where Canadian, US and Mexican churches can share new information, analyze political and economic developments from time to time, and test the feasibility of common actions. Our communities and church leaders need to become more aware of the effects of globalization and trade agreements and need a table where they can learn from the experience of church communities throughout the continent. In this way, the churches' individual and collective witness will be more effective, grounded in local experience, and offer practical solutions to constructing an economy in the service of life in the Americas. The Plan of Action defines specifically the work of MESA, including: collecting endorsements, coordinating media work, educating and advocating on the basis of the Declaration for Just Trade in the Service of an Economy of Life. monitoring developments and negotiations in trade agreements in the Americas. Sharing church-related activities and worship resources organizing one to two common actions or events per year on relevant topics, such as trade and agriculture, trade and social services, or trade and human rights, for example. coordinating participation in major international events, such as UNCTAD, the UN Human Rights Commission, the UN Commission on Sustainable Development, the World Social Forum and so on. MESA was established in Mexico City on April 1, 2004 at a post-consultation steering committee meeting of the January 2004 Stony Point consultation on Just Trade Agreements? Churches in North America Addressing Globalization. Participants at the Stony Point consultation were inspired by the Biblical vision of the Economy of God that Douglas Meeks laid out before us. Beginning with the image of the kitchen table, Dr. Meeks described how the laws of God's household, or Economy of God, ensure that all are present at the table feast, and the invitation from God is for all to take their place at the table to share in the abundance of God's creation and life. While churches have been working on economic globalization issues for many years around the world (See also Towards an Economy in the Service of Life - a report of an ecumenical journey) MESA, or table, is a new forum for churches in North America to live out that Biblical vision and work together on trade and globalization issues for an economy in the service of life. Members of MESA are US, Mexican and Canadian church and ecumenical representatives. All participants from the Stony Point consultation and signers of the Declaration on Just Trade in the Service of an Economy of Life are invited to join. A Steering Committee of two members each from Canada, Mexico and the US guide the regular activities of MESA. The current Steering Committee members are: Stephen Allen, Justice Ministries, Presbyterian Church in Canada Jim Hodgson, Justice Global and Ecumenical Relations, United Church of Canada Maria Lourdes Villagómez Díaz, Centro des Estudios Ecuménicos Raúl Martínez Arreortua, Pastoral sociales, Diócesis de Valle de Chaqua Dennis Frado, Lutheran Office for World Community, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Rajyashri Waghray, Education and Advocacy, Church World Service Peter Noteboom, Justice and Peace, at The Canadian Council of Churches currently serves as seconded staff as the secretariat.