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Issue 128: April 2005

• Editorial: The church and John Paul II
• Editorial: The IRA at a fork in the road
• Eco-Awareness: Larry Speight goes Boa
• Workshop: Nonviolence - basis and forms of action
• Billy King mourns for Dave

AVPorating violence at a personal level
AVP, the Alternatives to Violence Project, recently held its AGM in Mountjoy Prison, Dublin, where the work of the last year was reviewed. In addition to courses/workshops in the community, workshops took place in five different prisons in the Republic during 2004, and the possibility is being examined of taking the work into schools. The officers were re-elected as follows: Grainne Carty, chair; Elma McMahon, secretary; Eileen Diver, treasurer. AVP welcomes invitations to organise workshops and while there have been no workshops over the last year in Northern Ireland, AVP is happy to look at workshops anywhere on the island. AVP has a three workshop model (Basic, Second Level, and third level or Training For Facilitators), each of which is run over a weekend or equivalent time; the programme is deliberately a mixture of games and more serious exercises and role play which explore violence and non-violence at a personal level and look at the concept of Transforming Power.. You can find out more by phoning 01 - 455 0352 or e-mail campbellrobert@eircom.net

Pitstop stop for Ploughshares Five
A mistrial was declared on 14th March in the trial at the Four Courts in Dublin of the Pitstop Ploughshares five (see NN 127, 126) and a retrial announced for 24th October this year. The judge called a halt after a week (though saying that in the interests of justice he could not reveal his reasons). See details at their website http://www.WarOnTrial.com and on http://www.indymedia.ie (use the search facility on latter).

New Centre director for Corrymeela
The newly appointed Centre Director for Corrymeela, Ballycastle, is Ronnie Millar, originally from Antrim and most recently working in the USA; he is likely to take up the post at the start of July. Meanwhile the Corrymeela magazine Connections currently features an interview with Ray Davey, founder of Corrymeela, on his 90th birthday (his war diaries are to be published in the autumn). Connections is free to Friends of Corrymeela who pay a minimum subscription of £24 waged, £12 unwaged (US$40 / 20). Corrymeela is also looking for long-term volunteers for work at Ballycastle from September, particularly people from Ireland. Corrymeela, 8 Upper Crescent, Belfast BT7 1NT, e-mail belfast@corrymeela.org and website http://www.corrymeela.org

Getting the skids on at Ringaskiddy
There is a Public Meeting and an Action Training Workshop on the proposed Ringaskiddy incinerator during April. The meeting 'Beyond incineration - Strategies for a Sustainable Future' takes place at The Tig Fili, McCurtain Street, Cork City, on Tuesday 19th April, 7.30-10pm with speakers from Ringaskiddy Residents, Cork Environmental Alliance and Grassroots Cork; it will be followed by themed discussions on what can we do to stop Indaver's incinerators. The Training for Action will take place at Tig Fili, MacCurtain Street, Saturday 23rd April 10am - 5pm and Sunday 24th April 10am - 2pm. It is using the proposed incinerator at Ringaskiddy as a focus but methods, tactics and strategies developed should be applicable in any situation in which a community wishes to take charge of its own destiny. The workshop will be facilitated by Joanne Sheehan, american anti-war and community activist. Donations will be taken to cover expenses. It is co-organised by Grassroots Cork and the Worker's Solidarity Movement. Queries to John at 085 7027828.

Getting your gab packed for International Volunteer Projects
The 2005 edition of the invaluable International Volunteer Projects book is now available from Service Civil International sections VSI (Voluntary Service International) in the Republic and IVS (International Voluntary Service) in the North. This details 500 short term opportunities, typically for 2 to 3 weeks, in around fifty countries with varied kinds of work, so varied that there should be something for everyone this summer.
- VSI are holding an 'International Volunteer Projects Info Day' on Saturday 9th April 2005, at the Irish Film Institute, 6 Eustace Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2; the book will be available and people can talk to experienced volunteers. The International Volunteer Projects Book is available at €4 from newsagents and bookshops in the Republic, or directly from VSI at 30 Mountjoy Square, Dublin 1, phone 01 - 8551011, call in or send a postal order / cheque for €4. The VSI website is at http://www.vsi.ie with a link to the online version at http://camps.sciint.org - IVS have the book available for postage (47p) within Northern Ireland and their website at http://www.ivsni.org also has a link to the international SCI directory. IVS, 34 Shaftesbury Square, Belfast BT2 7DB, phone 028 - 90238147. Meanwhile the IVS AGM takes place on Tuesday 12th April from 6 pm (refreshments) and 6.30pm speakers (Duncan Morrow of the Community Relations Council and Katie Hanlon of Ballynafeigh Community Development Association) - phone if you wish to attend.

Verging on Convergence
The amazink Convergence Festival, No.7, is almost upon us again, taking place from April 20th to 24th 2005
at the Cultivate Centre for Sustainable Living and Learning, 15-19 Essex Street West, Old City Temple Bar,
Dublin 8. The theme this quarter is Building Healthy Community
- Inspiring Culture, Redefining Progress. "Think Slow Food, optimum nutrition, green building, renewable energy, recycling, fair trade towns, eco-tourism, urban renewal, kids' creativity, art, photography, documentaries and Earth Day and you're only beginning to touch on the exciting array of topics explored in the packed programme." Most of the events happen in the Cultivate Sustainable Living Centre on Essex Street West, which is home to the festival organisers Sustainable Ireland. Cultivate is open Monday to Saturday, year-round, so if you want to find out more information on any aspects of sustainability, pick up a festival brochure, volunteer or book tickets for any event, feel free to call in or phone on 01-6746415. Or check out the website above which includes information on fees.

CCP's got a great big convoy
Sunday 10th April will see the 25th and largest ever send-off of humanitarian aid from Irish soil to Chernobyl-affected areas, since the Chernobyl Children's Project International was established. Consisting of 15 articulated trucks and 13 ambulances carrying €2.5 million worth of aid, this Convoy will deliver this aid to various orphanages, hospitals and homes throughout Belarus. The day's events on April 10 will get underway at 12 noon at the Laple Factory Grounds just outside Carlow town. There is a full programme of events lined up, including Irish dancers, a marching band and up and coming Irish band New Colour Soul. Adi Roche will launch the Convoy as it departs for Rosslare harbour before sailing on to Pembroke. All are welcome to the departure. For further information contact: Georgina Butler, Chernobyl Children's Project International, Phone 021-4312999, Mobil 086 2453820. See also the website (you can make secure donations via the website, or donate via bank transfer or cheque). Postal address; CCPI, Ballycurreeen Industrial Estate, Kinsale Road, Cork.

Securing fairness in a land of plenty
Kerry Diocesan Justice, Peace and Creation Committee and CORI Justice Commission present a seminar on Securing Fairness and Wellbeing in a Land of Plenty on Tuesday 26th April from 8.00 - 10.00 pm at St John's Pastoral Centre, Castle Street, Tralee. Admission is free, all welcome. Speakers are Fr Sean Healy and Sr Brigid Reynolds of CORI Justice Commission. It will address a range of issues, including both exclusion and lack of increased happiness with growing incomes. Queries to Sylvia Thompson at 06671-37484.

Amnesty NI
Amnesty International NI reports massive support for its campaign to Control Arms, calling on governments to agree a global Arms Trade Treaty to bring the trade in weapons under control - the current situation fuels conflict, poverty and human rights abuse. Meanwhile Saturday 16th April from 10am-2pm sees a training for those willing to speak in schools on behalf of Amnesty - new speakers welcome. AI-NI has been continuing its work of promoting human rights and a Bill of Rights in Northern Ireland. And membership has been growing with currently 13 local groups (Armagh, Belfast, Craigavon, East Antrim, Fermanagh, Foyle, Mid Down, Mid Ulster, Newry and Mourne, North Down, Omagh, Queen's University and the AI-NI office). Subscriptions are £30 family, £24 individual, £7.50 student/under22/claimant/senior citizen. Amnesty International, 397 Ormeau Road, Belfast BT7 3GP, web http://www.amnesty.org.uk/ni and phone 028 - 90643000.

FEASTA roadshow
FEASTA, the Foundation for the Economics of Sustainability, will be appearing at a few forthcoming events; 1) The Eco-Day on Saturday 9th April at the County Hall, Marine Road, Dun Laoghaire, 2) Small Woodlands at Work on Saturday 16th April, Moss Road, Clonbullogue, Edenderry, Co Offaly, and 3) The weekend only (23rd-24th April) of the Convergence Festival in Dublin. Meanwhile their latest e-bulletin has Tanaiste Mary Harney's incredible comments on the second FEASTA Review, 'Growth: The Celtic Cancer'. You can receive the bulletin directly by logging on to the website at http://www.feasta.org FEASTA, 10a Lower Camden Street, Dublin 2, e-mail feasta@anu.ie

Northern arms trade conference
Saturday 21st May (10 am - 4pm) sees an arms trade conference taking place in Belfast sponsored by INNATE and the Peace People, open to all interested and taking place at Frederick Street Friends Meeting House. Speakers include Peter Doran (Foyle Ethical Investment Campaign) and Patrick Corrigan (Amnesty International), plus others, and it is an opportunity to network and get up to date with the arms trade and arms production around the country, north, north-west and south, and opposition to it. Contact; phone 028 - 9029 3623, mobile 0771 511 0517, email: antiarmstradeday@ntlworld.com Fee for the day will be £5, unwaged £3, including a light lunch. Further details in the next edition of Nonviolent News.

Culture and Conflict: social challenges for tomorrow's Europe
Tuesday 19th and Wednesday 20th April sees a conference on this title taking place at the Radisson Roe Hotel, Limavady (Co Derry), hosted by the Northern Ireland Centre for European Co-operation (NICEC) based at the University of Ulster (its first international conference). Keynote speaker is Maurice Hayes. Case studies include the Basque Country, the Balkans and Cyprus as well as cultural and social regeneration of urban and rural areas. It is too late for initial bookings but queries can be made to Tanya Kelly by e-mail at nicec@ulster.ac.uk or by phone at 028 - 7137 5408. NICEC, Northland Road, Londonderry BT48 7JH.

IFOR on gender & nonviolence, Bertha van Suttner
IFOR has two new publications in its Patterns series; 1) Just Words: Quotations on Gender, Nonviolence and Peace (72-pages, € 7.50 / US$ 10 per copy) is a handy collection of inspiring quotations, from traditional proverbs to Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, on women, men, war and peace. 2) The Life of Bertha von Suttner and Her Legacy for Women Peacemakers Today (36-pages, € 5 / US$ 5 per copy) explores the life of the first woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and the heritage she left for peacemakers today. International Fellowship of Reconciliation, Spoorstraat 38, 1815 BK Alkmaar, Netherlands, phone +31 72 512 3014, fax +31 72 515 1102 and website http://www.ifor.org

Nonviolence youth camp, Palestine
Holy Land Trust and Quaker International Affairs Representatives are very pleased to invite you to the first "Summer Activists' Camp" to be held in Palestine this summer. The Summer Camp will offer ten days of training in strategic nonviolence and organizing skills to Palestinian and International college-age youth, the working language will be English. It will take place in a rural area outside of Bethlehem from 14-24 July. The goal is to empower young people to organize nonviolently on issues relevant to their communities (internationals will pay travel and $250). Details at http://www.holylandtrust.org/pnr_sc1.htm