AFrL
The latest issue of Peacemaker, the newsletter of Afrl (Action from Ireland) details some of the work done over the last year including famine walks, world debt, refugees, world justice issues, organising against war in the Gulf, and work on Irish investments in the arms trade, and conferences (e.g. the environment as a justice issue). AFrL has to work on a shoestring budget and, while it has a comprehensive work plan in place for the next 3 years, urgently needs financial support particularly until the result of some funding applications currently in train. Minimum subscriptions (including Peacemaker) are IR£10 but donations of any size are welcome. AFrL, Grand Canal House, Lower Rathmines Road, Dublin 6. Phone 01- 498 85 S5/498 88 10, fax 408 85 02, E-mall afrl@tol.ie

Working Together In A Divided World – VrrrrrrMMmmmmm!
For trainee religious educators, WIM will run a two day exposure to local peace and reconciliation activities the local churches on the Springfield Road/Woodvale peace line of Belfast. Similar experiences wilt be run far youth, community and school groups through to easy 1990. Our other development education work is on the Jubilee 2000 Campaign for schools and parishes, which promotes debt relief for Third World countries. The Volunteer Missionary Movement (VMM - pun in title is mine - Ed.) is a lay ecumenical Christian agency platy volunteer to work in Africa. We draw on this experience for our education work from our Northern Ireland base. Contact:

Michael Hanly, 2 Workman Avenue, Belfast BT13 8FB, ph. 01232-312658 (Dublin VMM address is High Park, Grace Park Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9, ph 01-8816565).

Irish Council For Civil Liberties (ICCL)
A summary of ICCI 's submission to the National Crime Forum appears in the August issue of ICCL News, dealing with both the liberty and security of the person and the rights of a person suspected of a crime. Also included is a report on the ICCL AGM. ICCL, 14 Exchequer Street, Dublin 2, ph. 01-6779813, fax 8779311.

Northern Ireland Environment Link (NIEL)
NIEL is involved in a wide range of activities and information provision, including commenting on official politics and proposals, education end environmental awareness. Members receive a bimonthly fact sheet summarising recent events, activities and publications. NIEL also produces 7,000 copies of a Calendar of Environmental Events every two months on issues including bio-diversity and access to the countryside. Membership of NIEL is £15 for individuals, and ranges from £15 - £150 for groups (packs containing more information are available or you can ask for an application form}. Inclusion in the Calendar of Environmental Events is free, and it is also mailed out free of charge. NIEL, 77 Botanic Avenue, Belfast 877 1JL, phone 01282-314044.

Sustainable Communities Millennium Awards - this seeks to help individuals committed to improving some aspect of life in their local community through personal enterprise. £64,000 has already been allocated and round two of the scheme will be launched in October and about 125 awards, each averaging £2,500, will be made in early 1999. Contact: Projects Officer, Sustainable Communities Millennium Awards, at NIEL address above.

Enviroment Bulletin
Undoubtably the best source of information in the Irish Republic on official and general environmental issues is the Environment Bulletin produced quarterly by the Department of the Environment and Local Government, typicaly 48 pages A4. See www.environ.ie or contact Gordon Cavangh, Environment Policy Section, Dept. of the Environment and Local Government, Custom House, Dublin 1. Requests for inclusion on its mailing list should be sent to the editor: David Walsh, Environmental Awareness Section, Dept. of the Environment and Local Government, Custom House, Dublin 1.

Greens on Genetically Modified Organisms
Nuala Ahern, Green MEP, has aksed people to call on the Irish government to back Austria and Luxembourg's ban on the importation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). You can contact Tom Kitt at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Kildare Street, Dublin 2. The GMO labelling directive means, she writes, that 'When exemptions etc. are taken into account up to 90% of food containing GMOs will not have to be labelled. This is due to the fact that derivatives of genetically engineered crops will be exempt from labelling as will all genetically engineered additives' - Green Voice, July 1998. Green Party, 5a Upper Fownes Street, Dublin 2, Tel: 01-6790012 Fax: 6797168, Email: greenpar@iol.ie we: http://imsgrp.com/greenparty/index.htm

Women’s Federation for World Peace/Bridge of Peace Ceremony
INNATE has received information on the Women’s Federation for World Peace and a Bridge of Peace Ceremony at Glencree, Co. Wicklow, on 19^th September to which they are inviting Irish and British women. The invitation does not make clear links with the Unification Church though a general leaflet does mention that Mrs Moon (wife of the Unification Church leader) is international president of WFWP. For this reason we cannot recommend participation – but anyone wanting details directly can get them from WFWP at 19 North Great Georges Street, Dublin 1 Tel: 01-8729844, Fax: 8781985 Email: halvard@iol.ie

Editorial Comment: Omagh and the Aftermath
Enough words have already been written and spoken about the tragedy that was the Omagh bomb on 15th August, planted by the 'Real IRA', when 28 people were killed and a couple of hundred people injured, some very severely. The only comment at this stage from this writer is that, given the role of repressive legislation and security practices in fomenting 'the Troubles' over the last 30 years, it would be a tragedy if governmental 'draconian' measures succeeded in pulling paramilitarism out of the jaws of defeat - which is very definitely where internal military action is now - to a situation which in the future could accord sympathy for military activities. The slogan 'There is no way to peace - peace is the way' may seem trite but it is an important lesson which governments should not forget and we members of civil society would do well to perpetually remind them. - Ed.