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NODE: Development Education With Knobs On
All members of NODE, the Network of Grassroots Development Education groups, actively contribute to raising local and global development issues within their own communities. This is done through a variety of projects on a number of different themes relating to global interdependence. NODE works on its members' behalf to develop capacity through training initiatives, to facilitate information, sharing and joint activities and to heighten the profile of grassroots development education at local, national and international levels. The detailed newsletter 'NODE News' is published 5 times a year and is available by subscription for £10; each issue takes a particular theme (currently No.49 on advertising and community radio, next issue, volunteering) as well as news from groups etc; included with the NODE News mailing is an events calendar. NODE also has a contacts list available of groups working in the field of development and human rights. NODE, 10 Upper Camden Street, Dublin 2. Tel: 01 - 475 1998, Fax: 478 3738. E-mail: office@nodenet.org  Web: www.nodenet.org Click here to view list...

AFrI Peace and Justice Conference: 
Securing Our Future
The annual AFrI/Action from Ireland peace and justice conference, titled 'Securing Our Future', will take place in Kildare town on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th January. Speakers at the Saturday session include Andy Storey, Helen Stevens, Irwin Harbottle, Ed Horgan and Ray Murphy, and there will be workshops on a variety of topics including Iraq, Colombia, the arms trade etc. On Sunday the main speaker will be Michael Lapsley of South Africa. Further details from AFrI, Grand Canal House, Lower Rathmines Road, Dublin 6. Tel: 01 - 496 8595, Fax: 496 8592, E-mail: afri@iol.ie 

PRG - Peace and Reconciliation Group, L'Derry
PRG has recently completed two major programmes - one a year long journey for 15 - 18 year olds called 'Youth and Citizenship' which included work on both identity and improving society, the other project completed was a cultural exchange programme including a trip to Germany. Two new programmes are now underway; a yearlong single identity programme, 'Changing Relations', for adults in loyalist communities in the Waterside, and this January PRG will be offering a 'Women taking part, talking politics' course to various community groups in the city. Anyone interested in participating in the facilitators training programme can contact Catherine Cooke, PRG Projects Officer. PRG can provide customised training for community groups in the Derry City Council area. If you're interested in supporting PRG's work you can join - membership forms are available from the office and will soon be on the new PRG web site - www.peaceprg.fsnet.co.uk  PRG, 18 - 20 Bishop Street, L'Derry (Stroke-me-gently City) BT48 6PW. Tel: 028 - 71 363168, Fax: 71 373009, Email: PeacePRG@aol.com 

NASC - Irish Immigrant Support Centre in Cork
While we frequently hear about examples of Irish racism, there are also some tremendous examples of community and religious initiatives to support refugees and asylum seekers around the country. One such example is Nasc (= link) in Cork which is a local non-governmental organisation seeking to respond to the growing number of immigrants in the Munster area. It tries to act as a link with voluntary and statutory services and the Centre serves as a social space where people can meet, exchange information and break down cultural and linguistic barriers. They have small groups working on issues like English-language training, welfare. outreach, women's group, the arts (musical instruments needed), sports, legal, interpreting, maintenance of the building, etc; volunteers welcome. You can check out Nasc through http://migration.ucc.ie  (note there are two contact points on the title page, one is more detailed including immigrant accounts). The coordinator at Nasc is Brendan Hennessy. Nasc, Irish Immigrant Support Centre, St Marie's of the Isle, Sharman Crawford Street, Cork. Tel: 021 - 431 7411, Fax: 431 7402, Email: iisc@eircom.net 

International Training:
Nonviolence In War or Armed Conflict
Kurve Wustrow in Germany are organising another English-language international training on 'Nonviolence in the context of war or armed conflict' from 29 June - 15 July 2001. It is particularly intended for activists from local peace, human rights and reconciliation groups, people interested in nonviolent third-party intervention, persons involved in education in crisis areas and those working with refugees. Cost inc food, accommodation and programme is DM 1200 (get in touch if this is difficult). Trainers are Jill Sternberg, Stella Tamang and Hagen Berndt. Numbers limited and closing date 15th March; written application & references needed (request info). KURVE Wustrow, Kirchstr. 14, 29462 Wustrow, Germany, Email: kurve-wustrow@oln.comlink.apc.org 

Spirit of Enniskillen Applications
This encourages young people (16 - 19) to broaden their horizons by travelling to other countries to gain first hand knowledge how people from different backgrounds have learned to live together. Visits are undertaken by mixed groups and to be eligible people must live in Northern Ireland. On their return they're expected to share and use their experiences. Deadline for 2001 applications is 20th December 2000. You can get application forms directly or from the web site www.soetrust.co.uk The Spirit of Enniskillen Trust, The Warehouse, 7 James Street South, Belfast BT2 8DN. Tel: 028 9023 3080, Fax: 9033 1977, Email: info@soetrust.co.uk 

Cwlwm Cymod Cymru-Corrymeela
Corrymeela Link in Wales (see NN 80) is up and running and there'll be a Corrymeela Sunday special service at Bangor Cathedral in Gwynedd at 3pm on 19th March where it will be a bilingual service with representation from Corrymeela and Northern Ireland. All welcome. Other projects in the pipeline include exchange visits and retreats at The Centre for Christian Unity and Renewal at Pontrobert. Contact; Nia Rhosier, Ty Hen Gapel John Hughes, Pontrobert, Meifod, Powys SY22 6JA, Cymru. Tel: 01938 - 500631.

Amnesty International :
Friendship Bracelet Day, Dalai Lama
Irish Amnesty International will again be selling Friendship Bracelets (made by street children and fair trade coops in Guatemala) on 14th February 2001. Supporters required to sell them at £1 each on the streets and in factories, schools, offices, shops etc. Freephone 1800 266378 (in Republic) or Email: fgbd@amnesty.iol.ie 

Nonviolent Interventions
The issue of what it is possible to do in conflict and violent situations by way of nonviolent interventions is a tricky one which requires detailed analysis and learning. It is often possible but it requires skill. The current issue of 'Peace News' features 17 pages on the topic including contacts and a listing of types of intervention. Single issues of 'Peace News' are priced at UK£2.50, subscriptions are £10 for 4 in UK or equivalent of UK£15 outside (enquire for specific countries). Peace News, 5 Caledonian Road, London N1 9DY. Tel: +44 20 7278 3344, Fax: 7278 0444, Email: peacenews@gn.apc.org  Web: http://www.gn.apc.org/peacenews 

Interreligious And International Federation For World Peace
This is organising a conference on the topic 'Character, Family and Public Service: Building a Culture of Peace' at the Grand Hotel, Malahide on Friday 15th December. The founder of this body is the Rev Sun Myung Moon of the Unification Church (colloquially known as 'Moonies') which would usually be seen as politically reactionary. For this reason INNATE could not recommend participation but it's up to you. IIFWP, Unity House, 19 Great Georges Street, Dublin 1. Tel: 01 - 872 9844, Fax: 878 1985, Email: info@irishfamily.org 

Note
We are organising a seminar on local involvement in the arms trade to take place in March 2001. Anyone interested welcome. Queries to Rob at 028 - 90 64 71 06.