ECOTOPIA @ The Kingdom, The Republic
This year's European Ecotopia festival takes place on the Dingle peninsula, Co Kerry, from 10th - 24th August with the theme of Conflict Resolution. Ecotopia has been held in various locations around Europe over the last decade and is organised by European Youth For(est) Action, this year in association with Gluaiseacht for Global Justice in Ireland . Ecotopia tries to be a functional model of a self-sustainable community, putting principles into practice with waste recycling, vegetarian kitchen, consensus decision making, use of alternative energy etc, and is attended by 200 - 600 participants. It is a place to exchange experiences and spread information.

It is expected that there will be 60 or more workshops on topics like conflict resolution (how local and global conflict resolution can be achieved), climate change, non-violent direct action, consensus decision making, the nuclear waste trade etc. plus other activity-based workshops. Workshops are needed - contact suckola@hotmail.com as soon as possible if you've a suggestion or would like to do one; the organisers particularly want to encourage participative and role-play based workshops.

Accommodation will be camping. Each day will begin with a morning circle and announcements. There will be a crθche and fun youth workshops. Help is needed 3 - 10 August to get the site ready, and there is a materials 'needs list' given on the website which gives a detailed overview of the event: www.ecotopia2002.org The organisers can be contacted by e-mail at ecotopia2002@subdimension.com ( info@ecotopia2002.org may also be online shortly) or by phone to 087 - 773 2508 (00 353 and drop the first '0' from outside the Republic).

Nuclear Disarmament - Towards securing a global future for humanity
The demise of the Cold war meant the call for nuclear disarmament weakened, and the review of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty of 2000 saw nuclear states give an unequivocal commitment to disarmament. But now the USA intends developing usable nuclear weapons as opposed to holding them as weapons on last resort, plus there is the weaponisation of space. Pax Christi are organising a major seminar on the above topic on the morning of Wednesday 19th June ( 9.30 a.m. - 1.00 p.m. ) in the Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin . Speakers include Jayantha Dhanapala, Under-Secretary General for Disarmament Affairs with the UN, Senator Douglas Roche, Scilla Elworthy, Bruce Kent and Jonathan Granoff, with Bryan Dobson in the chair; they await confirmation from the Minister for Foreign Affairs. While admission is free (donation towards costs requested) please indicate your attendance to; Pax Christi, 52 Lower Rathmines Road, Dublin 6, phone 01 - 496 5293, fax 496 5492, and e-mail paxtdc@indigo.ie). Subscriptions to Pax Christi are €25 individual or €10 individual unwaged.

WRI* Triennial related events in Dublin and Belfast

• Dublin on Friday 28th June sees a workshop on "Dealing with the Past" facilitated by Roberta Bacic and Lizzy Stanley; this takes place at the Glencree Centre, Co Wicklow, from 9.30 - 4.30 and the fee is €15, lunch included; bookings to the WRI office, below. A chance to deal with the topic and meet others involved in the Triennial; in the evening Musicians Opposing War will play in Dublin .

• Belfast , 12th August sees a one-day seminar entitled 'A world of nonviolence' using input from some of the participants in the WRI Triennial which will have just finished in Dublin . This will be an informal affair with different workshops and personal interactions. Anyone interested is welcome and the seminar will run from 10.30 - 4.30 and take place at Friends Meeting House, Frederick Street . Check with INNATE or see next Nonviolent News for further details.

• And if you haven't got details of the *WRI/War Resisters International Triennial, the main part runs from 3rd - 9th August at DCU, Dublin ; day participation is possible. Details from; WRI Triennial Office, 84 Templeville Drive , Templeogue, Dublin 6W, phone 01 - 406 3060, e-mail dublin@wri-irg.org or on the WRI website at www.wri-irg.org/tri/2002  

Decision Making – 
Forget the film, get the CD-ROM
The de Borda Institute has developed a CD Rom on decision making which it will be launching in the autumn, price £25 to individuals or £100 for institutions. You can choose up to 14 options, print a ballot paper and get votes, voting 1 for a first preference, 2 for second etc. Fed into the computer, the results can be presented according to 8 different counting procedures; majority/plurality (as in most parliaments), two-round voting, alternative (single transferable vote - the PR version of which is used in Irish elections), approval voting (as used in some UN internal elections), the Borda count, the modified Borda count, serial voting, and the Condorcet count. The use of the modified Borda or Condorcet counts can facilitate the identification of voters' common consensus or best compromise - and can be used in conflict mediation or prevention. Contact; Peter Emerson , Director, The de Borda Institute, 36 Ballysillan Road, Belfast BT14 7QQ, phone 028 - 9071 1795, e-mail pemerson@deborda.org and website www.deborda.org  

G8 more than its fair share of the global dinner
The G8 world leaders summit takes place in the Rocky Mountains from 26th - 27th June, far away (they hope) from protesters, but we can still make sure our frustration at their broken promises is heard. Join in calling for a speedy end to the debt crisis on Monday 24th June, 12.30 p.m. , at the top of Grafton Street , Dublin , to march to the Canadian embassy (corner of Earlsfort Terrace and St Stephen's Green). You can also contact the Canadian Prime Minister or Embassy with your views.(details available). Organised by the Debt and Development Coalition Ireland , All Hallows, Grace Park Road , Drumcondra, Dublin 9, phone 01 - 857 1828, e-mail ddc@connect.ie and web www.debtireland.org  

Pushing out the Peace Boat
Ballynafeigh Community Development Association in south Belfast (which is involved in a wide-range of community development and anti-sectarian work) is hosting a visit by the Japanese NGO Peace Boat at the end of June (Friday 28th June) and are looking for accommodation for 140 people! They need people to host one or two guests from Friday morning to Saturday afternoon (part of an English teaching programme) and also for a simple overnight stay on the Friday night (for Global University Students). If you can help or want more info contact Phil Whyte at BCDA, 283 Ormeau Road, Belfast BT7 3GG, phone 028 - 90 49 11 61, fax 90 49 23 93, e-mail philip.whyte@bcda.net

Amnesty International: The global is local
Amnesty International in the Republic is amazingly widespread with most people being within 'involvement distance' of a local group which is contributing in its own special way to human rights. Local groups are located in Carlow, Cashel, Cork City, Clonakilty, Carrick-on-Suir, Dingle, Dublin Central, Dublin West, Dundrum/Ballinteer (Dublin), Dun Laoghaire/Blackrock, Dundalk, Enniscorthy, Galway, Kells, Killarney, Kilkenny, Letterkenny, Limerick, Navan, Nenagh, Rathgar (Dublin), Sandymount (Dublin), Schull, Sligo, Swords, Tallaght, Tralee, Tullamore, Waterford, Wexford and Youghal.

Their excellent website at www.amnesty.ie gives the appropriate local contacts as well as details on AI work and human rights in different countries. There are also the following specialist groups operating; Health professionals; Anti-death penalty, Military, security and police transfer; Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender. Individual membership of AI in the Republic is €40, unwaged €10 (household rates are €60 and €15 unwaged). Amnesty International Irish section, 48 Fleet Street , Dublin 2, phone 01 - 677 6361, fax 01 - 6776392, e-mail info@amnesty.iol.ie 

Amnesty in Norn Iron is at 80a Stranmillis Road , Belfast BT9 5AD , ph. 028 - 9066 6216 (see NN98)

PN on Antimilitarism
The latest issue of Peace News, the quarterly 'for nonviolent revolution', is on antimilitarism and includes a brief introduction' as well as features on antimilitarism in various situations including Colombia and Israel . Just the thing if you're not sure what Auntie Militarism is on about. Subs are £10 UK or Europe 25 Euros, or you can also access the web edition at www.peacenews.info Peace News, 5 Caledonian Road , London N1 9DY .

FEASTA - Foundation for the Economics of Sustainability
On Friday 28th and Saturday 29th of June Feasta will hold a two day members' forum and AGM; it will be an informative and stimulating agenda that leaves time to renew old acquaintances and make new ones in an informal atmosphere. The venue will be the Glencree Reconciliation Centre located just a few miles west of Enniskerry in the beautiful Wicklow hills and about 30 minutes South of Dublin. Highlights will include Richard Douthwaite giving a report on monetary reform and Donal O'Kelly's award winning one act play 'Bat the Father Rabbitt the Son'. Donal (as well as being a member of Feasta) is highly acclaimed for his film and stage appearances, most notably his production of Catalpa. Further details from feasta@anu.ie

Membership of Feasta gives you the opportunity to support Feasta's work and entitles you to a discount on publications and the Feasta review, two newsletters, e-mail bulletins, and events concessions. Subs are €12 individual, students and unwaged €6, voluntary group/organisation €20, and professional group/organisation €60. Feasta, 159 Lower Rathmines Road , Dublin 6, phone 01 - 4912773, fax 4912203, and web www.feasta.org  

Steering towards a UK Civilian Peace Service
The Steering Group for a UK Civilian Peace Service has produced a final report on the conference "Contributing Civilian Personnel to Peace Operations" which it ran in November last (18 pages A4). The revised, full report is available at £7 (£3.50 to NGOs and students). They have also produced a 12 page A4 brochure entitled "Tackling Violent Conflict" which summarises the arguments for a UK Civilian Peace Service. Contact; Steering Group for a UK Civilian Peace Service, c/o Peaceworkers UK , 162 Holloway Road , London N7 8DD , phone +44 (0)20 7609 2777, e-mail info@peaceworkers.fsnet.co.uk