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(Issues 58-107)
(Issues 1 to 57)
Dawn Train

Number 163: October 2008

Pipelines and Profits: People under Pressure - Afri Hedge School
Afri’s Hedge School takes place from Friday 24th – Sunday 26th October, mainly in Glenamoy Community Centre, Erris, Co Mayo on the theme “Pipeline and Profits: People under Pressure”. There will be sessions on ‘Pipelines: Myth versus Reality’, ‘Oil and Gas: Dollars and Death – Mayo, Ecuador, America and the Niger Delta’, drama, and ‘Dialogue – The Art of the Possible’ with a host of well known local, national and international resource people. Booking beforehand is essential and the full fee is €35 and concession €25. The full programme and information is available from, and bookings should be made to; Afri, 134 Phibsborough Road, Phibsborough, Dublin 7, ph 01 – 8827581, and e-mail afri@iol.ie website http://www.afri.ie  

Why Violence? Campaign
‘Why Violence?’ is a new campaign initiated by Irish Quakers, concerned about the way violence infuses every area of society, locally, nationally and internationally. It is looking for support and ideas that will help Ireland live up to its commitment to ‘UN Day of Non-violence’ (2nd October) and lead the way in promoting a positive society. They are contacting diverse organisations and people to elicit ideas with a view to making 2nd October each year into a festival of non-violence and violence reduction including concerts, films, exhibitions, lectures, workshops and debates. “We don’t pretend to have the answer but we do know that doing nothing is unacceptable” said Philip Jacob of the campaign. Contact the campaign at whyviolence@quakers-in-ireland.ie or phone Terry Gillespie 087 – 6501169, Philip Jacob 01 – 284 5802, or, as Gaeilge, Irene Ní Mháille, 087 – 7564466. The idea is to form an action plan by the end of January. ‘Why Violence?’, The Campaign for Violence Reduction, c/o Quaker House, Stocking Lane, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16.  

Housmans Peace Diary
It’s that time of year already, when you begin to need an appointment diary for the next calendar year, and Housmans Peace Diary with its unique World Peace Directory of around 2,000 peace, environmental and human rights organisations in 150 countries around the world will keep you connected. Pocket format with a week to a view, the diary’s feature for 2009 is on 50 years of Caledonian Road in London as home of Housmans, Peace News and other radical groups. You can order by post or online at http://www.housmans.com (you can check out some of their other stock at the same time) Single copies are £8.95 post-free anywhere in the world (UK sterling cheque) or you can pay by credit card. There are reductions for 5 or more copies. Housmans, 5 Caledonian Road, London N1 9DX, ph. 020 - 7837 4473, e-mail orders@housmans.com INNATE will have a limited number of diaries for sale.  

Peace People International
The Peace People have launched a Peace People International initiative with an opportunity for peace activists, anywhere, as individuals or groups, to link with them in taking action for peace. Suggested actions include to perform a local act to encourage peace where there is antagonism, encourage some act or project or programme for peace in the education of young people, contribute to an act of reconciliation nationally or internationally, try to involve some new members, encourage the creation of another group, or raise some funds for a Peace Project. The background to this includes citizenship education in schools both in Ireland and internationally, the fact that many students in colleges and universities are keen to participate in some form of meaningful community service with an international dimension, and also that there are a number of small groups doing excellent work in community relations (both nationally and internationally) which might benefit from membership of an umbrella group through which they might make contacts and share experiences. You can get in touch and register by post, e-mail or via the website. Further details from: Peace People International, Fredheim, 224 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 6GE, ph +44 (0)28 9066 3045, e-mail: info@peacepeople.com and web http://www.peacepeople.com

The Peace People are holding a discussion “The Middle East Conflict: What comparisons can we draw with Northern Ireland?” hosted by local historian Eamonn Phoenix, on Friday 10th October at 7 pm at their address above.  

PRG Training, new training book on peace and reconciliation
The Peace and Reconciliation Group (PRG) in Derry is running a course on Exploring Diversity: Facilitating Community Relations Work (10 Days) (OCN Accredited Level 3 Credits 12). This is designed to provide participants with the skills, knowledge and confidence to facilitate cross community work with diverse groups. It starts on 8th October (10 am – 4pm) and runs weekly until 10th December. The course fee is £300, it takes place at the PRG offices, and the course tutor is PRG director, Michael Doherty. PRG is at 18-20 Bishop Street, L/Derry, BT48 6PW, ph 028 – 71369206, e-mail info@peaceprg.co.uk and website http://www.peaceprg.co.uk  

Following the success and sell-out of Another Lifeline: Community Relations and Citizenship: A Facilitator's Handbook, by Michael Doherty, YES! Publications has recently launched "Peace and Reconciliation Worksheets for Facilitators” by the same author. ISBN 1 873832 30 3 “Peace and Reconciliation Worksheets for Facilitators”, by Michael Doherty, spiral bound paperback, Price £10, 96 Pages. This handbook, which focuses primarily on reconciliation, has been developed as a resource for facilitators, trainers and organisations who work in the field of Peace and Reconciliation. To order your copy contact YES! Publications, 10-12 Bishop Street, Derry/Londonderry, BT48 6PW. Tel 028 71261941 or order on line http://www.yespublications.org  

Lisbon, we hardly knew ye
The Peace & Neutrality Alliance supported by the Campaign Against the EU Constitution is holding a mock "funeral" for the Lisbon Treaty on Wednesday 15th of October at 6.00pm outside Government Buildings, Merrion Street, Dublin 2, to coincide with the EU Council of Ministers meeting where they are to discuss what to do with the democratic decision of the Irish people to reject it. As far as PANA and CAECU are concerned the Lisbon Treaty is dead and should be given a decent burial. Come along and bring your friends and give it the send off it deserves. For further information contact: Roger Cole, Chair, Peace & Neutrality Alliance, ph 087-2611597 http://www.pana.ie

AI survey shows dangerous male attitudes on rape
A new poll commissioned by Amnesty International shows that almost half (46%) of Northern Ireland university students believe that a woman is partially or totally responsible for being raped if she has behaved in a flirtatious manner, as it published a report on attitudes to violence against women. The poll, “Violence against women: the perspective of students in Northern Ireland”, surveyed the attitudes and experiences of over 700 students across University of Ulster campuses. The research showed that a “blame culture” toward women and sexual violence exists over drinking, perceived promiscuity, personal safety and whether a woman has clearly said “no” to a man. The poll found, for example, that almost one third (30%) of students in Northern Ireland believe that a woman is partially or totally responsible for being raped if she is wearing “sexy or revealing clothing”. Patrick Corrigan of AI-NI said “As part of an integrated strategy to end all forms of violence against women, the Northern Ireland Executive should consider a comprehensive campaign aimed at preventing violence and challenging prejudicial attitudes.” Amnesty’s poll also revealed that domestic violence against female students is apparently widespread in Northern Ireland. Fionna Smyth, Campaigns Officer, Amnesty International, 397 Ormeau Road, Belfast BT7 3GP, ph 028 - 90 643000/ 077- 38369600, e-mail fionna.smyth@amnesty.org.uk

PCI International Peace Award goes to Brazil
The 2008 Pax Christi International Peace Award will be awarded over the weekend of 17th – 19th October to the Franciscan priest, Dom Luiz Flávio Cappio, the bishop of Barra in the state of Bahia, Brazil, and the members of the Brazilian community who have worked with him for their nonviolent action in protest against the Säo Francisco river transposition project. The Pax Christi International Peace Award is presented each year in recognition of a person or group that embodies the ideals of the Pax Christi movement, and that has worked in an exemplary manner for a more peaceful world. The decision was taken by the Executive Committee of Pax Christi International and the Cardinal Bernardus Alfrink Peace Fund, a Foundation established in honour of one of Pax Christi’s first International Presidents, which also sponsors the Peace Award. See
http://www.paxchristi.net

Hammered by the Irish – book and gig
Harry Browne’s new book “Hammered by the Irish – How the Pitsop Ploughshares disabled a U.S. war-plane – with Ireland’s blessing”, with an introduction by Daniel Berrigan, is now available. The book will be retailing at Tower Records for €12, also available from Dublin Food Co-op and Afri office Phibsborough at €12 (+ €1.35 by post from Afri). ISBN 978-190489901, 180 pages. This detailed but very readable book gives the background in Ireland to the Pitstop Ploughshares action, the coming together of the five, their action, aftermath and trials. A "Hammered by the Irish" gig will take place at the Lower Deck, Portobello, Dublin on Thursday 9th October,7.30pm-11.30 pm. Entry is by donation - money will go to an imprisoned U.S. soldier presently jailed for refusing to deploy to Iraq ( http://www.couragetoresist.org ) and a Kiwi ploughshares crew facing the courts for deflating a spy base dome! http://www.indymedia.ie/article/89067

Friends of the Earth
NI Friends of the Earth in Northern Ireland has local groups in Banbridge and Mourne, Bannside (meets Coleraine), Belfast, Craigavon, Downpatrick, Fermanagh, Killinchy and District, Larne, and North Down and Ards. The current (Autumn) edition of their Newsletter looks at the failure of devolution to deliver on the environment, e.g. an independent environmental protection agency; FOE has also criticised the fact that no prosecutions have followed one of the worst fish kills ever in Northern Ireland, on the Sixmilewater in June.

FOE, 7 Donegall Street Place, Belfast BT1 2FN, ph 028 – 9023 3488, e-mail foe-ni@foe.co.uk and website http://www.foe.co.uk/ni

Stop Climate Chaos tells politicians the holiday is over
As TDs returned to the Dáil on 24th September, the Stop Climate Chaos coalition (consisting of over 30 civil society organisations) made its presence felt with stacks of black boxes showing Ireland’s carbon footprint compared to other countries - Ireland is responsible for 17.5 tonnes of climate-changing greenhouse gases per person per year. This compares to 7.4 tonnes in Sweden, 3.9 in China, 1.6 in India and 0.7 tonnes per person in Malawi. Ireland is the 6th worst polluter in the rich world.

Contact: Oisin Coghlan of Friends of the Earth on 086-8529528 or Colin Roche of Oxfam Ireland on 085-7222731.

Challenge your TD on debt!
The Debt and Development Coalition Ireland (DDCI) is holding a national campaigning event targeting TDs on Tuesday 21st October at Buswells Hotel, Molesworth street, Dublin (opposite the Dáil) from 11.30 am to 7.30 pm (there will be a one hour briefing at 10.30 am for those meeting TDs). The purpose of the event is to engage TDs on the issue of debt and increase parliamentary endorsements of declarations for Shared Responsibility in Sovereign Lending, and the Irish Parliamentarians Declaration on the Need for Action from the Irish Government on Illegitimate Debts.

DDCI has supporting material available for those who want to challenge their TDs. DDCI is now at Unit F5, Spade Enterprise Centre, North King Street, Dublin 7, ph 01 – 6174835, e-mail campaign@debtireland.org and web http://www.debtireland.org

Women Peacemaker Programme interns WPP’s
International Orientation is a 6 weeks annual orientation at the IFOR International Secretariat and its Women Peacemakers Program for two young women active in civil society organizations (CSOs). Objectives include to facilitate skills sharing between peace activists from different regions, and to provide specific orientation to help program participants further their thinking and familiarity with critical international issues in conflict resolution, development, human rights and gender awareness.

The orientation includes an introduction to international peace work and exposure visits to relevant organizations and practical office work. The Interns will produce the newsletter Time is Now! Deadline for applications is 15th December 2008. The International Orientation takes place during spring time in Alkmaar, the Netherlands. For the application form and other information please visit the WPP website or contact Cristina Reyna c.reyna@ifor.org

Update from Rossport, Co Mayo by Mark Chapman
At the start of September opposition to Shell’s plans to lay a high pressure gas pipeline from the Corrib gasfield, about 70km offshore was stepped up as speculation over the imminent arrival of the Solitaire, one of the largest pipe-laying ships in the world, increased.

Local residents from Rossport townland, local fishermen, activists from the Shell To Sea campaign and others took to the sea in fishing boats and inflatable kayaks as 2 Irish Navy gunboats were deployed in Broadhaven Bay “to assist gardai with any potential disturbances", the Naval Service claimed. S2S activists and local fisherman Pat O'Donnell claimed they managed to turn one of the naval vessels away and out of the bay.

Opposition increased dramatically as the Solitaire and a supply vessel arrived in the Bay on 9 Sept. Veteran S2S campaigner and local school principal, Maura Harrington started a hunger strike at the gates of the Shell compound at Glengad and van loads of gardai arrived as numbers of arrests continued including Pat McDonnell for continuing to collect his lobster pots and several folk who used an effective lock-on to close down the approach road to the compound for half a day.

Maura’s demand was for the Solitaire to leave Irish waters. Her statement included: My sense of personal outrage is driven by the primacy of Place - people come and go in nano seconds; Place endures. A few days later the Solitaire limped back to Killybegs harbour having been mysteriously damaged despite reports that the sea was calm at the time… reports of giant lobsters have surfaced on indymedia.ie…

After 10 days on hunger strike Maura came off after news that the Solitaire was finally out of Irish waters. Support actions continued including removing sections of the Shell compound fencing! Reports on indymedia.ie indicate that there have been over 40 arrests at Glengad/Rossport over this period but no convictions. Often this can be an indication that the state wants to keep a low media profile over an issue.

Part of Maura’s statement was: Local people have borne the brunt of Shell’s arrogance and Government neglect for the past eight years. Yet Corrib remains a national issue because the Government continues to put the profits of Shell before the needs of the Irish people. Any alternative location for the Corrib Gas infrastructure will not build new schools, new hospitals or contribute to the National Pension Fund. Until we the People benefit from what is rightfully ours, any attempt to extricate Shell and the Government from the mess that is Corrib remains doomed to failure.

Links:

Photo Feature: INNATE’s two decades
Following the short history of INNATE in last February’s Nonviolent News (No. 156,) we are pleased to bring you some photos from INNATE’s couple of decades on phot-sharing site Flickr.

INNATE networking group meets next at 7pm on Wednesday 15th October – contact us for details, all welcome.

 

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