G8: There is an alternative
A broad coalition of trade unions, development, human rights and other groups is coming together under the aegis of the ICTU to organise a festival of alternatives to G8 policies the weekend of 14th – 16th June, immediately before the G8 summit in Co Fermanagh on 17th – 18th June. Regular meetings are now happening in Belfast. While different groups will be organising their own events, the weekend is likely to include a major manifestation in Belfast where everyone comes together on the afternoon of Saturday 15th June. Overall themes being explored include poverty, global inequality, austerity, multinational tax avoidance, and youth unemployment. To be put on the mailing list for information (specify whether you want to receive info on organising meetings) contact Kevin.Doherty@ictuni.org
- The Socialist Party has organised an open meeting leading to an Altern8 event planned for Co Fermanagh, contact donaloc@hotmail.com
VSI announces 500 International Volunteer Projects worldwide
You can join in one of the 500 short term (2-3 weeks) volunteer projects in Ireland, Europe, Africa, Asia, Latin America, Middle East and North America being organised through VSI during 2013. There are solidarity and peace related projects; community and environmental projects; arts and culture projects etc. More details from http://www.vsi.ie; email: info@vsi.ie; ph. 01-8551011.
Dalai Lama key speaker at Children in Crossfire Event
The patron of Children in Crossfire, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, will be guest of honour at the ‘Culture of Compassion’ event in the new Ebrington Venue in Derry/Londonderry on 18th April 2013. This event aims to inspire and animate people on the theme of compassion. It will explore the meaning and power of compassion for engaging with our friends and foes in a positive way. There will be singers, artists, performers and people sharing their personal stories of ‘compassion in action’ and overcoming adversity. Tickets for the ‘Culture of Compassion’ event are available at the Box Office at the Millennium Forum on 028 71 264455 or www.millenniumforum.co.uk. More information available on http://www.childrenincrossfire.org
MNI mediation training
Mediation Northern Ireland is currently organising three training courses: 1) Mediation Theory and Practice, 8 day course, see last issue for details. 2) Language in conflict, attempting to bridge the gap between the field of linguistics and the study and resolution of conflict; a one day session likely to take place on 4th April. 3) Mediation refresher course, a one day course for trained mediators to brush up on skills and network with others. Further details from Máire Patton, phone 028 90438614 or e-mail maire@mediationnorthernireland.org
Belfast Peace Trail meeting
There will be a meeting to plan a local peace trail for Belfast, as part of an overall Irish Peace Trail, on Monday 15th April from 7.30 – 9.00 pm at Corrymeela House, 8 Upper Crescent, Belfast, organised by INNATE. This meeting will look at what peace and justice features should be included and start to plan the content. Anyone interested is welcome, contact INNATE for further information as well as looking at June's readings for background.
Fracking: Jessica Ernst meetings Dublin: Canadian scientist Jessica Ernst will speak on Monday 11th March at 6.30pm in the Smock Alley Theatre, on Exchange St, Dublin 2. Co-hosted by Friends of the Earth Ireland and No Fracking Dublin. Go to FOE website to book a place. Jessica Ernst is Canadian scientist with 30 years oil and gas industry experience, and suing the Alberta government and gas producer EnCana for unlawful activities related to hydraulic fracturing; her lawsuit methodically details how Alberta's two key groundwater regulators, Alberta Environment and the ERCB, "failed to follow the investigation and enforcement processes that they had established and publicized." - a relevant story for those trying to prevent fracking in Ireland. Belfast: Wednesday 6th March at Peter Froggett Center, Queens University Belfast. Refreshments will be served from 7pm with the discussion beginning at 7.30pm. Organised by Belfast Not For $hale, for more information contact banfrackingni@gmail.com or follow on Twitter @BANfrackingNI
Corrymeela Sunday, Lent walks for peace
Corrymeela Sunday is an opportunity for Christian faith congregations to focus on Corrymeela and its work for peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland. While traditionally taking place on the Sunday nearest to St Patrick’s Day (this year it is St Patrick’s Day, 17th March) it can take place any time. Resources are available on the website . Meanwhile Corrymeela leader Rev Dr Inderjit Bhogal is leading a Lenten Pilgrimage of Prayer for Peace on Tuesdays which is now half way through but with walks still to come starting from Dungiven (5th March), Enniskillen (19th March) and Helen’s Bay (26th March); details on the website.
Climate Action Bill
Friends of the Earth Ireland is continuing to campaign for a strengthening of the government’s Climate Action Bill, making the judgement that it is too weak to deliver a low-carbon Ireland. The Bill is moving to the Oireachtas Environment Committee, who will be holding hearings and reporting to Government on how to improve the Bill before the summer. See http://www.foe.ie/ for details.
ICHR summer schools
The Irish Centre for Human Rights in Galway has three summer schools running this year: its long-running one on the International Criminal Court, taking place from 17th to 21st June; its inaugural Summer School on Human Rights, Migration and Globalization from 8th to 12th July; and on Cinema, Human Rights and Advocacy from 27th June – 6th July. Each summer school includes social programme as well as a panel of experts involved. See the website for details and other information about ICHR’s work.
INCORE/ARK seminar on the role of heritage
“The Role of Heritage in Post-conflict Reconstruction: Reflecting on the translation of research into policy statements and the implications” is the title of a seminar taking place onTuesday 12th March with Marie Louise Stig Sorensen (University of Cambridge). She will outline the role of heritage in post-conflict reconstruction efforts, and identify the challenges encountered when attempting to translate research into policy statements and recommendations. Venue: NICVA, 61 Duncairn Gardens, Belfast, from 12:00-13:00, followed by a sandwich lunch.Attendance open and free but places must be booked by email info@ark.ac.uk or ph 028 7167 5513. This seminar is organised jointly by ARK http://www.ark.ac.uk/ and INCORE, University of Ulster, http://www.incore.ulster.ac.uk
Donegal Mediation Network
Mediation as a means of conflict resolution continues to make strides around the country. The Donegal Mediation Network will be launched on Wednesday 27th March at 11 am in the Station House Hotel, Letterkenny, Co Donegal, with the launch being performed by Gerry Rooney, president of the Mediators Institute of Ireland (who took over this post from Karen Erwin in November 2012. See http://www.themii.ie/ ). For this event RSVP to admin@donegalmediationnetwork.com
Community Relations Week
Community Relations Week in Northern Ireland is coming up from 20th – 27th May. This is an opportunity to showcase and share the projects and work that people are doing towards a shared future. For inclusion in the printed programme (in 2012 there were over 150 events happening) details need to be provided to CRC/Community Relations Council by 27th March. See the website.
Party funding in NI still hidden
Friends of the Earth in Northern Ireland in early February condemned a Parliamentary decision that continues to prevent the Northern Ireland public from knowing who funds their politicians. FOE-NI was responding to the outcome of a Delegated Legislative Committee in the House of Commons, which supported Government policy on maintaining party funding secrecy in Northern Ireland. Since 2007 the Electoral Commission has kept a list of any donor who gives over £7500 a year to a Northern Ireland political party, but citizens are prohibited from seeing this list. James Orr, Friends of the Earth’s Northern Ireland Director, said: “Transparent party funding is considered an essential aspect of healthy, participative democracy in almost every western country, but the Westminster Government seems to believe that 1.8 million of its own citizens are not entitled to this right. In 2010 77% of respondents to a public consultation on this issue called for immediate transparency.” For more information on Friends of the Earth’s ‘Who Pulls the Strings’ campaign go to http://bit.ly/wpts_pdf
Chernobyl Cycle Challenge
Chernobyl Children International is holding a one day Cycle from Cork, on Saturday 27th July which will take cyclists on a scenic journey through West Cork. Food andrefreshments will be provided along the route and a BBQ is planned to finish the day. For more information or to get involved see the website, or contact Michelle Duff on tel. 021-4312999, e-mail mduff@chernobyl-ireland.com All funds will go towards CCI’s Medical Care Programme, including life saving child cardiac surgeries.
Peace News book on The March that shook Blair
15th February 2003 saw millions of people demonstrating around the world against the forthcoming war on Iraq, including well over a million in Britain. Peace News has published ‘The March that shook Blair’ by Ian Sinclair, an oral history of that day in Britain and assessment of what it did or did not achieve. More details and to order, see here.
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