Coming
soon
Conference listing
Reclaiming Cologne
On June 3rd and 4th the EU summit is taking place in Cologne, Germany. Two weeks later, the leaders of the G-8, the world's eight most powerful nations, will gather in the same city. German groups have organised themselves in different forms to take this opportunity for protest and resistance.
Last year saw the birth of a broad coalition, 'Bundnis Koln 99', made up of many different groups-from big environment and development NGOs to small left-wing groups. The four main events are:
• Unemployment March, May 29
• Unemployment Parliament, May 30-
June 4
• Alternative Summit May 28-June 1
• Activities against the G-8 Summit,
June 18-20
Outside this broad platform, many left-radical groups have organised themselves in the LiRa. Within the LiRa there's a strong opinion that the EU shouldn't be reformed but firmly opposed The LiRa has organised a demonstration against the EU on June 3rd, followed by debates and actions (until Sunday June 6th). A number of LiRa groups are also in the Bundnis.
There is a joint call from the Bundnis which serves as a base text for the activities during both the EU Summit as well as the G-8. It calls for security of existence, labour rights, a world without frontiers or racism, and cancellation of all debts of the 'developing' countries.
Although some of the practical details still have to be sorted out, Cologne is set to sparkle & boil in the first weeks of June, with demonstrations, debates and actions. The latest version of the programme is as follows: Alternative EU Summit Cologne, May 28-June 2
More and more people turn against the consequences of the neo-liberal politics in Europe and demand a change. Five years after the opening of the free common market that would create a big amount of jobs there are more people unemployed then before. The increasing flow of goods and the fixation on economic growth destroys the environment on a big scale. The currency-union with its neo-liberal approach forces social cuts and plays marginalised people against each other. 34 International Viewpoint #312 June 1999
This Europe has run its course! rights and employment (in particular, the
Now it's time to show the govern- "European Pact for Employment"). ments of the EU that a little sustainability • The demand for a minimum income in and some social cosmetics is not enough. Europe-APEIS (France) Baladre (Spain) The EU alternative summit is a forum Erwerbslose where people from all over Europe and (Germany) ADC Lausanne (Switzerland) from many other countries can develop Denmark or Sweden, AC! Commission real alternatives and put these up against the reigning politics. • The Precarisation of Work -"Workfare"
The alternative summit is also meant in Great Britain (Unemployment Centre,
Brighton, GB) -The "Dutch Model" (ENU to be a place where movements from different countries and policy areas have Group, Holland) - The situation of women the possibility to reflect their develop- in former-East Germany (ALI Thuringen / ment, to get contacts, to network and to plan further activities. • Reduction of Working Hours -The struggle for the reduction of working hours in Germany (DGB,EuroMarsch The counter summit will concentrate Germany) -The 35 hour week campaign on five topics: Social/employment issues • in Spain (CGT, Spain) -The French 32 Education • Women • Environment • hour week demand and the Aubry Law on Campaigning a 35 hour week (France) Saturday, May 29 European demonstra- • New Forms of Employment? — Introtion against unemployment, casual labour, duction by MNCP (France) on alternative racism and exclusion. Start: Neumarkt solidarity economy. Platz, Koln, 13:00. • Immigration. job insecurity and unSunday, May 30 till June 1 Workshops on employment. The right to free circulation the five main themes will take place of people and settlement in Europe. -everyday. There will be some extra European immigration policies, Schengen workshops on one fay only (GISTI, France). - German question of
• Social/employment issues: European double nationality (Turkish Immigrant Parliament of the unemployed, Social Association in Turkey). -Unemployed and policies of the EU, Child poverty in the those in insecure jobs, their struggles EU, Models of social security against the expulsions of No Papers
• Environment: Energy policy, People.(CLLE / CACH Brusselles) -Climate policy, Genetechnology, Trans Sans-Papiers (No Papers People) European Networks, Agricultural policy (France). -The Network of Movements
• Education: Globalisation of educa- for Political and Social Rights. (Greece) -tion, Privatisation of education, Life-long Freedom of circulation/Kosovo (The learning, Selection mechanisms in educa- Invisibles, Italy) tional systems, Democratisation of educa-
Contact: Secretariat des Marches Europeennes 104, rue tional systems des Couronnes 75020 Paris France Fax: (+33)
• Women: Reproductive rights, 0144626345 Email: marches97@ras.eu.org Paid/unpaid labour
• Campaigning: different action forms, press work, street theatre, video workshop The Alternative Economic
Summit Organisational 17/18. of June, Cologne The alternative summit will take place in the Alte The last World Economic Summit (G-7) Feuerwache' in Cologne. During the summit there will be a camp site for the participants. There are also in this century will take place in Cologne. sleeping places in private houses. Food will be provided In Germany, social movements and NGOs by Ramenplan, a Dutch organic/vegan cooking collec- are preparing several alternative events, tive. The participation fee has not yet been decided. Contact addresses are: among them a demonstration and a 'Alte Feuerwache' Melchiorstrasse 3 50670 Cologne tel human chain. The "Alternative World +49-221-9731550 Buendnis Koeln 99 Koernerstrasse 69 50823 Koeln tel Economic Summit" is prepared by an +49-221-9520008 fax +49-221-9520077 email: alliance of different organisations, among koeln99@gmx.net The alternative summit is organised by: ChemieKreis, them Friends of the Earth Germany Foundation Towards a Different Europe, European (BUND), medico international, the Marches against unemployment, odd jobs, racism and Heinrich-Boll-Foundation, the Youth exclusion, freier zusammenschluss von studentInnenschaften, Green Alternative Youth Alliance, IMUN Organisations of the socialdemocratic and Bochum, Juso-Bundesverband, Natur Freunde Jugend, green party, the Federal Congress of Play Fair Europe!
Development Action Groups (BUKO), Oxfam Germany, Network "no one is illegal" and others. The conference is coUnemployment parliament ordinated by WEED Cologne, 28 May-3 June The main purpose of the congress is the
A series of meetings between move- discussion and promotion of alternatives ments engaged in the struggle against un- to the neo-liberal world order. In the light employment, casual labour and social of the deepening crisis of the dominant precarity. Restricted to members of economic paradigm the political affiliated associations and trade unions. conjuncture for alternatives has never Themes will include: been more favourable in the last decade. • European Union policies and European The congress will focus on three main Commission directives on income, social issues: • the future of labour • migration • towa orde Cros peac consi focus the Gerr repri othe Che: schm
T resul and Pron ment invit like Edua Migr (The Peter dos S Dep Madj Igbi refu (Chu Beyo (Frat Joacl Sonn (Rus Mari Afric Etho Sign Alex Beral Fran Reg Franc Fran Fran Bren (Ox Mart Gerr Bus trad (Un Bel
CEP
towards a different world economic order, in particular the finance system. Cross-sectorial issues like ecology, peacekeeping and women will also be considered.
The first day of the congress will focus in three parallel panel meetings on the main issues. International and German experts and civil society representatives will be invited, among others: Elmar Altvater, Francois Chesnais, Susan George, Jorg Huffschmid, and Martin Khor.
The second day will integrate the results of the commissions in the plenary and try to further process alternatives. Prominent figures from social movements from all over the world will be invited. We shall try to get personalities like Noam Chomsky, Vandana Shiva and Eduardo Galeano. Migration: With: Theophilus E. Osezua (The Voice), Osiris Bayther (Colombia), Peter Kissinger (Germany), Movimento dos Sem (Brasil). Deportation violates human rights: Madjiguene Cisse (sans papiers), Osaren Igbinoba (Caravan of migrants and refugees), SOLATINA, Fatma Bag (Church Asylum, Germany) Beyond labour?: Yann Moulier Boutang (France), Karl Georg Zinn (Germany), Joachim Hirsch (Germany) and Christa Sonnenfeld (Germany, Boris Kagarlitsky (Russia), Farida Akther (Bangladesh), Maria Rojas (Chile) and Ari Sitas (South Africa). Ethos, Utopia and labour ideology: Sigmund-Freud-Institute (Germany), Alex Demirovic (Germany), Franco Berardi (France) and Maurizio Lazzarato (France) Regulating the financial markets: Francois Chesnais (University of Paris, France), Suzanne de Brunhoff (CNRS, France), Jorg Huffschmid (University of Bremen, Germany), Kevın Watkins (Oxfam international, UK). Moderator: Martina Metzger (University of Berlin, Business without frontiers? World trade, Foreign Direct Investments and control of TNCs: Sunita Narain (Centre for Science & Environment, India), Martin Khor (Third World Network, Malaysia), Jessica Woodroffe (World Development Movement, UK), Charles Arden Clarke (WWF International, Switzerland) Moderator: Myriam Vander Stichele (SOMO and TNI, Netherlands) (Re)Regulation of the world economic system-Democratic alternatives to the neoliberal world order: Candido Grzbowski (ibase, Brasil), Susanne Lutz (MPI Koln, Germany), Susan George (Author, France), Michel Chossudovsky (University of Ottawa, Canada). Moderator: Peter Wahl (WEED) Beyond Neo-Keynesianism: Walden Bello (Focus on the Global South, Thailand), Vandana Shiva (Alternative Nobel Prize winner, India), Alain Lipietz (CEPREMAP, France).
Back to the future? Perspectives of neo-keynesian Reform-Alternatives: Andre Gorz, Saskia Sassen (Canada), Walden Bello (Focus on the Global South, Thailand), Detley Hartmann (Germany) Change comes bottom-up. New strategies and players?: Boris Kagarlitsky (Russia), representative of EZLN (Mexico), Pat Horn (RSA), NN (organisation of unemployed people). It is not enough to interprete the world-ways, strategies and alliances: Martin Khor (Third World Network, Malaysia), Detlef Hensche (IG Medien, Germany), Frieder Otto Wolf (member of the European Parliament, Germany), Madjiguene Cisse (Sans Papiers, France) Perspectives of a democratic world order with social justice and sound environment: Noam Chomsky (MIT, USA), Madjiguene Cisse (Sans Papiers, France) and Eduardo Galeano (writer, Uruguay) Moderation: Angelika Zahrnt (Friends of the Earth, Germany) The congress will be held with simultaneous translation in English and German, in the High School for Adult Education (Volkshochschule) Cologne, Josef Haubrich Hof 2 (near Neumarkt). For the latest information on the programme of the Alternative Economic Summit, check the WEED website at www.weedbonn.org/aktiong7/prog_e.htm> Other events EuoMediterranean homosexualities Marseilles, France, 24-31 July See longer announcement in last month's magazine. Registrations and requests for information can be sent, to: Université d'Eté des Homosexualités Intech Chemin des Fontaines 84110 Vaison la Romaine, France Tel: 33-4-90 28 70 10 Fax: 33-4-90 36 19 63 Organizational contacts (tel/fax): 33-4-75 27 14 04 (Jacques Fortin) Artistic programming: 33-4-91 47 29 52 (Verte Fontaine) Women and Political Action 18-19 June, London, Great Britain See longer announcement in last month's magazine. Contact: Gender Research Centre, Middlesex University, Queensway, Enfield, Middlesex EN3 4SF, Great Britain. Tel: [+44 181] 362 5552. fax: 362 6404. E-mail: <j.gregory@mdx.ac.uk> International Meeting of Movements in Struggle Paris, France, 24-26 June This major event is a joint initiative of the European Marches network, ATTAC, (International Movement for the Democratic Control of Financial Markets and their Financial Institutions), the Coordination against the Clones of IMA, World Forum Alternatives, and COCAD/ CADTM. * For more information contact the EuroMarch secretariat, 104 rue des Couronnes, 75020 Paris, France. Fax: (+33) 01 44 62 63 45 marches97 @ras.eu.org> "Free Trade" Bangalore (India), August 23-26
The conference will launch a discussion process among peoples' movements from the around the world on the role and functions that an international coordination and communication network like the PGA should play. The conference will also provide a great opportunity to plan massive mobilisations against the Third WTO Ministerial Conference.
The conference will be hosted by the Karnataka State Farmers' Association (KRRS), one of the biggest social movements in South Asia. There will be a number of organised trips to Karnataka and the North of Kerala.before and after the conference. Contact: <pga@agp.org>. Conference documentation will be posted at www.agp.org. The current Convenors' Committee of PGA is composed of: Black Communities Process (Colombia), Canadian Union of Postal Workers, Committee of Female Workers of El Salvador, Confederation of Education Workers of Argentina,Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador, Maori Independence Movement (Aoteoroa -New Zealand), National Alliance of People's Movements (India), Reclaim the Streets London (UK), Rural Organisation for Mutual Help (Mozambique), SocioEcological Union (federation of over 200 groups in Central/Eastern Europe). London Anarchist Bookfair 16 October, London, Britain Contact: <m.peacock@unl.ac.uk> Tel. 0171 247 9249. Participative democracy 10-13 November, Porto Allegre, Brazil An International Seminar on Participative Democracy, based on Porto Allegre's pioneer "participatory budget process" Working languages Portuguese, Spanish and (maybe) English. Contact the town hall, Praca Montevideo, 10, CEP 90010-170, Porto Allegre, Brazil. fax 051 228 8725, email <becker@gp.prefpoa.com.br> World Trade Organisation ministerial conference Seattle, USA, 29 Nov.-3 Dec.1999
INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR
RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
• 48 bed conference centre with six channel interpretation system, library and television room, ten minutes from the centre of Amsterdam and 2 minutes from a park
• Contact Robert Went or Peter Drucker to discuss holding your event at the IRE tel. (+31) 20/671 7263 tax 673 2106
PO Box 53290, 1007 RG Amsterdam
Netherlands e-mail <ire @ antenna.nb
International Viewpoint #312 June 1999 35
Booknotes
The fall and rise of liberation theology Blessed Anastácia: Women, race and popular Christianity in Brazil, by John Burdick, 1998, Routledge In the early 1980s, liberation theology inspired a generation of Brazilians to struggle for social justice, sexual and racial equality, and a reform of Christian practice and theology to place the church at the service of the people
In the 1990s, however, there has been a rapid growth in more conservative, evangelical Christianity. A new wave of "charismatic" Catholics are adapting evangelical practices in a struggle for the hearts and minds of Brazil's black and brown majority.
Not only has liberation theology's "revolution in consciousness" stalled, but many of its supporters have fallen away. Part of this is due to the growing misery of Brazil's poor, with hopelessness leading to an explosion of mystical practices of all types.
The Pope has also succeeded in his counter-reform, stacking the Brazilian hierarchy with ultra-conservatives. In another 10 years, most of the liberation theologists that have kept their positions within the priesthood will be too old to stop the conservative backlash.
And, of course, part of the evangelical tidalwave is the result of massive financial and political support from North American churches.
But these external factors only tell half the story. This book is the result of John Burdick's search for the internal contradictions of liberation theology, and those self-delusions of social activists who lumped believers into separate categories of progressive, conservative and reactionary.
Burdick's extensive fieldwork in Rio de Janeiro revealed a much more complex pattern of political and religious belief and practice among Brazil's poor.
Rather than reactionaries and fools, as some leftists had argued, many poor evangelical Christians supported the Workers Party (PT). More suprisingly, perhaps, their fundamentalist interpretation of the bible seems to have contributed to a greater racial integration of church members than in the explicitly anti-racist sectors of the church.
Through extensive interviews with black and brown women, Burdick's team exposed a complicated dynamic of racial, sexual and religious identities, with progressive and conservative values articulated within all sectors of 36 International Viewpoint #312 June 1999
Brazilian Christianity, with individuals often holding mixed and even contradictory beliefs, with their progressive and conservative sides dominating in different moments of their daily life. A welcome sociological reminder of the complexity and untidyness of real life, which some social activists try to conceptualise in rigid and dogmatic ways.
Burdick reports, for instance, how black and brown Brazilians had a mixed response to the introduction of AfroBrazilian history and culture into the liturgy in 'inculturated' ceremonies promoted by some liberation theologists and black movement activists. Some felt that it promoted a narrow black identity, forcing mixed-race Brazilians to deny a large part of their cultural heritage and family background. Others resented the 'cultural' use of African drums and dance as a concession to Afro-Brazilian
Liberation theologists were accused of a partial and manipulative use of the bible, to promote their own agendas.
Despite his sympathy with the black nationalist movement, Burdick found activists rigid and suspicious about his
Uncle Sam is lurking
A study prepared for the US military recommends development of techniques to monitor and counter the activities of NGOs using Internet communication.
The study was sponsored by the
US Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence and was produced in the
RAND Arroyo Center's Strategy and
Doctrine Program.
The Arroyo Center is a federally funded research and development center sponsored by the United States Army.
Based on an analysis of the international solidarity developed by
NGOs in support of the Zapatistas, it particularly targets the Association for Progressive Communications (APC), described as"a worldwide partnership of member networks (like Peacenet and
Conflictnet) that provides low-cost computer communications services and information-sharing tools to individuals and NGOs working on social issues."
The full report (in Adobe Acrobat format) is at:
www.rand.org/publications/MR/MR994/
For more information on this www.eGroups.com/list/mediamentor findings of progressive values within the evangelical movement, and dynamics of exclusion within liberation theology" sectors.
Some black activists welcomed the racial integration of the evangelical churches. Others saw this as proof of the false consciousness of those blacks and browns who did not prioritise blacks as friends and spouses.