Posted by WTO Watch Qld on August 27, 2001 at 23:11:34:
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
Services underpin all forms of internationl trade and all aspects of global economic activity.
Global Services Network, Statement on WTO negotiations on Services, Nov 1999, p1
1) COMING EVENTS
2) CALLS TO ACTION
a) Submissions re new nuclear reactor
b) JSCOT calling for submissions (nuclear issues)
c) Submissions re World Summit on Sustainable Development
d) Starbucks Global Week of Action
e) Anti-GMO Speaker Required
3) GATS UPDATE
a) New Alliance formed to fight GATS.
b) Teachers Oppose WTO Agreement (GATS)
4) FOCUS ON MONEY
The Case for Monetary Reform
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1) COMING EVENTS
"SPEAKING OUT FOR TIBET"
ATC Active Skills Workshop
Saturday 8 September, 2001 - Entry by donation
This one-day workshop is designed to equip Tibet supporters, students and
the general public with information and skills to effectively lobby
governments about Tibet in this Federal election year.
Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from, and brainstorm with,
stimulating guest speakers, including Senator Andrew Bartlett (the
Australian Democrats), Chope Paljor Tsering (Tibetan Government-in-Exile),
Rohan Vora (Amnesty International), Tibetan refugees residing in Australia,
and Liam Phelan (Australia Tibet Council).
Conference Room
Level 1, Social Science and Humanities Library
Duhig Building (building # 2)
Campbell Road (extension of Sir Fred Schonell Drive)
St Lucia Campus
University of Queensland
RSVP:
Be sure to secure your seat. RSVP to Melinda Owen by 5 September on:
3831 4632 (after 7.00pm) or 0408 781 495
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Dr Michael Woolcock, contributor to the highly anticipated World Bank policy research report entitled 'Globalization, Growth, and Poverty: Facts, Fears, and an Agenda for Action', is a Social Scientist with the Development Research Group at the World Bank, and an Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government.
The Foundation for Development Cooperation (FDC) are organizing his 2-week lecture tour through the Eastern States and capital cities. The FDC, an independent think tank committed to sustainable development and poverty reduction in the Pacific and Asia believe his visit promises to be a unique opportunity for all those interested in international affairs and globalisation.
Dr Woolcock's program is as follows:
3 Sept - The ANU's National Centre for Development Studies Canberra. For more details contact Ms Pamela Thomas (Pamela.Thomas@anu.edu.au)
4 Sept – The Research Institute for Asia and the Sydney (supported by AMP). For more details contact Dr Stephanie Fahey (S.Fahey@riap.usyd.edu.au )
5 Sept - RMIT. For more details contact Ms Zoe Shurgold ( zoe.shurgold@rmit.edu.au)
7 Sept - Griffith University . For more details contact Mr Charles Sampford (C.Sampford@mailbox.gu.edu.au )
12 Sept – Deakin University and World Vision Australia will co-host a seminar at the Melbourne Burwood campus of Deakin University campus. For more details contact Ms Anne O'Keefe (aok@deakin.edu.au )
Dr Woolcock, an author of the 'World Development Report 2000/01' on poverty, which for the first time employed a social capital perspective on empowerment, is a world renowned speaker on social capital theory, research, and policy to diverse audiences in over a dozen countries, and has had his published research translated into five languages
His research addresses two major themes, namely social institutions and political economy. The former looks at understanding the survival and mobility strategies of the poor; the latter is concerned with the role of governance and civil society organizations (NGOs) in managing globalization.
For more information please see our webpage www.fdc.org.au or contact Ms Jane Eaton at FDC on 07 32364633 or at janeeaton@fdc.org.au
R J Eaton
Program Officer
The Foundation for Development Cooperation
Level 2, 283 Elizabeth St, Brisbane Qld Australia
office: 07 3236 4633
mobile: 0404 08 25 30
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BRISBANE STOP FOOD IRRADIATION ALLIANCE
NUCLEAR FREE NEIGHBORHOOD CAMPAIGN
MEETINGS: Every Tuesday 7pm Justice Products West End
Next Meeting
August 28, Tuesday at 7pm
Justice Products
192 Boundary Street, West End
IMPORTANT SUNSHINE COAST, NARANGBA, BRISBANE, GOLD COAST STOP FOOD IRRADIATION CAMPAIGN STRATEGY JOINT MEETING
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 2 , 2001 at 1pm
Freedom House
69 Thomas Street, West End
BRING A PLATE (with food on it please!)
for more info: Bettina (07) 3861 0601
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CIRQUE DU SOLEIL'S ALEGRIA
OCAA fundraiser, get your tickets now
Following the sell-out success of Saltimbanco in 1999, Alegria, the second
Cirque Du Soleil show to tour Australia, is coming to Brisbane.
100% of proceeds go to Oxfam Community Aid Abroad.
Saturday 8th September
These A reserve tickets are only available directly from Oxfam Community
Aid Abroad. Adults: $100 children: $70
Book Today! Call: 1800 038 180 email: cirque@caa.org.au
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OXFAM COMMUNITY AID ABROAD (QLD) ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
OCAA (QLD) are having their annual general meeting on Saturday 8th
September at 3pm.at the Albion Peace Centre 102 McDonald Road
Windsor.
Come along to the meeting and meet Jeremy Hobbs, the new Oxfam
International director.
Wine and cheese provided.
Afterwards we will be heading off to see CIRQUE DU SOLEIL'S ALEGRIA so get
your tickets now.
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The Social Justice Monitor has been updated for August.
Please go to www.acej.cafeprogressive.com
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2) CALLS TO ACTION
a) ANSTO (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation) are currently applying for a
construction license to build a new nuclear reactor.
ARPANSA (Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency) and the Health Ministers need to hear
from all of you who do not want a nuclear future.
Greenpeace will be sending copies of all submissions to the Health Ministers, as they have the power to
override ARPANSA and stop the construction of the reactor.
Submissions are due to ARPANSA by the 5th of September. Though if you can get your submission into
Greenpeace by the end of August, Greenpeace can send copies to
the Health Ministers.
Send submissions to; Greenpeace Australia Pacific
Submissions
GPO BOX 3307
Sydney NSW 2001
More info nolamaccaulay@yahoo.com.au www.greenpeace.org.au
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b) The Joint Standing Committee on Treaties is seeking submissions on the following proposed international treaties:
Agreement with Argentina concerning cooperation in peaceful use of nuclear energy
Agreement with US on nuclear transfers to Taiwan
Deatails at www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/jsct
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c) Preparations for the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD also
referred to as Rio +10) are underway and are to be hosted by the Government
of South Africa in Johannesburg from 2 - 11 September 2002.
Environment Australia has produced a discussion paper as a basis for
soliciting public comment on the position Australia should be taking to
the WSSD. The discussion paper is available
from our website (www.ea.gov.au/cooperation/international/index.html)
and via a Freecall number (ph 1800 803 772).
Submissions close on 28 September 2001.
We are hosting public consultation meetings in Brisbane, Sydney,
Canberra, Melbourne and Perth in the week beginning 27 August and we
would welcome you also bringing details of these meetings to the
attention of other industry or business organisations. Details of these
meetings are provided in the discussion paper.
Tharman Saverimuttu
International Multilateral Unit
Environment Australia
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d) ****STARBUCKS GLOBAL WEEK OF ACTION SEPTEMBER 17-23, 2001******
Since March 2001, thousands of activists have taken part in
protests and leafleting events outside Starbucks cafes in over
250 cities in the US, Canada, New Zealand and England in what
has become the largest consumer campaign ever mounted against
a major US food and beverage company around the issues of genetic
engineering and Fair Trade. The pressure from our Frankenbuck$
campaign and from Starbucks' customers reading our leaflets and
talking to our volunteers is obviously making an impact. One need
only compare Starbucks' official company statements dated March 18
and then compare these statements to the one dated June 21
(http://www.starbucks.com) to see what a difference three months
of determined campaigning has made. Three months from now we expect
to see the company move even farther.
****TAKE ACTION AND JOIN ONE OF OUR LEAFLETING TEAMS DURING THE
WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 17-23, 2001 ***
HELP PRESSURE STARBUCKS TO REMOVE GENETICALLY ENGINEERED INGREDIENTS
FROM THEIR FOOD AND DAIRY PRODUCTS ON A WORLDWIDE BASIS, IMPROVE
WORKING CONDITIONS FOR COFFEE PLANTATION WORKERS, AND BREW AND
SERIOUSLY PROMOTE FAIR TRADE COFFEE IN ALL OF THEIR CAFES.
If you are willing to participate please contact
simon@organicconsumers.org or call 218-226-4164.
Please tell our staff the date, time and location of the Starbucks
outlets you will be leafleting, and we will be happy to send you
an organizing packet. You can also read about the latest campaign
developments on the special Starbucks section on our website,
which is updated daily. http://www.purefood.org/Starbucks/starbucks.html
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e) ----- Original Message -----
From: Belgrove Grazing Co
To: adrian.wedd@mail.au.gl3
Sent: Friday, August 17, 2001 12:26 PM
Subject: ANTI- GMO speaker required
I am seeking an anti- GMO speaker to address farmers at a farmers federation meeting in october.
Some of these farmers WILL grow GM canola when it is released.It is already being trialed in the area.(may be released 2002 ??) This group
has already been addressed by pro-gmo advocate Dr John Hamblin. I require an anti-GMO speaker with similar qualifications. Can you help,
any suggestions appreciated.
Regards Trevor Smith
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2) GATS UPDATE
a) NEW ALLIANCE FORMED TO FIGHT GATS
A new Qld based alliance has been formed for the specific purpose of raising public awareness of the GATS. The Alliance to Expose GATS (AEG) already has the support of a number of groups representing the environment, unions, social justice, groups opposing globalism, and representatives of retired Australians. The AEG will seek to raise public awareness by holding information stalls and providing the media with information. It will lobby politicians in the lead up to the election, liase with similar groups in other states and provide information to industries likely to be affected by the GATS.
The AEG meets fortnightly at 12.30pm at 74 Astor Tce, Spring Hill (Miscellaneous Workers Union) and the next meeting will be on September 6th. Everybody is most welcome to attend.
For further information please contact Terrie Templeton gumbus@powerup.com.au
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b) TEACHERS OPPOSE WTO AGREEMENT
A conference representing almost 25 million teachers from around the world has made a stand against a landmark WTO agreement on the commercialisation of education.
Education International said it rejected the WTO General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) which in 1994 formally declared education to be a tradeable commodity.
'We oppose in principle the commodification of education and research services by the WTO and GATS,' said a resolution submitted by the National Tertiary Education Union of Australia.
EI, a conferderation of some 300 teaching unions and organisations from 155 countries, held its third congress in Jomtien, a seaside resort south-east of Bangkok.
The 1300 delegates and observers met over 5 days at the end of last month under the theme of education in a global economy. Topics included the commercialisation of education, teachers employment rights and the effects of information technology.
The congress concluded with a plea for 'public education for all.'
Rob Crozier, executive director of the Association of Universuity Staff of New Zealand, which supported the resolution, said governments had a responsibility to fund education services.
'We must move away from the free market, increase government funding and reduce the intense competition between universities.' he said.
EI said that Australia and New Zealand were regarded as' experimental labs' for the liberalisation of education.
'New Zealand is an interesting example of what happened to Universities because of business orientated rules,' Mr Crozier said.
Educational institutions there froze their fees in 2001 in return for a very small increase in government funding.
'All NZ Universities are now experiencing funding crises of some magnitude,' Mr Crozier said.
'A number of institutions are close to financial collapse.'
AFP
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4) FOCUS ON MONEY
Economic Reform Australia
ERA EMAIL NETWORK
Relayed by: Shann Turnbull The development of the global market, particularly in the spheres of free These developments have come about because most governments have The handing over of control of interest rates to central banks is
Date: Sat, 11 Aug 2001
Subject: The case for monetary reform
THE CASE FOR MONETARY REFORM
by Bill Clarke
Source: Prosperity, July 2001)
WHERE DOES REAL ECONOMIC POWER LIE?
trade, the instantaneous movement of capital and the trading of currencies,
means that to a very great extent national governments have lost the power
to control their economies.
accepted the theory that they should not interfere in the running of the
economy but should leave it to businesss men and financiers.