[alternet-l] AlterNet News # 47

Fri Oct 6 18:19:29 BST 2000

THE ALTERNET NEWS - ISSUE # 47

This issue:
HOT SITES/
VIOLENCE IN WEST PAPUA/
CZECH POLICE BRUTALITY/
SONY TARGETS ACTIVISTS/
MONSANTO'S 'EXPERTS'/
TIME BANKS/
HAITIAN ART/
AWARDS/
JOBS/
QUOTE/UNQUOTE/
DIARY/

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Send items for inclusion, including a web link if possible, to 
actnow at gn.apc.org. Items may need to be edited. Plain text e-mail is preferred. 
Back issues are on-line at: 
---> http://www.gn.apc.org/activities/alternet

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HOT SITES

Anti-Slavery works to eliminate a number of forms of slavery, including bonded labour, forced labour, the worst forms of child labour, commercial sexual exploitation, trafficking, early and forced marriage, and traditional or 'chattel' slavery:
---> http://www.antislavery.org

On-line holistic treatment, information and inspiration! How to live more naturally, in tune with the real you. Insights into a higher reality:
---> http://www.onlinehealing.org

ARTICLE 19, the Global Campaign for Free Expression, has a new website. Easy to navigate and fully searchable, the site includes hundreds of documents and links covering freedom of expression issues across the world:
---> http://www.article19.org

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VIOLENCE IN WEST PAPUA

Several people were killed and at least 19 injured this morning when Indonesian police opened fire on demonstrators in the town of Wamena, West Papua. The demonstrators were seeking to fly the flag of West Papuan independence.

Latest reports from human rights monitors in Wamena say thousands of people are fighting with the security forces. Troops are being drafted into the area as the situation threatens to escalate.

Reliable sources within the air force claim that British made Hawk warplanes will fly to Wamena tomorrow morning.

Contact Sem Karoba in Wamena: 00 62 969 593160 (mobile)

Background:
--> http://www.survival.org.uk/wpbg.htm
--> http://www.gn.apc.org/tapol/

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CZECH POLICE BRUTALITY

Human Rights abuses and police brutality is ‘widespread’ in Prague jails. Paul Rosenthal from Seattle, who was released from jail in Prague after forty hours said:

"What is happening inside the Czech jails is more than frightening. People have no rights, they are being beaten severely, they are disappearing. Women are being forced to strip in front of male guards and perform exercises. People with serious medical problems have been denied help." 

More:
--> http://www.inpeg.org/s26press.htm

Background report from Econnect, GreenNet’s sister organisation in the Czech Republic: 
-->http://www.apc.org/english/news/fulltext.shtml?sh_itm=da651bb47d7ac10feff430e64e7305e0

Extensive coverage of the demonstrations from the IGC, GreenNet’s US sister 
organisation:
--> http://headlines.igc.apc.org:8080/pnheadlines/969994509/index_html

How internet technology supports protest against the IMF and the World Bank: 
-->http://www.apc.org/english/news/fulltext.shtml?sh_itm=542e29da1e45250211e7c671881f8030

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SONY TARGETS ACTIVISTS

Sony are using Internet snoops against activists. Sony’s 'NGO Strategy' document describes 'NGO Activity to watch out for!' with links to Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace. The environmental organisations are identified as 'highly active' and 'well organised' with a 'global reach'.

Sony are turning to 'web investigation agencies' as a solution to their on-line critics, and recommend London-based Infonic Plc.

Infotec, who were hired by Shell in the aftermath of Brent Spar in 1995, offer ‘Threat Management’:

'Activists, pressure groups and corporate critics have taken to the Internet with enthusiasm. Very often, the on-line activities of the opponents of big business have been more sophisticated and more effective than those of the companies they attack.'

Lets hope it stays that way.

--> http://www.observer.co.uk/comment/story/0,6903,375740,00.html
--> http://www.infonic.co.uk

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MONSANTO'S 'EXPERTS'

A confidential internal report leaked to GeneWatch UK reveals that Monsanto is influencing which experts get on international scientific committees, promoting propaganda through supposedly independent scientists and gaining influence with key decision makers in government departments in developing countries.

Dr Sue Mayer, GeneWatch UK's Director, said:
"It seems they are trying to buy influence with key individuals, stack committees with experts who support them, and subvert the scientific agenda around the world."

Full report:
--> http://www.genewatch.org/Press%20Releases/pr15.htm

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TIME BANKS

A Time Bank stores time credits that people save by helping others or their community and records time withdrawals made when they need something doing themselves. Time Banks reward people for helping each other and their communities. This is an opportunity to meet people active in time banks in the UK and find out first hand how time banks work:
'No more throw away people', Tuesday 17th October 7-9pm, at The London School of Economics, Clement House, 99 Aldwych, London WC2A.
Tubes: Holborn or Temple. Disabled accessible venue.
£12.50 or 1 time credit (entrance includes a copy of the new book 'No more throw away people'). Concessions available. 
Contact Karen at the New Economics Foundation on 020 7407 7447 x249 for bookings and more information. You can pay on the door. 

--> http://www.timemoney.org.uk

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HAITIAN ART

'Catching the Spirit: Representations of Vodou spirits in contemporary Haitian art' will be showing from 12th October to 11th November at The October Gallery, 24 Old Gloucester St, London WC1N

'Feels Like Vodou Spirits: Haitian art, culture, and religion', an afternoon of films, talks, slides and discussion, will take place at the same venue on 14th October from 1.30pm - 6.30pm 
Cost: £5 (or £3 concessions). 

For more details call Leah Gordon on 020 8525 0456

Haiti Support Group solidarity organisation:
--> http://www.gn.apc.org/haitisupport

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AWARD

The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation invites nominations for the 2001 Hilton Humanitarian Prize. They are seeking an organization that has made extraordinary contributions toward alleviating human suffering anywhere in the world.

The $US 1 million prize, the world's largest humanitarian award, is presented annually to an established nonprofit, charitable or non-governmental organization. The prize is not a grant but an award for recent and historic accomplishments. An independent international panel of jurors will make the final selection.

Nomination packs are available and must be received or postmarked by December 15, 2000.
Contact:  Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, Hilton Humanitarian Prize, 10100 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 1000, Los Angeles, California 90067-4011, USA. E-mail:  prize at hiltonfoundation.org.

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JOBS

PESTICIDE ACTION NETWORK:
Administrative Assistant (£13,750, London)
The Pesticide Action Network UK is a charity whose aims are to eliminate the health and environmental hazards from pesticides, reduce reliance on pesticides, and promote alternative management options. 
Applicants must have sound administrative ability and computer literacy. Word processing and database skills are essential. Working with the Office Manager, the successful candidate will play a crucial role in supporting the work of the organisation.
Applicants should have a good general education to GCSE or equivalent.
For more information and an application pack call 0207 274 8895 or email: admin at pan-uk.org
(Closing date for applications is 20 October 2000)
Full details: 
--> http://www.pan-uk.org
Pesticide Action Network UK, 49 Effra Road, London SW2 1BZ

PEACE BRIGADES INTERNATIONAL:
An international peace and human rights organisation requires an Administrative Assistant.
7 hrs per week - 9 month contract starting mid-November 2000.
Salary: £2,617
Strong administrative and communication skills essential. 
Working knowledge (reading/writing) of Spanish essential. 
Voluntary sector experience desirable.
For further information and an application form, send an A4 SAE (57p) to: 
Peace Brigades International, 5 Caledonian Rd, London N1 9DX
Email: pbiio at gn.apc.org
Closing date for applications: 5pm, 23 October 2000 
Interviews: 1st week of November 2000

HUMAN RIGHTS OBSERVERS WANTED!
Peace Brigades International British section (PBI), a human rights organisation working for the transformation of conflict, is organising an orientation weekend for prospective volunteers wanting to work as International Human Right Observers in countries such as Colombia, Mexico, The Balkans and Indonesia.

You must be aged over 25 years and speak the language of the country concerned.
The orientation weekend will take place from 16th to 19th of November in Jordans, Buckinghamshire. The weekend will explore issues such as the role of a non-partisan human rights organisation implementing non-violent alternatives in conflict areas, PBI's mandate, principles and detailed information on our projects. For further information please send an A4 SAE (54p) with your CV to PBI British Section, 1a Waterlow Road, London N19 5NJ. Phone: (020) 7281 5370
E-mail: pbibritain at gn.apc.org

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QUOTE/UNQUOTE

"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle.
The other is as if everything is."  

Albert Einstein

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DIARY DATES:
Reclaim the Streets: 020 7281 4621; rts at gn.apc.org 
LONDON MEETING EVERY TUESDAY 7pm - Cock Tavern pub, Phoenix Road, 
London;

OCTOBER

10: Protest at NATO defence ministers meeting at Birmingham. 0121 
6434617 e-mail: wmcndall at gn.apc.org
11: Green Drinks. 6 'til late at The Ram Page pub, (Basement Room), 32 Great Queen Street, London WC2. Tube: Holborn or Covent Garden.
14: Bath Reclaim the Streets (party). 
--> http://www.geocities.com/bathfin
14: Annual Anarchist Book Fayre. 10 - 6pm. Conway Hall, Red Lion Sq, 
London. Books, stalls, meetings, videos, crèche, more.
16 'The corporate take-over of science'. Talk by George Monbiot, 8pm, Live Theatre, Newcastle. 0191 2438206
16: Global day of action against McDonalds on World Food Day. 0115 
9585666
21: 'The peace experience'. An afternoon seminar to explore and 
experience peace. 2.30 - 5.00 pm, Main Lecture Theatre, University of 
Northumbria.
24: 'Living without Violence' : Event for UN Day/Year for a Culture of 
Peace. 9.30-12.30; Cowgate Leisure Centre, Harehills Avenue, Newcastle.

October 29-November 3: 
'Soul at Work: at the Edge Of Chaos & Complexity'. Roger Lewin & Birute Regine.
Further details: 
Email: <schumcoll at gn.apc.org> 
--> http://www.gn.apc.org/schumachercollege/ 

NOVEMBER 

5-24: 'Nature & Society: The Deep Ecology Movement'.
Stephan Harding, George Sessions & Max Oelschlaeger 
Further details: 
Email: <schumcoll at gn.apc.org> 
--> http://www.gn.apc.org/schumachercollege/ 

More Diary Dates on GreenNet: 

http://webboard.gn.apc.org:8086/default

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The AlterNet News is edited by Adrian Harris for GreenNet: 
---> http://www.gn.apc.org

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