[alternet-l] THE ALTERNET NEWS - ISSUE # 84

[Joanne Doyle]

THE ALTERNET NEWS - ISSUE # 84

This issue:

HOT SITES/
BEYOND TV/
TOXIC HOT SPOTS/
EMISSIONS TRADING AGREEMENT/
BP WITHDRAWS FROM ARTIC POWER/
SRI LANKAN WORKERS DISMISSED/
AUSTRALIAN ASYLUM POLICY/
CHINESE INTERNET RIGHTS/
COMMEDIA AWARDS SCHEME/
WHITE FLAGS AGAINST WAR/
RESEARCH ARTICLES WANTED/
JOBS/
QUOTE/UNQUOTE/
DIARY/

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be edited. Plain text email is preferred.

Back issues are on-line at:
---> http://www.gn.apc.org/news/alternet/index.asp

A friend of ours at GreenNet has put together an online advent calendar. We 
hope you enjoy all the days ahead.
--> http://santa.greennet.org.uk

The next issue will be January 10th. Hope to hear from you in the New Year.
Thank you for reading and sending us news for Alternet News throughout 2002.
Joanne.

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HOT SITES

The new web pages for the Community Linux Training Centre are now online. 
The Community/Linux Training Centre is a "portable Internet" for teaching 
the use of the Linux operating system, and the use of Information and 
Communications Technology (ICT), at any location.

-->www.fraw.org.uk/cltc/

The Global news education trust gives encouragement and support to young 
people to help them to create a positive vision for the future and to do 
this by expressing themselves through different forms of the media.

-->www.positivenews.org.uk/globalframeset.html

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BEYOND TV

Beyond TV festival a success. Radical, uplifting, moving, astonishing 
...all this and more...from across the world to the south of Wales...
Hosted by Undercurrents foundation ("the news you don't see on the news"); 
the films "sandblasted away the cynical crust formed by the mainstream 
media", according to one viewer. On offer instead were a range of films 
calculated to expose the parts of society other films aren't reaching.

One, made by Swansea resident Sam Mace, covered the closing down of a 
small, cheap, friendly local swimming pool - the council sold the land to a 
property developer and are opening an Olympic sized specimen in a distant 
area of town instead.

A selection of the films shown are available here:
--> www.undercurrents.org/beyondtv/

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TOXIC HOT SPOTS

Many toxic chemicals are global pollutants, including areas such as old 
factories, dumping grounds, effluent outfall and waste storage sites. 
Greenpeace have compiled a 'Global Toxic Hotspots Map'. Greenpeace are 
concentrating on the Bhopal disaster in India, the world's worst chemical 
disaster. Join their online campaign to try get Union Carbide's new owners, 
Dow Chemicals, to pay to clean up the toxic mess.
Full story:

--> www.greenpeace.org/campaigns/intro?campaign_id=3991

Related sites:
Toxic hot spots map:
--> http://archive.greenpeace.org/~toxics/html/content/toxframe.html
take action:
--> http://act.greenpeace.org/ams/e?a=Bhopal&s=blue2s

In response to growing public outrage over its handling of the Bhopal
disaster's legacy, Dow Chemicals has issued a statement explaining why it 
is unable to more actively address the problem.

More:
--> www.dow.com/dow_news/corporate/2002/20021128a.htm
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EMISSIONS TRADING AGREEMENT

European Union environment ministers have agreed to establish the world's 
largest market for trading greenhouse gas emissions in an effort to reduce 
global warming. The trading system will come into force from 2005.
Hans Schmidt, the Danish environment minister stated: "It's good for the 
environment, it's good for enterprises, and it's good for the economy." 
Under the agreement, companies will be given a quota for carbon dioxide 
emissions. Those who exceed their limit will be able to buy extra quota 
from others that stay below their allotted levels.

More information:
--> www.enn.com/news/wire-stories/2002/12/12102002/ap_49148.asp

In the UK, legislation has been drafted to allow waste trading between 
councils in an effort to reduce biodegradable municipal waste sent to 
landfill. The idea is that landfill allowances would be set up and these 
can then be tradable between authorities allowing the UK as a whole to 
share the burden of meeting the European Union Landfill Directive.

Further details:
-->http://ens-news.com/ens/nov2002/2002-11-18-03.asp
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BP WITHDRAWS FROM ARTIC POWER

BP has withdrawn from the lobbying group that is leading the campaign to 
open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska to drilling, company 
spokesperson Paul Laird said yesterday. In the past, BP had worked closely 
with the lobbying group, Arctic Power, hosting journalists and Beltway 
politicians in Alaska in an effort to encourage them to support drilling 
plans.  Laird said BP would consider drilling in the refuge in the future 
"[w]hen and if the American people decide ANWR should be opened."

WWF are treating the news with caution: "BP hasn't yet ruled out drilling 
in the refuge, nor has it accepted the principle that certain areas are 
simply off limits" said Jules Peck, WWF Sustainable Investment Policy Officer.

More:
--> www.wwf.org.uk/news/n_0000000752.asp
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SRI LANKAN WORKERS DISMISSED

207 workers in Sri Lanka have lost their jobs at a factory producing sails 
for yachts in Europe and North America. The workers went on strike after an 
attendance bonus was withdrawn. The bonus had been crucial in giving the 
workers a living wage. Management sacked them in June 2002, but they are 
still fighting. The Sri Lanka Commissioner of Labour has repeatedly tried 
to meet with the management of the factory without success.

They are now working with War on Want's partner in Sri Lanka (TIE Asia) to 
try and get their jobs back.

Full report:
--> www.waronwant.org/?lid=3087
You can support this campaign by sending an electronic postcard to the 
Chief Executive of the Sri Lankan company:
--> www.waronwant.org/?lid=3091
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AUSTRALIAN ASYLUM POLICY

Human Rights Watch have released a report, "By Invitation Only: Australian 
Asylum Policy," based on eight months of investigation. The report 
challenges the Australian government's policy on asylum seekers as a breach 
of the country's international obligations to protect refugees. Human 
Rights Watch's evidence shows that the Australian Defence Forces violated 
the rights of asylum seekers on board boats intercepted in October 2001. 
They detained the single men under inhumane conditions, beat several of 
them with batons and used other unnecessary force against vulnerable 
refugee families. These findings contradict the report of the Australian 
Senate Select Committee on a Certain Maritime Incident [issued on October 
23, 2002].

Full report here:
--> www.hrw.org/press/2002/12/australia1210.htm
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CHINESE INTERNET RIGHTS

Foreign companies, including Websense and Sun Microsystems, Cisco Systems, 
Nortel Networks, Microsoft,(27) have reportedly provided important 
technology which helps the Chinese authorities censor the Internet. Nortel 
Networks(28) along with some other international firms are reported to be 
providing China with the technology which will help it shift from filtering 
content at the international gateway level to filtering content of 
individual computers, in homes, Internet cafes, universities and businesses.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights calls on "every individual and 
every organ of society" to play its part in securing human rights for all. 
Amnesty International believes that multinational companies operating in 
China have a responsibility to contribute to the promotion and protection 
of fundamental human rights.

Full story:

--> www.web.amnesty.org/ai.nsf/recent/asa170072002

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COMMEDIA AWARDS SCHEME

The Commedia Millennium Awards scheme has given 245 awards for grants for 
individuals and small groups to make a video, radio programme or web site 
of benefit to their community. A wonderfully diverse range of work has been 
funded with award winners from all over the UK - from Penzance to Dundee 
and from Norwich to Derry - on a wide spectrum of subjects.

Award Winners include: David Graham, who has produced a video challenging 
young peoples attitudes regarding HIV and AIDS, and David Chugg, whose 
video challenges pre-conceptions about what disabled people are able to do.

--> http://awards.commedia.org.uk/


*****************************************************************

WHITE FLAGS AGAINST WAR

In view of the ongoing massive war preparations of the US-government
against Iraq, it is time now for a worldwide visible sign of protest
against this war.

Beginning on November 15th until the end of this year, we will show with 
white fabrics on the windows of our apartments in all villages
and cities of all countries worldwide our clear NO against the
ongoing warmongering.

This easy to realise demonstration has no centre and is not bound to
any ideology or political party. It will find highest attention in all
our streets and in all media and thus demonstrate clearly the
profound disagreement of the largest part of humanity against this war.

For worldwide communication, please send this message to all of your
friends. And from November 15th fix a white fabric on the lower frame
of all your windows.

*****************************************************************
RESEARCH ARTICLES WANTED

The editors of the new quarterly journal Information Technologies and
International Development, to be published by the MIT Press from July
2003, are soliciting full-length research articles as well as shorter
research notes on ICT for development themes.

More details:
-->http://mitpress.mit.edu/catalog/item/default.asp?sid=2055D6B6-D4D3-44DE-90AB-DDCE1C37665F&ttype=4&tid=59

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JOBS

THE BRETTON WOODS PROJECT IS SEEKING A PART-TIME COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT 
for the IFIwatchnet initiative. This initiative currently comprises 40 
organisations from 15 countries that are active in monitoring the 
international financial institutions. It aims to more effectively share 
information at a global level and to encourage collaborative working. 
Application deadline 20 December 2002.
More details:
--> www.brettonwoodsproject.org/about/jobs.html
Email: info at brettonwoodsproject.org

INTRAC ARE LOOKING FOR A RESEARCH CO-ORDINATOR/SENIOR RESEARCHER to work in 
the dynamic environment of NGO research.  Reporting to the Executive 
Director/Research Director you will have responsibility for overall 
co-ordination of research, publications and conference programmes.  You 
will assist in the development of INTRAC's varied research programme, 
linked to training and capacity building of NGOs. Application deadline 16 
December 2002.
About INTRAC:
--> www.intrac.org
For the job description and application form,
E mail: s.windsor-richards at intrac.org

LIBERTY ARE LOOKING FOR A CRIMINAL JUSTICE CAMPAIGNS OFFICER to assist with 
their campaign on the government's recently published Criminal Justice 
Bill. The Bill presents Liberty with one of its greatest challenges in 
recent years. The Criminal Justice Campaigns Officer will be expected to 
lobby Parliamentarians, liase with other NGOs and supportive individuals 
and assist with our policy, research and media work. The post is fixed term 
and full time and will end on July 31st 2003.

To apply, please send a CV and covering letter outlining your suitability 
for the job to
Email: joannag at liberty-human-rights.org.uk

Further information about Liberty:
--> www.liberty-human-rights.org.uk
*****************************************************************

QUOTE/UNQUOTE

'Let us learn from our lessons. Never believe any war will be smooth and 
easy or that anyone who embarks on that strange voyage can measure the 
tides and hurricanes he will encounter. The statesman who yields to war 
fever must realise that once the signal is given, he is no longer the 
master of policy but the slave of unforeseeable and uncontrollable 
events...incompetent or arrogant commanders, untrustworthy allies, hostile 
neutrals, malignant fortune, ugly surprise, awful miscalculations...'
- Winston Churchill

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DIARY DATES

DECEMBER

Friday 13th:
Demonstrate against the fur trade, combined with an anti-vivisection demo 
on Friday, 13th December in London. Meet at 11 a.m.
outside the shop called Expensive, 221 Oxford Street (nearest tube Oxford 
Circus). The shop is across the road from the old C&A store.

Sunday 15th:
DOUBLE VISION: A forum for feelings, experience and ideas & an 
Ecopsychology Networking Evening. This is an opportunity to meet others 
engaged with ecological issues and interested in the field of 
Ecopsychology. The evening will offer a mixture of discussion and some 
experiential work, together with a chance to network and plan possible 
future directions.  6-9pm

Cost: Please donate whatever you can afford towards the cost of the rental 
of the space.

ongoing until Sunday 22nd:
DOUBLE VISION:  Self Portraits of the Earth
Running until December 22nd. Weekends only 10am - 4pm
An exhibition of painting and photography by Viola Sampson and Mary-Jayne 
Rust. A space that invites you to participate in an ongoing exploration of 
ecological awareness and interconnectedness.

Venue for both: Centre for Urban Ecology (CUE), Queen's Lodge, Queen's 
Wood, 42 Muswell Hill Road, London, N10 3JP.  Near Highgate Tube.

Wednesday 18th:
Disobedients' Argentine Film Night & talk about the uprising, plus food & 
bar. 7.30pm, Union Tavern, Camberwell New Rd, London SE5, free/donations.
***
Junk TV Christmas party - Free showing, DJs, Bar, Cakes, daft comedies, 
etc. Quick Flicks 2002 - a collection of thirty or so 1 minute films.
Sanctuary Cafe Cella, 51-55 Brunswick St East, Brighton/Hove. 01273 770006. 
8 pm.

Events in celebration of Global Social Disobedience actions around the 
world December
More:
--> www.nadir.org/nadir/initiativ/agp/d20/d20sisobedience.htm

Sunday 22nd:
The Other Cinema, Rupert St, London W1, 1pm - An afternoon for Argentina
1.10 - hour of the furnaces - peron - 30m
1.40 - las madres - 64m
2.45 - break - plasma screen in cafe area
3.00 - argentina in revolt - 30m
3.30 - cry for argentina - 50m
4.20 - break - plasma screen in cafe area
4.30 - panel - speakers: zoe young - conscious cinema, hugh o'shaughnessy - 
journalist, eva tarr kirkhope - latin american FF, paula zingoni - latin 
american cinema expert.
5.15 - train of poverty - 5m, voces argentinas - 16m

JANUARY
Thursday 16th:
Community care: a social entitlement or an individual expense?
12-3pm.  Sign language interpreter TBC
Self-help legal workshop from Legal Action for Women
230A Kentish Town Road London NW5 2AB
E-mail: law at crossroadswomen.net

MARCH
Thursday 6th:
Resurgence & Demos jointly invite you to an evening of conversation with 
John Gray - Professor of European Thought at the LSE, author of "Straw Dogs 
Thoughts on Humans & Other Animals",
Caroline Lucas - Green Party Member of the European Parliament
& Satish Kumar - Editor of Resurgence & Director of Programmes at the 
Schumacher College.

Questioning Security Terrorism in a Globalised World
6pm for 6.30pm
Thursday March 6 at Demos,
The Mezzanine, Elizabeth House, 39 York Road, London SE1 7YY
(Elizabeth House is adjacent to Waterloo Station and buses 76, 77, 211, 
341, 381 and 507 pass the door).
Admission: £5.00 with wine
To book a place call 01237 441293 or email peterlang at resurgence.org

More Diary Dates on GreenNet:

--> webboard.gn.apc.org:8086/default/

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---> www.gn.apc.org

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