[alternet-l] ALTERNET NEWS # 70

[Adrian Harris]

THE ALTERNET NEWS - ISSUE # 70

This issue:

HOT SITES/
GREENING RELIGION/
ACTIVIST'S CONGRESS/
JOBS FOR THE GIRLS/
DIVERSITY IN LONDON/
PEAT BOGS SAVED/
ASYLUM FIRE RISK/
REFLECT WORKSHOP/
SEA CHANGE/
JOBS WITH DIGNITY/
ICT FOR WOMEN/
JOBS/
QUOTE/UNQUOTE/
DIARY/

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Back issues are on-line at: 
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HOT SITES

CADRE provides networking and partnership opportunities, training and
material support on issues of health, education, equitable and sustainable
development, capacity building in Cameroon, Ghana and the wider region:
-->www.cadrenetwork.org/

The Schnews website has been re-designed to help you get at the Contacts
and Links, Party and Protest diary, DIY guide, plus a couple of hundred
back issues!
--> www.schnews.org.uk/

Falun Dafa is an ancient form of qigong, the practice of  refining the body
and mind through special exercises and meditation. Benefits claimed for
Falun Dafa range from improved health and newfound energy to mental
clarity, stress relief, and peace of mind:
--> www.falundafa.org/eng/index_en.htm

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GREENING RELIGION

Traditionally conservative religious groups in the US are campaigning to
protect Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

More than 1,200 religious leaders wrote to the US Senate to reminded them
of the "moral obligations" involved in deciding energy policy.

The letter was co-ordinated by the National Religious Partnership for the
Environment, which connects 135,000 US congregations from Protestant, Roman
Catholic, Jewish, Orthodox, and Evangelical faiths, providing everything
from energy-saving tips for church sanctuaries to sermon ideas and Sunday
School lessons.

Phil Taylor, the 19-year-old founder of Christian Youth for Conservation
and once a campaigner for Bush, said, "I personally thank
[environmentalists] for taking up our slack."

Full story:
--> www.csmonitor.com/2002/0227/p03s01-uspo.html

The National Religious Partnership for the Environment:
--> www.nrpe.org/

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ACTIVIST'S CONGRESS

Broad discussion aimed at promoting understanding and co-operation between
a diversity of groups.

Suggestions:
* What are we for?
* What are we doing to achieve this?
* What can we do collectively?

Sunday 3 March, 12:30-4pm, at St Thomas's Church, near Haymarket 
Metro, Newcastle.
  
Food Available. If you require creche facilities, please contact us in
advance. The venue is wheelchair accessible.

More information - contact Ronan on 0191 265 2318 or 
calvinballronan at hotmail.com 

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JOBS FOR THE GIRLS

Take our Daughters to Work is a special day which offers girls the
opportunities to learn more about the world of work, and to experience the 

wide range of careers they could pursue. Take our Daughters to Work Day
will be April 25th and is run by the Guides Association. 

--> www.guides.org.uk/daughters/

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DIVERSITY IN LONDON

The Mayor of London has joined with the London Civic Forum to host a series
of activities around the theme of standing together against intolerance.

These events aim to bring together the local community, faith group leaders
and organisations that are actively involved in promoting tolerance, to
exchange ideas and develop positive initiatives to counter racism and
intolerance.

South London event: 6 March, 6.30-9.00 pm 
Lambeth Town Hall, Brixton Hill, SW2
Speakers:
Imam Dr Abduljalil Sajid, Muslim Council of Britain
Lee Jasper, Mayor's Senior Policy Adviser on Equalities
Rabbi Jackie Tabick, Jewish Council for Racial Equality
Paul Seto from the Network of Buddhist Organisations.

West London event: 20 March, 6.30-9.00 pm
Hammersmith & Fulham Irish Centre, Blacks Road, W6
Speakers:
Neville Nagler, Board of Deputies of British Jews
Harshad Sanghrajka, Institute of Jainology
Atma Singh, Mayor's Policy Adviser on Asian Affairs
Revd Mark Sturge, African and Caribbean Evangelical Alliance
Seamus Taylor, Commission for Racial Equality

To book email, standingtogether at londoncivicforum.org.uk.

--> www.london.gov.uk/mayor/standing_together/index.htm

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PEAT BOGS SAVED

The UK Government have saved two of Britain's finest wildlife sites in the
biggest victory for nature conservation for years. Multinational company
Scotts are to be paid £17 million to cease mining the moors for peat.

The sites are rare examples of English raised bogs, less than two per cent
of which remain undamaged. Thorne Moor alone boasts 3,000 species of
insects, 150 of them endangered.

Peat bogs have been stripped to help provide the two and a half million
cubic metres of peat used annually by British gardeners and horticulturalists.

Despite environmental campaigns, sales of peat have increased as gardeners
ignored eco-friendly alternatives.

The moors will now receive strict protection by becoming EC Special Areas
of Conservation.

--> http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_1843000/1843299.stm

Join four days of direct action at the Scotts Peat works, Hatfield Moor,
near Doncaster from 25-29 March

Activist background:
--> www.peatalert.org.uk/

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ASYLUM FIRE RISK

As long ago as October 2000 Bedfordshire Fire Authority said that Yarls
Wood was "a disaster waiting to happen".

The Fire Brigades Union claim that asylum seekers held at Yarls Wood
Detention Centre are still at risk.

The centre has no sprinkler system, no training for Group 4 staff and no
evacuation procedures.

Andy Gilchrist, FBU General Secretary said: "The detainees that are
remaining in Yarls Wood should be immediately released on temporary
admission for their own safety."

Sprinklers are not fitted at any of the new detention centres, nor in older
buildings converted to hold immigration detainees at Campsfield House,


Tinsley House, Lindholme, and Haslar.

--> www.fbu.org.uk/news/n190202yarlswood.html

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REFLECT WORKSHOP

Reflect is an approach to adult learning and social change, conceived by
ActionAid and piloted in Uganda El Salvador and Bangladesh. It uses
participatory methodologies to enable people to reflect, analyse and act on
issues that are important to them.    

ActionAid is running a Reflect orientation workshop in London on 20th
March to give a basic overview/introduction to the approach and
methodologies. 

Contact: knewman at actionaid.org.uk

--> http://www.reflect-action.org

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SEA CHANGE

The rise in sea levels this century due to global warming could be almost
three times what has been previously estimated. New information predicts that
ocean levels will rise by between 6.7 and 10.6 inches by 2100 from glacial
melt alone. 

One member of the research team, Mark Meier of the University of Colorado at 
Boulder, said the current rates of melting for some glaciers were
"unprecedented" and outstripped rates from the last 5,000 years.

-->
news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/in_depth/sci_tech/2002/boston_2002/newsid_1825000/
1825283.stm

Take action on climate issues:
--> www.gristmagazine.com/grist/dogood/climate.asp?source=daily>


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JOBS WITH DIGNITY

What are the concerns of women workers' in the free trade zone garment
factories and banana plantations in Nicaragua?
What does ethical trade mean for these workers?
How can we support ethical trade and help to ensure that workers' rights
are respected?

Speakers: 
Claudia Blanco 
Trade union leader and banana plantation worker 
ATC Nicaraguan Rural Workers' Association

Lesbia Guerrero 
Labour Rights Promoter and Garment Factory worker 
The Maria Elena Cuadra Women's Movement, Nicaragua 

Megan Byrne
The Transport & General Workers Union

Organised by Central America Women's Network, Nicaragua Solidarity Campaign
and War on Want

Monday 11th March, 7pm 
Islington Town Hall, Committee Rm 5, Upper St, London N1 TUD 
Nearest tube: Highbury & Islington

Contact: Nick Dearden at War on Want ndearden at waronwant.org

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ICT FOR WOMEN

According to a recent study, women account for only 15 percent of
the workforce in the Information & Communication Technology (ICT) sector.

The Springboard Hackney Trust is now tackling the issue by organising two
free events about Women in ICT - 'Unlocking Women's Potential' on March 6th
and 20th.

The workshops will put the spotlight on 2 different segments of the ICT
market:

On March 6 th, the focus will be on businesses, social enterprises &
cooperatives.

On March 20th, the focus will be on government, health authorities,
education & charities.

Speakers are women who are successfully working in ICT roles or companies,
ranging from Tower Hamlets Council to GreenNet.

More: Roseni Dearden, rdearden at springboardht.org.uk

--> www.springboardht.org.uk/

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JOBS

FOREST PEOPLES PROJECT
Assistant Project Officer

The Forest Peoples Project seeks an Assistant Project Officer to provide
administrative and technical support for human rights, development and
capacity-building projects with indigenous peoples in the Great Lakes
region of Africa, primarily Rwanda.

The successful candidate will be highly motivated, enjoy working in a team,
be well organised, have excellent office skills and be able both to take
instructions and to take the initiative.

They will also have a higher education degree in a relevant subject, and
field experience working with NGOs in southern countries. Experience of
Africa and/ or indigenous peoples will be an advantage. You should also be
computer literate and able to administer simple computerised book-keeping
systems. Experience in financial management and fundraising will be
advantageous. You will also have good writing skills and be fluent in
written and spoken English and French. The post is UK-based and part-funded
by the Community Fund.

Salaries in the range of £17,000 - £21,000 for a working week of between 20
and 30 hours negotiable depending on prior experience and qualifications.  

Apply to: info at fppwrm.gn.apc.org
--> forestpeoples.gn.apc.org/

AFRICA PROGRAMME COORDINATOR in York

Manage and develop programme in West Africa. Previous work experience in
West Africa in a development context and familiarity with the NGO sector
are essential, together with fluent French and proven project and people
management skills.

--> www.comminit.com/vacancy669.html

Contact: Recruitment Coordinator - unais-uk at geo2.poptel.org.uk

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QUOTE/UNQUOTE

"We know the truth, not only by the reason, but also by the heart."

Blaise Pascal

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DIARY DATES

Walk in Peace for Peace
Every first Sunday of the month. Meet at Speakers’ Corner (by Park Café),
Hyde Park 10.45am for 11am. The walk will take about an hour.
If you arrive a bit late don’t worry, you’ll see the Walk on ‘Broad Walk’
going south from Speakers’ Corner.
Enquiries: Clare Brunt 020 8755 0353

The Campaign for Co-operative Socialism Campaign meet at The Global Cafe in
London's Golden Square every Wednesday from 11-1:

-->www.cooperative-socialism.org/

MARCH

2nd:
Stop the War March 

Assemble Hyde Park, London 1pm
More: www.stopwar.org.uk/news.htm

11th
Jobs Yes! but with Dignity - Public Meeting 
7pm, Islington Town Hall, Committee Rm 5, Upper St, London N1 TUD 
Nearest tube: Highbury & Islington 

9th & 10th:
First World Congress Of Future Science And Culture. Cambridge University. 
More: www.fsc-congress.org/  

30th:
CND March and Rally Easter Saturday. End Terrorism - Abolish Nuclear
Weapons. Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square, opposing US Foreign Policy,
particularly Star Wars, and nuclear weapons.
Details e-mail: nigel at cnduk.org; 
--> www.cnduk.org/diary.htm

More Diary Dates on GreenNet:


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

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