Kia ora

This email is an open invitation to Aotearoa media activists to participate in the Aotearoa Indymedia Convergence 2007. The Convergence will be held in Tamaki Makaurau (Auckland), 2-4 February 2007. For more details of venue and programme as they are confirmed please join our general email list:
http://lists.indymedia.org/imc-aotearoa

or keep an eye on these wiki pages:
https://docs.indymedia.org/view/Aotearoa/AimConvergence07

Indymedia is a global network of volunteer-run working groups that create and maintain a range of projects designed to allow grassroots activists and community organisers to 'become the media'. Being part of a larger network with agreed operating principles potentially allows media activists to rival the global reach and resources of the corporate media without losing our autonomy, our ability as individuals and groups to control our own tools and direct our own work. The Principles of Unity that define how Indymedia works can be read here: http://indymedia.org.nz/mod/info/display/principles/index.php

One of these principles is that Indymedia activity is organised in a transparent and inclusive way and the current crew of Aotearoa Indymedia volunteers would be thrilled to see new faces (or the return of those who have been involved in the past) at this year's Convergence. The network stays healthier and more dynamic with a regular in-flow of new volunteers. It's also helpful to get feedback and ideas about the way Indymedia is evolving from people working in activism and independent media who don't currently wish to be actively involved in Indymedia organising.

The purpose of this event is to create space for a range of people
involved in independent media in Aotearoa to:
* meet each other and learn about each other's projects
* shares skills
* discuss issues affecting media freedom and access
* brainstorm strategy and tactics for what we can do to make media that allow communities to share their stories rather than media that broadcasts the profit-motivated propaganda of corporations and their lackeys.

Some discussion will be focused on reviewing the work that has been done in the development of the Aotearoa Independent Media Centre (IMC) over the last 5 years including: * the open-publishing news website at http://aotearoa.indymedia.org
* establishment of country-wide working groups (eg radio and video)
* establishment of local groups to connect us with active communities and carry out projects like film screenings and the W(i)ndy print publication.

There will also opportunities to talk about how existing and potential Indymedia tools could help media activists achieve their own organisational goals and to plan collaborations and new projects for 2007 and beyond.

A number of practical workshops and discussion sessions have already been proposed but the programme will be as flexible as possible so if you would like to present a workshop or facilitate a discussion, please email imc-aotearoa@lists.indymedia.org with details.

Whether or not you are able to come to the Convergence you are welcome
to be part of Indymedia by:
* posting article, comments or multimedia on the AIM site
* joining or starting a local group
* joining local, national and international Indymedia email lists
* chatting on the irc server at http://chat.indymedia.org.
* contributing to our wiki at https://docs.indymedia.org/view/Aotearoa/

Please pass this invite on to others in your group and networks who might be interested.

Kia Kaha
Strypey

ENDS

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