Global Peace And Justice Auckland Newsletter #229

-#229: Protest The 5th Anniversary Of The Invasion And Occupation Of Iraq: Aotea Square 12noon Saturday 15 March.------------

Global Peace And Justice Auckland Newsletter #229, March 8 2008

Website [http://www.gpja.org.nz/] Contact details: Forums – John Minto, Work: (09) 845 2132, Home 09 846 3173 jbminto@xtra.co.nz; Newsletter Editor – Mike Treen 0295254744 / 09 845 4027 mike@unite.org.nz; Web page - [media@ndu.org.nz] Donations can be sent to GPJA, P O Box 7175, Wellesley St, Auckland. To subscribe or unsubscribe to this newsletter visit [http://www.gpja.org.nz/] or click the unsubscribe link at the bottom of this email.

Kia ora koutou,

Saturday 15th March – GPJA Peace March on anniversary of invasion of Iraq. Gather Aotea Square 12noon for march to US Consulate. This protest will also highlight the Israeli invasion of Gaza and brutality towards Palestinians by the Israeli armed forces. Bring banners and placards!

FORWARD Kindly forward this newsletter to your friends and encourage them to join this mailing list @ [http://www.gpja.org.nz/]

QUOTE OF THE WEEK "It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity." - Albert Einstein

WHAT’S ON IN NEW ZEALAND

Wednesday 12 March, Iraq after 5 years of war and occupation. Seminar by Continuing Education, Auckland University. 7-9pm, Room 039, Clock Tower Bldg No. 105, 22 Princes Street Fee (GST incl): $22.50 Student/Unwaged Fee (GST incl): $13.50 Speakers: Heval Hylan , LLB (Baghdad), LLB (Waikato), PGDip Legal Studies Steve Hoadley, PhD

After five years of war and occupation in Iraq what has been achieved and what does the future hold? This seminar will look at foreign involvement in Iraq which has created adversaries and divided friends and allies alike. It is an issue that is both regional and international, and from which no government can walk away because all are implicated in the consequences, even if they did not cause the conflict. An overview of the interests and actions of the major players, together with a discussion of the many factors involved in rebuilding a war-torn Iraq, will reveal that simple solutions are illusory. The seminar, in which the two speakers will present different perspectives, will encompass the need for political renovation of a legitimate and capable state, economic reforms, the creation of rules and institutions that enable a market economy, social reconstruction and issues of national security. The New Zealand government's policy on Iraq will also be discussed. There will be an opportunity at the end of the seminar for questions and discussion. To register contact: Continuing Education, phone 09 373 7599 ext 87831/87832, or email [conted@auckland.ac.nz] Website: www.cce.auckland.ac.nz [http://www.cce.auckland.ac.nz]

Friday, 14 to Sunday, 16 March - 'Promoting peace through active non-violent resistance' is the theme of the 2008 National Peace Workshops - postponed earlier this year, the National Peace Workshops have now been re-scheduled and will be held at the Quaker Settlement, Whanganui, in March. The weekend will include workshops and panel discussions with Maori, Moriori, Pacific and Pakeha contributors who have experience of community and individual non-violent resistance, and/or non-violent direct action in Aotearoa and overseas; as well as workshops on campaigns of our member and other groups. More information and registration details will be available in late January at [http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/npw08.htm]

Saturday, March 15, 8.30am-5pm, Auckland University On 15th March, the Faculty of Law, University of Auckland will be hosting a one-day Symposium entitled "Civil Society: Using Law as a Sword". The symposium will be open to the public, but pre-registration (cost $30) is essential. The organisers of the Symposium are Treasa Dunworth and Kris Gledhill of the Law Faculty, Rt Honourable Ted Thomas, Janfrie Wakim and Deborah Manning. We are also pleased to have the support of the Human Rights Commission with this initiative. If you are interested in this event or wish to register (there is a fee of $30.00) please email Treasa Dunworth at [t.dunworth@auckland.ac.nz] or phone on (09) 3737599 ext 88008.

Thursday 20th March – Pot Luck Dinner with NELSON DAVILA – Venezuela’s Charge D’affairs for Australia, NZ and the Pacific. (See bio details below) Bring something to share to Unite Union office, 6A Western Springs Road, Western Springs, Auckland, 6pm. All welcome!

Friday 21st March – Special GPJA March Forum – A forum not to be missed! Meeting details: Trades Hall, 147 Great North Road, Grey Lynn. 7.30pm Revolutionary Venezuelan diplomat, NELSON DAVILA to speak. Nelson, who is based in Canberra, is Venezuela's charge d'affaires for Australia, NZ and the Pacific. He is not your traditional diplomat, starting out as a student activist, then becoming an indigenous rights activist, and joining Huge Chavez's secret revolutionary group inside the Venezuelan armed forces. He is one of President Chavez's closest and most trusted political collaborators right up to this day.

Nelson will speak about the nature of the Venezuelan revolutionary process, including the recent formation of the five million strong United Socialist Party of Venezuela, the government's strong support for indigenous rights in Venezuela, and the growth of Communal Councils which have delegated powers to decide on local and regional priorities along with a huge chunk of state funding to implement their own plans at the grassroots.

Nelson is hoping that his tour will give impetus to the establishment of a broad-based, inclusive Venezuela solidarity movement in New Zealand. It is hoped Nelson’s tour (one week in NZ) will result in the creation of a nationwide Venezuela solidarity network pave the way for a visit to New Zealand by President Chavez.

April 10th to 19th – The Hollow Men comes to Auckland One Man One Mission Many Advisers .. The Hollow Men Acclaimed Play The Hollow Men Brings Politics Up-close in Auckland in April. Written by Auckland writer Dean Parker and based on Nicky Hager’s controversial book, The Hollow Men is at Maidment Theatre, Auckland from Thursday 10 April to Saturday 19 April for 10 performances only. The Hollow Men examines the months of Don Brash’s leadership of the National Party leading up to the 2005 election. The play had its world premiere in Wellington in September last year followed by a season in Palmerston and then a return season in Wellington. “Exciting, funny and totally absorbing” – Dominion Post "Full of half-lies" -- National Business Review "Who was it described John Key as the priest with his hand on your knee...?" -- The Hollow Men. In The Hollow Men, the cast plays a variety of political movers and shakers; many of whom still walk the corridors of parliament today. The Hollow Men plays at Maidment Theatre, Auckland for a strictly limited season from 10-19 April. Book by phoning 09 308 2383 or online at www.maidment.auckland.ac.nz [http://www.maidment.auckland.ac.nz].

Monday 7th April: GPJA Monthly Forum, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Road, Grey Lynn. 7.30pm Anti Terror laws – Special Forum to update on the campaign to repeal the anti-terror laws. Details of panellists to follow.

Monday 12th May: GPJA Monthly Forum, Trades Hall, 147 Great North Road, Grey Lynn. 7.30pm Maher Mughrabi, Palestinian writer and journalist now working in Melbourne at The Age and a member of the Palestinian Diaspora. This meeting comes just two days before the anniversary of al Nakba – the anniversary of the proclaiming of the state of Israel in Tel Aviv.

~ Ongoing - Help us ban cluster bombs, online petition: "I support the global call to ban cluster bombs", you can add your name at [http://www.stopclusterbombs.org.nz/take-action/petition/]

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Support the defence of activists arrested in the so-called “anti-terror raids” A CD of great music… Double CD & Booklet $25 TU KOTAHI - Freedom Fighting Anthems 25 excellent tracks of sheer Kiwi music/voice !!!!!!!!! >From CD sleeve note:- "Tu Kotahi - Freedom Fighting Anthems" is a non-profit, consciousness raising project. All funds will go to organisations in Aotearoa who are working specifically with those affected by the Oct 15th 2007 state raids. The booklet, called Wahanui, was put together by Conscious Collaborations T Shirts "Ke Whawhai Tonu Matu" $25 (orders taken - state size required) To order or to help sell - Contact VANESSA - [spadarkle@hotmail.com] Ph 09 836 9002 [http://www.freedomfighterscd.org.nz/]

CLIMATE CHANGE - SOCIAL CHANGE CONFERENCE, APRIL 11-13, 2008, SYDNEY The world is teetering on the brink of unstoppable climate change. Many now recognise the need for serious change in the way we produce and use energy, our transport systems, food production, urban design and forestry practices. Yet politicians are still mouthing platitudes while allowing corporations to continue to profit from polluting our atmosphere and destroying our ecosystem. The need for social change has become an urgent part of preventing catastrophic climate change. Can the market fix the problem? What is the real record of carbon trading? How can we build a social movement capable of averting this disaster? What models and experiences can offer real solutions? To strengthen the exchange of ideas and contribute towards that urgent action Green Left Weekly is organising the Climate Change - Social Change conference from April 11-13, 2008 in Sydney. We are pleased to have confirmed: - John Bellamy Foster, author of Marx's Ecology: Materialism and Nature, editor of Monthly Review ([http://sociology.uoregon.edu/faculty/foster.php]) - Patrick Bond, Director of the Centre for Civil Society, University of Natal, South Africa; editor of Climate Change, Carbon Trading and Civil Society www.zcommunications.org/zspace/patrickbond [http://www.zcommunications.org/zspace/patrickbond] [http://www.zcommunications.org/zspace/patrickbond] - Roberto Perez, Cuban permaculturalist (featured in The Power of Community: how Cuba survived peak oil) () We invite your participation in making this more than just an exchange of ideas - important as that is - but a part of building up resistance to corporate-led climate change and strengthening the movement for sustainable development. To receive updates about the conference, send an email to [climatechange_socialchangeconf_announce-subscribe@yahoogroups.com] Please forward this conference call to your networks. In solidarity, Kamala Emanuel and Pip Hinman, Climate Change - Social Change conference organisers

ANNOUNCING THE MAY DAY 2008 BRIGADE TO VENEZUELA Registration deadline: March 30th, 2008 (including payment). The Australia-Venezuela Solidarity Network’s (AVSN) next solidarity brigade to Venezuela is schedule for May 2008 and will coincide with May Day (May 1st) in Venezuela. The brigade will be a unique opportunity to see first-hand the unfolding revolution in Venezuela. If you are interested in being part of this inspiring and educational experience, please send the completed registration form to [brigades@venezuelasolidarity.org]

BEST ON THE WEB

NEW ZEALAND

Link to excellent 25 minute interview of Dr Hans Koechler by Jane Kelsey during his recent visit to Auckland - produced by Kamal of Teamwork Productions. Will be on Darpan - The Mirror, Triangle TV, 4pm Saturday March 15? 2008. [http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5534185595806557954]

The latest Greenpeace GE Free Food Guide reflects a strong ongoing non-GE position from New Zealand food companies and an unprecedented anti-GE stance from Australasia's largest food company. [http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0801/S00243.htm]

WORLD ECONOMY The new Bank of the South assaults neoliberal economics [http://www.forumdesalternatives.org/EN/readarticle.php?article_id=4616]

AFGHANISTAN NATO winning battles, losing Afghanistan: "Make no mistake", begins a new issue brief from non-partisan think-tank the Atlantic Council of the United States, "NATO is not winning in Afghanistan". [http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/JB02Df02.html]

IRAQ New analysis ‘confirms’ 1 million+ Iraq casualties [http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0802/S00012.htm]

LATIN AMERICA ALBA, an Economic Alternative for Latin America [http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/analysis/3116] Indianismo and Marxism: The Missed Encounter of Two Revolutionary Principles by Álvaro García Linera, vice president of Bolivia [http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/garcia310108.html]

WEST SAHARA Swedish Fund Öhman to divest from Wesfarmers Australia - The Australia Wester Sahara Association (AWSA) applauds the decision of Öhman Funds from Sweden to divest from the Australian phosphate company CSBP (Wesfarmers) due to its imports of phosphate rock from the occupied Western Sahara. [http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0802/S00019.htm]

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