LL:DDV: Public forum - 'global perspectives, local action'

[Friends of the Earth Fitzroy]

Public forum - 'global perspectives, local action'


The forum will feature Friends of the Earth (FoE) speakers from around
the world who are in Melbourne for the FoE International AGM. Countries
represented at the forum include Nigeria, United States, Costa Rica,
England, Wales & Northern Ireland, Ukraine, Ghana. The speakers will be
discussing current environnmental and social justice campaigns from
around the world.


Sunday 29th November 2-5pm
at the Ecoversity - Australian Conservation Foundation
340 Gore St, Fitzroy

For More Information:
Friends of the Earth .......Phone:  9419-8700; ......FAX: 94162081;
.....EMAIL: [EMAIL PROTECTED]


The Speakers:

Andrea Durbin (FoE-US): Andrea is well known for her work on the
Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI). The MAI was successfully
halted through a concerted international campaign. FoE US played a
leading role in research, community education and tracking of the
negotiations for the MAI.

Nnimmo Bassey (Environmental Rights Action � Nigeria): Nnimmo is a well
known poet and architect and is the Director of Environmental Rights
Action, which undertakes many broad-based campaigns throughout Nigeria.
Originally starting as a group of public interest lawyers, ERA became
focussed on environmental issues when research indicated that up to 80%
of human rights abuses in Nigeria were related to environmental issues
and the behaviour of government policy and transnational activity in
securing acccess to natural resources.

Gabriel Rivas Ducca (Asociacion Ecologista Costarricense � AECO � Costa
Rica): Gabriel is a biologist and social ecologist who has worked on a
large number of campaigns within Central America, including campaigns
against multinational paper companies, open cut gold mining and dams
which would displace farming communities.  He has extensive experience
with conservation of endangered species, forest and wetlands campaigns.
Gabriel is one of the co-ordinators of the FoEI mining campaign and
represents AECO on the FoEI executive committee.

Ronnie Hall (England, Wales & Northern Ireland): Ronnie is co-ordinator
of the FoE International Trade, Environment and Sustainability program.
This campaign aims to harness trade as a positive force in the
development of sustainable societies. This demands more equity within
nations and peoples, a reduction in resource and consumption, increased
trade within local communities and regions, and greater public
participation in government decision-making. FoE monitors negotiations
and agreements by the international and regional trade organisations and
the UN.

Victor Khazan (Ukraine): Many people are unaware of the environment
movement in Eastern Europe. FoE was one of the first environmental
networks to meet up with pre-existing groups in the East and
subsequently has had member groups join in most Eastern European
nations. Victor has experience in agriculture, ecologically sustainable
development, energy, waste and many local campaigns. He has a special
interest in the development of Ukrainian culture and the role of
national minority groups within the broader national identity.
Theo Anderson (Ghana): FoE Ghana is a widely respected NGO which works
on a number of the key environmental issues in western Africa. Theo's
camapign specialties include mining, international financial
institutions and forestry.

This forum follows on from the FoE International annual meeting, which
will be held in Fitzroy from November 24 � 28th. FoE has member groups
in 58 countries and is the largest federation of environmental
organisations in the world. There will be other FoE campaigners from all
regions attending the forum who will be available for comment and
interviews.

Each speaker will give a brief presentation. Please stay on for a cuppa
and chat afterwards



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