Now We the People Conference, Sydney July 2001 The Now We The People project aims to redesign a vision for the future and involve thousands of people in a political discussion process leading up to the July Conference in Sydney. In particular we aim to develop an alternative strategy to economic rationalism and corporate globalisation. For more information: http://www.nowwethepeople.org/ http://www.nowwethepeople.org Community Discussion: To provide input into Conference preparation. The first two discussion topics are: Globalisation and Market Forces and An Australian Bill of Rights. The discussion papers are available from the web site, and are Summarised below. The aim is for groups (community, environmental, women's, Aboriginal, union, etc) to meet and discuss these issues and forward their comments and ideas to the NOW office, for inclusion in the conference agenda and drafts. You and your organisation are invited to attend a discussion on Globalisation and Market Forces at: Tom Foster Community Centre, 11 Darley St, Newtown, Wednesday 21 February 6-8pm. Childcare and refreshments available. >Contact: Cat Kutay 0418 455 089 (w), 9516 1529 (h), 9385 5770 (fax) Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.serg.cse.unsw.edu.au/~ckutay Summary of discussion topics: Globalisation and Market Forces NOW is looking for a better way for Australia than today's market-driven, degrading of citizen's rights and the public (and environmental) good. Included are some guidelines for group discussion. Some of the issues suggested are: Globalisation of capital but also of human solidarity on environmental sustainability; labour, women's, indigenous and all, human rights; jobs and whether greater government intervention is required or should labour flexibility be turned to workers' interest with reduced work hours; industries where the free market approach has left us dependent on primary resources and with little manufacturing sector (or environmentally sustainable industries); economic inequality which is creating a growing divide between the rich and the majority which must be reversed maybe through urban planning; housing or local labour market policies; taxes must be fundamentally reconsidered both to increase equity and to include environmental concerns. An Australia Bill of Rights. While NOW does not plan to draw up the Bill of Rights without the required background in law, people can bring together their key questions and concerns. The main themes that need to be included in such a bill. Information is provided, such as a summary of themes that form the Bill of Rights in New Zealand and other countries. Questions are raised such as should the Bill be in the constitution or as a legislature, as well as individual rights, what other standards should we set for the formation of society (e.g. anti-discrimination, harassment and vilification) and relating to the environment. ================== -- Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Archived at http://www.cat.org.au/lists/leftlink/ Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink LL.NF
