Premier & Trade, Peter Beattie 10/07/01 Premier Launches E-Mail People's Forum for CHOGM The Queensland Government has opened a People's Forum page on the Internet to "encourage informed debate" about this year's Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Brisbane, Premier Peter Beattie told an Estimates Committee today (Tuesday). "There is a lot of misinformation being spread about CHOGM," Mr Beattie said. "This initiative by the Queensland Government is about balancing the debate with facts. "The People's Forum will help provide: * Answers for people who have misgivings about the aims and ideals of CHOGM; * A public platform where protestors can peacefully demonstrate their opposition by expressing their views on the Internet; * Informed debate about CHOGM. "There may have been people who believed the only way to register their protest was by trying to disrupt CHOGM. "The availability of the People's Forum means that there is now no excuse for any violent or disruptive behaviour during CHOGM. "I invite anyone who has a negative view of CHOGM to check on the facts by using the CHOGM Internet site. "And if anyone still has doubts, send us an e-mail and we'll do our best to respond. "The People's Forum can be accessed through the link on the Queensland Government's official CHOGM website - http://www.chogm2001.qld.gov.au "I want to do everything I can to encourage informed debate about CHOGM. "For example, some people are trying to stir up protests against CHOGM by saying it represents rich and powerful nations. The fact is CHOGM is a champion of the poor and provides a voice for almost one-third of the world's population, with many of them living in the world's poorest countries. "Others are saying CHOGM and the Commonwealth of Nations represent the interests of big business and the so-called establishment, that it is an archaic institution whose members are out of touch with the modern world. "But more than 65 per cent of the people in the Commonwealth of Nations are aged 25 years or less. "CHOGM has commitments to providing money, goods, services, training, better health, education and trained leaders to developing countries in the Commonwealth "The last CHOGM in Durban two years ago decided: 'The greatest challenge… facing us today is how to channel the forces of globalisation for the elimination of poverty and the empowerment of human beings to lead fulfilling lives.' The Premier said that CHOGM - to be held in Brisbane from October 6 to 9 - would be the largest forum of world leaders this year, providing a unique experience for Queenslanders. "CHOGM will be opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, and attended by the leaders of more than 50 nations, about 2000 delegates and 1000 media representatives, generating jobs and investment in Queensland," Mr Beattie said. "This meeting represents the interests of more than 1.7 billion people who aspire to promote peace, democracy, and economic and cultural development. It's about Commonwealth nations helping each other. "But it's much more than an international conference. "The general public will have free access to a Commonwealth People's Centre and a Commonwealth People's Festival from October 2 to 8 that will feature artists and cultural experiences from across the Commonwealth of Nations. "And Commonwealth People's Day on October 7 is a special day for the general public, with Queensland's food, wine and culture on show to the world at Roma Street Parkland." The Premier said further details about the Commonwealth People's Festival and Commonwealth People's Day would be widely advertised, with billboards promoting the events launched yesterday. -- 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
