Session Schedule

SESSION TIMESLOTS

Below is the schedule for sessions at the 2004 Forum.

Last update to the Workshop Session Timeslots:
Friday, 17 September, 2004 9:58 AM

REGISTERED SESSIONS - FINAL SCHEDULE

SESSION 1
SATURDAY 18 September
10:45 - 12:00

Speak my Language
Exploring Indigenous Language
Richard Green is on of the foremost experts on Aboriginal languages in Sydney. He is also a poet and musician. In this workshop he will talk about misconceptions and misappropriations of Aboriginal words, the importance of keeping Aboriginal languages alive as well as giving particpants a crash course in Darug speak.
Richard Green

Reclaiming the Commons:
A launch of the Commons Institute (TCI)
The commons were traditionally defined as the environmental resources such as a forest, the atmosphere, fisheries or grazing land - elements of the environment that we all share. But today, the commons need to be understood within the cultural sphere as well. For the commons to thrive, we must work to protect and enhance our natural environment and promote aspects of our cultural heritage. An important aspect of this is the sharing of information and education of the wider public of Australia. This workshop will discuss the issue of the commons, as well as act as the foundation meeting for the Commons Institute (TCI).
The Commons Institute

Poor Country Debt: Still an issue
An overview will be given of the Jubilee/'drop the debt' campaign from its origins in 1996 until the climax in 2000. Issues that face the next decade will be raised, in particular how we can respond to the injustice of unsustainable poor country debt.
Stewart Mills
Jubilee Australia

Unravelling the intricacies of the
Temporary Protection Visas (TPV) system for refugees
This session will focus on Amnesty International Australia's Campaign for Permanent Protection. Some of the questions we'll be answering include: What is a TPV? Is it a breach of Australia's obligations? What do the latest changes as proposed by the government really mean? How is Amnesty campaigning for permanent protection? You will also get the opportunity to develop your skills so that you can go and see your MP about refugee issues.
Amnesty International
Brett Solomon, Refugee Campaign Coordinator

Education funding:
Privatising the way Australians go to school
John and Sally will lead a discussion on the Howard government's funding of private schools and the impact it is having on public education and Australian society.
John Kaye, Greens NSW
Sally Edsall, NSW Teachers Federation Research Officer

Australian aid and the new interventionism:
Corporations or Communities?
Australian aid has long been delivered with the interests of a handful of small private companies at the forefront. Interventions in the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea illustrate a new front foot approach to Australia's role in the region that challenges issues of sovereignty and self determination. This workshop aims to illuminate Australians on how aid is delivered, who is really benefitting and what are the likely outcomes for people living in neighbouring countries.
Sharni Chan & Tim O'Connor
AID/WATCH

Stirring things up! Practical Union Organising at Work
We've all had 'issues' at some stage at work - from dodgy employers and managers, to wondering exactly what our entitlements are, or making sure you're getting a fair go with hours and leave entitlements etc. In this session two experienced workplace union delegates will go through some practical organising tips: how you go about talking 'politics' with your co-workers, getting people thinking through workplace issues and joining the union - how you can help activate your workplace and stand up for your rights at work.
Sue Johnson, Public Service Association delegate
Susan Price, National Tertiary Education Union delegate

Supermarket Activism
Supermarket activism was extremely important and effective in forcing genetically engineered (GE) food off the shelves in Europe and NZ. Supermarket campaigning can be regarded as market intervention and public engagement, not just a protest. How can we use consumerism to build power, rather than just expressing our lack of power? Discussion will ask how Stupidmarkets are strategically important and explore this new campaign space.
Greenpeace
Sydneysiders against GE, and a bunch of kick-arse Kiwis

How can we revitalise coalitions against
free trade in Australia?
You're invited to an open discussion evaluating coalitions against Free Trade up until now, and looking into the future - what do we need to do?
Global trade Watch, but also student groups

SESSION 2
SATURDAY 18 September
12:15 - 1:30

Beyond a sandstone curtain
Western Woodlands, declining natural icons of Western NSW
Few people in NSW are aware of what lies beyond the sandsone curtain. This session explores NSW's magnificent Western Woodland icons and includes activities to help protect the schrinking green lungs of Western NSW.
Cecile van der Burgh
National Parks Association NSW Western Woodlands Project Officer

Eye-witness Report from Israel/Palestine
International Human Rights March of Women 2003/4
In December/January this year. Vivienne Porzsolt of Jews Against the Occupation -Sydney, participated in this March with over 100 women from all over the world. The aim was to work with Israeli and Palestinian women peace activists to promote a peaceful resolution to the conflict and to witness the impact of the Occupation on both sides. The women travelled throughout Israel/Palestine – including Jerusalem, Nazareth, Golan Heights, Ramallah, Bethlehem, Nablus, Hebron, Jenin, Tul Karem, Qalqilya and the gates of Gaza. Vivienne will present personal descriptions and images of her experiences on the March. Vivienne is a founding member of Jews against the Occupation Sydney. JAO is part of a growing number of Jews around the world who are speaking out against the continuing denial of human and national rights to Palestinians by the State of Israel. We work for justice, peace and reconciliation between the two peoples in the land of Palestine/Israel.
Vivienne Porzsolt, Jews Against the Occupation

Fighting the Global AIDS Pandemic
Speakers will address the issues surrounding this pandemic - the black plaugue of the last & this centuary. 100 million people will be infected by 2010; 3 million people died of AIDS last year and the 3rd world, which is groaning under the enormity of this illness, is still being denied the drugs to save it's people. What solutions/aid can first world activists give? What movements are winning against all odds? Come to great discussion and debate examining the global and Australian fight against the disease.
Organised by Community Action Against Homophobia
with Tim O'Connor, Aid/Watch PNG program and 2 other speakers

Finding a Way Forward for Peace
This workshop will involve an analysis of Australia's situation now and how Australian citizens can move forward to put peace back on the political agenda.
Ruth Russel, Human Shield in Iraq

Free Trade and the Challenges for Democracy
The session features Jacques-Chai Chomthongdi (Thailand), of Focus on the Global South, discussing the fight against the growing emergence of bilateral free trade agreements in the region. Jim Redden, formerly of Oxfam and the Australian Council for International Development, and a member of Australia’s WTO Advisory Committee at Doha and Cancun, talking on the state of play in current WTO negotiations, and the relationship between trade and sustainable development. And Pat Ranald from AFTINET, providing an insight into the Australia-US FTA and the new frontier of free trade in Australia.
Jacques-chai Chomthongdi, Focus on the Global South
Jim Redden, Australian Council for International Development
Pat Ranald, AFTINET

Shaking up politics - what impact of a united left?
This panel will open discussion about the growing impact of socialist ideas and activism are having on Australian politics, from the trade union to social movement to "ideological" arenas.
Alex Miller, Raul Bassi, Lisa Macdonald
Socialist Alliance

Work For the Dole: Legalised Slavery
StandUp! is angry people on welfare sick of being treated like dirt by government and the media. All people deserve a living wage and dignity not defined by paid labour - not government policies which punish people simply for being poor. Social Security is a right for all a right not a privilege.
Stand Up!
Bill Keats, Andrew Thomson

SESSION 3
SATURDAY 18 September
3:00 - 4:15

Lake Cowal Campaign Update
This workshop will look at where the campaign is at to protect the sacred heartland of the Wiradjuri Nation, Lake Cowal, from a proposed gold mine. Traditional owner and elder Uncle Chappie will outline current and future actions, and activities to stop the mine. Come along, listen and learn!
Elder Uncle Chappie
Binnie O'Dwyer , Friends of the Earth

Fixing our democracy
Four speakers from different organisations open a discussion of what's wrong with the current poitical system by addressing the following questions:
What’s wrong with our democracy?
What can we do about it?
What sort of organisation is needed to help build a better future?
Session put together by Anne Picot, member of Organising Committee for the SSF and of the International Socialist Organisation.
David Roffey Northshore peace and Democrcacy,
Jenny Leong, Greens NSW
Angela Budai, Socialist Alliance
Tom Barnes, International Socialist Organisation

Is Australian Feminism a Museum Piece?
A facilitated discussion, all encouraged to contribute. This workshop aims to animate as many voices as possible discussing feminism and its meaning to young women now. At a time when womens rights are under attack, young womens voices are not heard in the political sphere and women do not want to identify as feminists it will bring together advocates, activists, workers, students and interested women to discuss the prospects for feminism in Australia today.
If you are interested in receiving a discussion starter to read before the session please contact:
Melanie Gilbank
melanie@sydneysocialforum.org / 0403 051 606

Iraq is Still the Issue
Panel intros followed by open discussion:
* Life in post-invasion iraq – a daily, deadly chore
* Invasion has become occupation
* The ruthless US military-political-corporate agenda
* Iraq and the Middle-East
* The Australian role in Iraq
* Democracy in Iraq: The Iraqi Resistance
* Organising locally to support Iraqi self-determination
Stop the War Coalition
Donna Mulhearn, Jarvis Ryan, Ruth Russel

Movement Action Plan (MAP)
Movement Action Plan (MAP) was developed by U.S. activist educator Bill Moyer. MAP provides an explanatory framework to comprehend the stages of advocacy roles entailed in successful social movements. The model's apparent simplicity may hold the key to its appeal and practical application to activists who seek to analyse, plan and enhance their campaigns. This workshop introduces the key components of MAP. The eight stages and four activist roles provide a language and a framework for discussions and analyses. MAP also prompts the development of alternative explanations and theories.
Sam La Rocca, The Environmental Advocacy Project
James Whelan, GE & Toxics Campaigns, Greenpeace

Shooting from the Lip: Aussie Hip-Hop Gets Political
What do you think the opportunities and limitations are for music as a force for positive change? Beat producer Candy Royalle will chat with MCs Morganics, Urthboy and Ozzie Batla and Aussie hip-hop afficionado Cinnamon from 2SER about the recent explosion of political hip-hop in the mainstream and underground.
MCs Morganis, Urthboy and Ozzie Batla
2SER presenter Cinnamon

Stop Violence Against Women Campaign
This session will be focus on Amnesty International Australia's campaign to Stop Violence Against Women! which was launched on March 8th 2004. The aim of this campaign is to highlight violence against women as a Human Rights abuse. Amnesty International will mobilise our worldwide membership to demand action at the international, national and local level. This will be a six year campaign with the first two years focusing on VAW in conflict and post conflict situations and VAW in the family.
Amnesty International
Annalisa Rigby, NSW Women's Network Convenor

What would it take to get free education?
Discussion aimed at inspiring & reinvigorating connections between generations of education activists, to touch base, to recall experiences and to talk about new ideas for students (not just of institutions, but of society). The workshop will address and ask:
-What vision do we have for free education?
-What would it take to get there?
-What is possible, what's not?
-What pedagogical structures can we create for ourselves?
-Education activism on and off campus... discussion of continuing education activism in workplaces, communities, campaigns etc.
Rachel Rowe
UTS Education Collective & others

Fairtrade: Making Global Agriculture Work For
Small Farmers
In the context of Australia’s recent “Free” Trade Agreement with the
United States, a faltering WTO process to deliver greater global equity in agricultural trade, and depressed markets for many agricultural commodities, Natasha Lewis will discuss the Fairtrade
movement and how it is delivering real benefits to small farmers and agricultural workers in developing countries. The cases of coffee, tea and chocolate – dear to the hearts of many Australians – will be highlighted to demonstrate how Fairtrade works and how we, as consumers and citizens in developed countries, can help make global agriculture work for small farmers.
Fair Trade Association of Australia and New Zealand
Natasha Lewis
Founding member of FTAANZ, Organic Trader

SESSION 4
SATURDAY 18 September
4 :30 - 5:45

Australia and the war on terrorism
The Australian government has enthusiastically signed up to the US's war on terrorism. What are the consequences for Australia's relationships in our region, civil rights in Australia and Arab and Muslim communities in particular? What are the long term consequences for Australian society from signing onto the US war on terrorism. Stephen Hooper will speak of experiences as solicitor for Mamdouh habib, one of the two Australians detained at Guantanamo Bay. Kerry Nettle will speak on the war on terrorism and Australia's relationship with the United States and Vicki Sentas will look at the criminalisation of communities and strategies for community based resistance.
Stephen Hooper, Solicitor for Mamdouh Habib
Senator Kerry Nettle, NSW Greens
Vicki Sentas, UTS Community Law Centre & Civil Rights Network

Direct action in a time of huge fines and crazy laws
What is the future for creative protest and civil disobedience?
In recent years community campaigners have faced escalating fines and special purpose laws to deter protest and make civil disobedience prohibitively expensive. For Dave Burgess and Will Saunders, their protest against the invasion of Iraq ended in a jail sentence. Dave leads a discussion about what all this means for the future of protest.
Dave Burgess & Will Saunders,
who painted "No War" on the Sydney Opera House

Life After Capitalism
The phrase "Another World is Possible" has become one of the defining slogans of the growing movement against corporate globalisation. But what exactly is that other world? If we were to successfully rid ourselves of capitalism, what might our society look like? Z-Net editor Michael Albert's "participatory economics" is one idea about how society could be radically changed for the better. In this session you are challenged to "dare to dream" in a discussion of strategies and ideas for a society genuinely based on democracy, solidarity, co-operation and the real needs of people and our environment.
Vince Caughley
International Socialist Organisation

One election post Tampa - how much has changed?
Three years ago, the Howard government made Australia's treatment of asylum seekers a pivotal issue in an election based on fear. One election on, has opposition to the government's hard line on asylum seekers resulted in any real policy change? How much have community perceptions of refugees changed? And what future is there for just treatment of asylum seekers in Australia?
Alanna Sherry, ChilOut (Children Out of Detention)
Kirsten Whalley, Refugee Action Coalition
Peter Bell, Friends of Refugees North West

QUEERUPTION: A free DIY radical queer gathering
QUEERUPTION has so far happened in London, New York, San Francisco, Berlin and this year in Amsterdam. In Feb 2005 Queeruption comes to Sydney! Every Queeruption is a little different from the last one, shaped by the people who plan it, the community that makes it happen and the possibilities of each new location. Ongoing discussions within the community include topics of race, class and cultural exclusivity, ablism, gender binarism/ transphobia and the reproduction of oppressive sexual norms within radical communities. The Queeruption session will discuss these issues and the opportunities interested people have in getting involved in organising and participating in Queeruption Sydney.
Nassim and co

The present revolutionary struggle in Turkey:
Death Fast Resistance against F-Type Prisons (Isolation)
We will be presenting about the Death Fast resistance in the prisons of Turkey which has been going on for 4 years and is still continuing. Isolation is the policy of the ruling classes of Turkey. The aim of this isolation torture policy is to destroy the hope of the people by putting them in individual cells and isolating them from life - to make revolutionaries fighting for change in Turkey live on their knees. 117 comrades have fallen as martyrs so far. 28 of them were masacred in the 19-22 december 2000 national prison raid by the army. There is an important role and responsibilty for us people of the world to be in solidarity with this anti-imperialist resistance and stand up against the fascist policy of isolation which is responsible for our 117 lives. (Palestininan prisoners have started a similar resistance for similar reasons).
Mesut Eroksuz, TAYAD Commitee
TAYAD is a Turkish word for "Solidarity With the Families of Prisoners

Venezuela's unfolding revolution
Since the election of Hugo Chavez in 1998, Venezuela has gone through a massive economic,political and social transformation.
What has been called the Bolivarian Revolution has taken Latin America and the rest of the world by storm. Once again the people of the region are standing up to U.S imperialism and are providing an alternative to the neo-liberal agenda. This workshop will in detail go through what the Bolivarian revolution stands for and look at what solidarity work can be done in Australia.
Roberto Jorquera
Committees in Solidarity with Latin America and the Caribbean

Water in the Australian Context
An open forum discussing the issues facing sustainable water supplies in the Australian Context. The focus will be on the issues facing both urban water supplies and rural irrigation supplies including environmental flows, urban growth, water reuse and privatisation.
David Knights, Ecological Engineering
Warwick Moss, WWF

The ABCs of FTAs, IFIs and the WTO:
Introduction to the free trade debate
Free trade is gaining an increasingly large focus in the public arena. But one thing that has certainly become apparent is that it is a very complex issue. This session aims to give participants an understanding of the players, the theories, and why so many people around the world are fighting against this concept
which has been called "free trade".
Tim Anderson, School of Political Economy, Sydney University,
James Arvanitakis, Research Initiative on International Activism
Chris Dubrow, ATTAC

Abolishing the States
Rather than seeing the states as enabling democracy, we see them as letting governments buck pass and evade responsibility. We look at the problems with the current system, and the possibilities for change.
John August, Beyond Federation

SESSION 5
SUNDAY 19 September
10 :30 - 11:45

Iraq under Occupation - an eyewitness account
Hear a vivid eyewitness account of life in occupied Iraq, including photos and video footage. From the practical struggles of daily life in Baghdad, to the violence of the massacre in Fallujah as well as the views of ordinary Iraqis about Australia's involvement.
Donna Mulhearn, Human shield in Iraq

The Global Economy 101
WTO, IMF, WEF, ECA, World Bank, ADB??? Ever get confused by the acronyms? This session will demystify the letters that have come to represent how our world works by giving you low down on each institution and what nasty things they get up to.
Chris Dubrow, ATTAC Australia
Kate Walsh, AID/WATCH

15 since the Cockatoo dockyard occupation:
In film & speech
15 years ago, the Hawke Labor government tried to sell off the Cockatoo Island dockyards to Kerry Packer. This film & talk offers insights into a nationally significant dispute that involved thousands of workers striking and occupying the dockyards.
John Tognolini, occupation participant

Corporate engagement and community campaigning
With the rise of corporate power over political institutions, there are growing discussions amongst activists about the power of communities, consumers and NGOs to affect corporate behaviour. How to most effectively engage with the corporate sector: the carrot? the stick? To collaborate, to criticise or to ignore? Speakers with experience working on both sides of the fence will reflect and skillshare with workshop participants.
Binnie O'Dwyer, Friends of the Earth
Leanne Minchell, environmental analyst
Joanne McNeill, stakeholder engagement specialist
Glen Klatovsky, World Wildlife Fund

Fighting for Same Sex Marriage Rights
Come hear about the homophobic legislation, introduced in August, the federal Marriage Amendment Act. Find out why it has to be fought against, what lessons we can take from the courageous campaigners in the US and Canada and what to do next.
Organised by Community Action Against Homophobia

Introduction to the 'Now We The People' project
Now We The People is a national network of people committed to working towards alternatives to economic rationalism and the social injustice it propogates. Come and join in the growing network.
Peter Murphy, Now We the People

Large NGOs and the Grassroots
Feel like large NGOs are engaging the community enough? Or involved in a large NGO and frustrated with everybody's expectations to support their cause? The SSF is a great forum for activists from all background to get together and share perspectives on how we all work together as a movement.
Tina Meckel and Kieran Longridge, Greenpeace

Living in Exile:
Keeping up the fight a long way from home
This session aims to give an insight into how comunities in exile maintain the struggle for freedom in their homelands. Representatives from struggles in Burma, Aceh, West Papua and other exiled countries will report on their experiences and the campaigns they are involved in.
Representatives from Burma, West Papua, Aceh, Western Sahara and all others wanting to share their stories

SESSION 6
SUNDAY 19 September
12:00 - 1:15

Death of a young man from Redfern Community and
Police relations with Indigenous people
Ray will present the history of the incident leading to the young man's death and the responses of police, government, and the Aboriginal community in Redfern to illustrate the continuing experience of racism and its corrosive effect on all of us.
Ray Jackson
Indigenous Social Justice Association

Defending Militant trade unionism
Unions activists have been facing a tought time with increasing criminalisation of union activities under the Coalition government. But new challenges have emerged with the conviction of former AMWU secretary Craig Johnston, and the Victorian Labor government successfully pushing for his suspended sentence to be overturned in favour of a jail term. This session will details the facts about the Johnston case, and highlight the plans for the campaign at a range of worksites and in social movements.
The Free Craig Johnson Campaign, Sydney

Development in Rural India
The session will consist of a short talk and 2x20min films that will highlight AID's work in India. One film depicts women's self-empowerment groups in villages in Tamil Nadu. The other film depicts training instigated by AID for tribal artisans in Orissa state.
Lesley Branagan, Kumar Kondepudi
Association for India's Development, Sydney

Ending Australia's nuclear cycle
How much further to go?
This year Jabiluka uranium mine was abandoned; the Kungka Tjuta forced the Government to abandon its intention to build a nuclear waste dump in South Australia; and NT, WA and SA have brought in legislation preventing radioactive waste dump siting within their states. What more do we have to do to stop the new reactor at Lucas Heights and end the Australian nuclear cycle?
Lorraine Dixon, People Against a New Nuclear Reactor
Adam Dempsey, Greenpeace

Impact of the War on Terrorism and Rights and
Sovereignty in the Philippines
The war on terrorism is used as a pretext for the intervention of US troops in the Philippines. Industrial action by workers has been tagged "industrial terrorism", and progressive electoral candidates targetted as "terrorists". The workshop will analyse the implications and Solidarity possibilities.
Action for Peace and Development in the Philippines
Peter Brock, JaneCorpus, Peter Murphy

The Politics of Abortion
Abortion rights have returned to the media spotlight after the ABC screening of My Foetus and comments by Federal Health Minister, Tony Aboott, that Australian abortion rates are a 'national tragedy'. This interactive session aims to:
*critically examine the recent attacks on abortion;
*discuss access and equity to abortion services for women in Australia today; and
*determine how we can work together to counter anti-abortion attacks and improve services for women.
Marg Kirkby
Women's Abortion Action Collective (WAAC)

Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
Documentary screenings and current campaigns
Three short documentaries about Sea Shepherd. Sea Shepherd is committed to the eradication of pirate whaling, poaching, shark finning, unlawful habitat destruction, and violations of established laws in the World's oceans. The screenings are intended to stimulate discussion about the marine conservation movement and direct action campaigning. This forum could be part of a broad conservation campaign or other forums.
Frances Evans, Sea Shepherd

The Global Justice Movement 10 Years on From Chiapas
Ten years since the Zapatista uprising on 1 January 1994, the global movement against 'neoliberalism' has grown. From a series of protests at Seattle, Melbourne, Genoa, Cancun and elsewhere, to the international Social Forum movement, it is clear that the 'globalisation' project is facing stiff resistance in many quarters. In this session, speakers will introduce discussion on how has the local and international movement has developed. Along the way they'll be asking: What have been our strengths? What are the challenges that it we have faced? What is on the horizon? How do we respond?
James Goodman, Research Initiative on International Activism
Vince Caughley, International Socialist Organisation

What the EFIC is EFIC?
"If the World Bank is a colonizing army hamstrung by red tape and bureaucracy, the Export Credit Agencies (ECAs) are freewheeling, marauding mercenaries." Arundhati Roy ‘Power Politics’.
Come and hear about the new kids on the international financial block – export credit agencies. They are bigger than the World Bank, fund nastier projects and are virtually unaccountable to the taxpayers who fund them.
Kate Walsh, AID/WATCH

Rainforest in your Shampoo...
Oil Palm and its destructive role in our region
Oil palm is little known in Australia but is promoted to countries in our region as their savior in the quest for export led economic development. This workshop will outline where Oil Palm is used and explain the social and environmental concerns associated with its promotion with a focus on Papua New Guinea. A recent conference in PNG amongst customary landowners on this issue was attended by landowners and an update on this groundbreaking event will also be included.
Tim Anderson and Tim O'Connor, AID/WATCH

Community Organising in Australia
Community organising methods aim to build power in communities by facilitating effective grassroots democratic participation. The method has been hugely successful in the USA and the UK, building massive networks of active and informed communities. Come to this workshop to find out about the project in Australia and how you can get involved.
The Community Organising Project
Kate Lee, Australian Services Union
Amanda Tattersal, Labor Council of NSW

SESSION 7
SUNDAY 19 September
2:45 - 4:00

Aboriginal Tent Embassy Update
The Aboriginal Tent Embassy was established in 1972 to represent Aboriginal People from all the Nations of this land. Aboriginal Sovereignty has never been ceded. The Sovereign Law of the First Nations must be respected. Today the Aboriginal Tent Embassy is more relevant than ever to the fight for Land Rights and human rights. Genocide is still going on against Aboriginal People. And there is still no legal consent for this foreign government to occupy these lands. This year, after the abolishment of the electoral arm of ATSIC, the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in Victoria Park was re-established with the aim of forming Aboriginal Sovereign Government. Aunty Isobel Coe is working with community leaders in Redfern and from across Aboriginal Australia to see real solutions to the third-world conditions aboriginal people in Australia are forced to live in.
Delegates from the Aboriginal Tent Embassy

Perspectives from the Global South
The impacts of 'globalisation' and free trade have been felt strongly in the developing countries of the global 'South'- and it is generally the wealthy countries of the "North" (EU, Nth America) who have benefited. Jacques-Chai works with Focus on the Global South in Bangkok, which was founded the same year the World Trade Organisation came into existence. Focus engages in research, analysis and actions to help combat the impact of globalisation on the daily lives and struggles of the poor and marginalised people in the South of the world. Jacques-Chai is also active in the Thai FTA (free trade agreement) Watch campaign. This is a national coalition campaigning against the FTAs, especially the Thailand-Australia and Thailand-US FTA. FTA Watch is active on many issues, including privatisation, access to drugs and GMOs.
Jacques-chai Chomthongdi
Focus on the Global South (Bangkok)

Aiding Climate Change
From the shores of Tuvalu to the oil fields of Nigeria, climate change is causing havoc in many communities. What is Australia’s role in promoting and funding climate change in the majority world?
Kate Walsh, AID/WATCH

Community TV: Building an Alternative Voice
Come along to this video presentation about community media from independent media makers who are helping to make sure our media isn't just that served up by Packer and Murdoch and which highlights the real issues affecting people and our community.
Actively Radical TV

FILM: Rumble in Mumbai - 2004 World Social Forum
Rumble in Mumbai documents the World Social Forum held in Mumbai, India in January, 2004. Over 100,000 people attended this year's forum, all looking to build solidarity--and a better world. With interviewees like Shirin Ebadi, Jose Bove, Nawal Saadawi, and Walden Bello, and featuring the eloquent speeches of Arundhati Roy, Mustafa Barghouti, Jeremy Corbyn, and Irene Khan, Rumble in Mumbai is packed with high-caliber critiques of neo-liberalism gone awry, and damning indictments of the ill effects of globalization. And as with the forum itself, marginalized voices are here given a platform to air their grievances: Dalit rights, handloom weaver unionization, South Asian LGBT issues, communalism and secretarianism, the plight of Palestinians living in the shadow of a new Apartheid wall--these issues and many more are explored.
Directed by Jawad Metni

NGOs in a time of conservative government
Have funding cuts muffled the most critical voices?
The majority of non-government organisations rely on government funding for a significant proportion of their income. What happens to these groups' ability to critique government policy, and advocate for the interests of their members, when this funding is threatened? How have NGOs responded to the aggressive attacks of government on its most vocal critics?
Brooke Flanagan, ex-Nature Conservation Council
Soraya Kassim, local government communities worker
Sarah Maddison, politics and public policy academic UNSW

Profiting from the reconstruction of Iraq
Readers will be available previous to session to inform discussion surrounding the corporate nature of the re-construction of Iraq. Discussion will also involve what we can do and how we can make an impact.
Mutiny Collective

Renegade Economists investigate our Pyramid Society
Why does Moscow have more billionaires than any other? Discuss a system that returns resources to the centerpiece of all (economic) thinking, ensuring our actions reflect their ‘true cost/ benefit’. Analyse the gains of the Landless Workers Movements around the world and ask why NGO’s subsidise landlords. Soon you will understand a system that addresses the myriad of issues we face.
Karl Fitzgerald
Earthsharing Australia

Standing up for Global Justice:
Protest the Global CEO Conference, Sydney Sep 2005
The Forbes annual Global CEO Conference is being held in Sydney from 30 August to 1 September, 2005. More than 300 of the world's top chief executive officers and business leaders will be present at the invitation only event to discuss the globalisation of business, finance and culture. This workshop will provide information on the Forbes conference, some background on past protests and counter-mobilisations such as "S11", and begin a discussion on how movements can come together to protest for global justice during the time of the conference.
Damien Lawson, Office of Greens Senator Kerry Nettle
Vince Caughley, Sydney Social Forum Organising Group

Towards participatory and deliberative democracy
The fundamental political issue is not what the law/policy is, or should be, on any particular issue, but how that law/policy is made and changed; unless that question is adequately addressed, discussion of specific issues is at risk of being merely a futile distraction. This workshop progresses towards discussion of a participatory and deliberative democracy model (as a political system, amongst other contexts), by discussing: individuals and groups; individual motivation; the origins of ideas; "capitalism", consumption, and the high price of materialism; (professional) politicians v (amateur) citizens; a new legislature/executive relationship; principles of participatory and deliberative democracy; transitional models; and associated policies (hours of work, and employment selection (and termination) processes.
Jon Shapiro
Sydney-based industrial lawyer (trade union industrial officer),
long-time union activist, and ALP member for 20 years.

The Life and Legacy of Che Guevara
Today, the image of Ernesto "Che" Guevara is as visible and
pervasive as many corporate logos such as Nike's swish or McDonalds arches, and is used as such to sell everything from t-shirts to ice cream. Unfortunately, many of those walking around with his image emblazoned on their chests would know little about his history as a revolutionary anti-imperialist who participated in the Cuban revolution, and helped battle US-backed right wing forces in the Congo and South America. With US imperialism on a new global offensive, and new revolutionary upsurges appearing throughout Latin America, the legacy of Che Guevara is more relevant than ever.
Duroyan Fertl, Resistance socialist youth