From joanne at gn.apc.org  Mon Feb  9 16:38:01 2004
From: joanne at gn.apc.org (Joanne Doyle)
Date: Wed Feb  1 23:43:30 2006
Subject: [alternet-l] THE ALTERNET NEWS - ISSUE # 106
Message-ID: <5.0.2.1.0.20040209163139.009fb740@pop.gn.apc.org>

THE ALTERNET NEWS - ISSUE # 106

This issue:

HOT SITES/
NUCLEAR HYPOCRISY/
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION/
CONSCIENCE TAX/
HAITI WORKERS' RIGHTS/
BOTSWANA 'BUSHMEN'/
IRAQI WOMEN'S RIGHTS/
ONLINE RISK DEBATE/
SPRING CLEAN/
CARTOON COMPETITION/
QUOTE/UNQUOTE/
JOBS/
BOOKS/
DIARY/

***************************************************************
Please don't send news to the AlterNet address.

Back issues are on-line at:
--> www.gn.apc.org/news/alternet/index.html

***************************************************************

HOT SITES

CEPES, one of APC's newest members, has trained participants in a 
rural-urban information service to set up a portal and exchange 
agricultural information from six telecentres in a remote area of the 
northern Peruvian sierras.

More about the site here:
--> www.apc.org/english/news/index.shtml?x=17062

Visit the site (in Spanish):
--> www.cepes.org.pe/

***************************************************************

NUCLEAR HYPOCRISY

CND comment on Jack Straws statement about the nuclear threat Pakistan poses:

'Jack Straw?s statement in Delhi that Pakistan?s nuclear threat is 
different to that of Iraq?s shows yet again the government?s selective 
approach to non-proliferation. CND condemns all nuclear proliferation, and 
finds it absolutely unacceptable that the government can pick and choose 
who may or may not be allowed to proliferate. Iraq was attacked on the 
basis of mere suspicion of possession of weapons of mass destruction ? a 
baseless accusation as it has turned out ? whereas other countries may 
possess nuclear weapons and pass on nuclear information with impunity. One 
is forced to conclude that governments sympathetic to the US are treated 
more leniently than those who are perceived to be hostile. This is 
demonstrated not only by the recent events in Pakistan but also by the 
failure to condemn Israel for its non-compliance with UN resolution 687 
calling for a nuclear weapons free Middle East.

CND Chair Kate Hudson said:

?It is the height of hypocrisy for the government to ignore the 
proliferation in Pakistan, having only recently launched an illegal and 
immoral war against Iraq over similar issues. Have the US and the UK 
suddenly become the nuclear police force able to decide amongst themselves 
who can and who can?t possess these destructive weapons??'

Read the full press release here:
--> www.cnduk.org/pages/press/60204.htm

***************************************************************

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

UNESCO has published a study of freedom of information laws that examines 
best practices in 10 countries. Written by ARTICLE 19 Law Programme 
Director Toby Mendel, "Freedom on Information: A Comparative Legal Survey" 
analyses laws in Bulgaria, India, Japan, Mexico, Pakistan, South Africa, 
Sweden, Thailand, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The study examines international standards and trends, and outlines nine 
principles governing effective freedom-of-information laws. The survey also 
looks at the public disclosure policies of two international institutions - 
the United Nations Development Programme and the World Bank.

The study is available at:
--> www.article19.org/docimages/1707.pdf

More information here:
-> 
www.article19.org/ViewArticle.asp?AreaID=37&SubAreaID=75&PageID=45&ElementID=85&ArticleID=1617&Comment=

***************************************************************

CONSCIENCE TAX

GreenNet User, Dr Colin Tingle, calls for joint conscientious objection to 
taxes being used for military purposes:

'Whatever our views, we were all part of the war.  We may not have pushed 
the buttons or triggers, but we paid for the hardware and for the personnel 
who dropped the bombs and shot people. The possibility of redirecting the 
portion of individual taxes used for the military into funding conflict 
prevention or peacebuilding, could give action to the voices of those in 
the UK who protested so loudly against "the war"? It could give the 
possibility to take responsibility and reduce our part in what we feel was 
wrong, whilst simultaneously sending a strong political message.'

Conscience (the organisation campaigning for the legal right for those who 
have a conscientious objection to war to have the portion of their taxes 
going to the military to be spent on peacebuilding initiatives) has 
produced a mock Peace Tax Return. This has 2 sections: part one allowing 
you to lobby for the right to divert taxes to non-military security 
programmes; the other giving a declaration of withholding or diverting 10% 
of income tax against an assurance that it will not be used for military 
purposes.

You can take action by:
i) downloading the Peace Tax Return form:
--> www.conscienceonline.org.uk/Peace%20Tax%20Form%2002.PDF
ii) completing either part A or Part B and sending it in with their Tax 
return OR direct to the Inland Revenue or the Paymaster General
iii) sending a letter to their MP explaining what they've done and why

***************************************************************

STOP CHILD EXECUTIONS

Amnesty call to end the death penalty for child offenders:

The use of the death penalty against child offenders ? people under 18 at 
the time of the crime ? is clearly prohibited under international law, yet 
a handful of countries persist with child executions.

Since January 1990 Amnesty International has documented 35 executions of 
child offenders in eight countries? the Democratic Republic of Congo, Iran, 
Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the USA, China and Yemen. The USA carried 
out 19 executions ? more than all other countries combined.

Take action:

Stop child executions in Pakistan
Please write to President Musharraf of Pakistan urging him to commute the 
death sentences of all child offenders in Pakistan, and to ensure that no 
further child offenders are sentenced to death, in accordance with 
Pakistan's obligations under international law:
--> http://web.amnesty.org/pages/pak-210104-action-eng

Philippines: Child offenders sentenced to death
At least seven child offenders are currently under sentence of death in the 
Philippines:
--> http://web.amnesty.org/pages/phl-201103-action-eng

Further information:
Child executions violate international law:
http://web.amnesty.org/pages/deathpenalty-children-background-eng

Read the full report: 'Stop Child Executions! Ending the death penalty for 
child offenders':
--> http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGACT500012004

***************************************************************

HAITI WORKERS' RIGHTS

Haiti Support Group campaign in favour of workers' right to unionise in new
free zone bears fruit at last:

'World Bank's IFC approves Grupo M loan, with union rights conditions. The 
International Finance Corporation (IFC) has finally approved a loan of 
US$20 million to the Dominican Republic free trade zone operator, Grupo M, 
with an explicit condition that the company recognise its employees' 
freedom of association and collective bargaining rights.

In August and September 2003, the ICFTU and the International Textile 
Garment and Leather Workers' Federation, released video evidence and 
documentation on anti-union actions by Grupo M, including threats, 
discrimination and violence against workers seeking to organise unions. At 
this stage, the Haiti Support Group, which had been in close contact with 
workers' organisations and progressive NGOs in Haiti, launched an 
international campaign backing the ICFTU calls for the IFC to require that 
Grupo M cease violating workers' rights and respect the core labour 
standards of the International Labour Organisation before awarding the loan.

Last week, after determining that many of the allegations about Grupo M's 
anti-union practices were substantiated, the IFC decided to include the 
obligation to respect freedom of association and the right to collective 
bargaining as a loan condition.'

For more details on this story and the Haiti Support Group campaign see:
http://www.haitisupport.gn.apc.org/zonefranche.htm

***************************************************************

BOTSWANA 'BUSHMEN'

Survival International reports on how Indigenous people condenm eviction of 
Botswana 'bushmen':

Two organisations representing some of South Africa's indigenous peoples 
have spoken out in support of the rights of the Gana and Gwi 'Bushmen' of 
Botswana to return to their land.

The Northern Cape Khoisan Council said today, 'We support the campaign 
against De Beers and the Botswana Government, to persuade the government to 
rescind their decision to evict the Gwi, Gana and Bakgalagadi from the 
Central Kalahari Game Reserve. You also have the support of about thirteen 
Khoisan organisations in the whole of South Africa to protest against this 
blatant human rights atrocity.'

The Northern Cape Khoisan Council is an alliance of first people 
organisations in the Northern Cape consisting of the San, Nama, Korana, 
Griqua and Cape Khoi groups.

Motivation Community Development, another indigenous organisation, added, 
'Like our peoples, KhoiSan, Tswana, Sotho and other African peoples of 
South Africa, we were dispossessed from our lands by colonial forces. This 
dispossession resulted in the conditions we live in today, so much poverty, 
depression, unemployment, addictions, crime and violence and being 
unproductive......  Removal of the Gana, Gwi and Bakgalagadi Peoples from 
their land will do the same to them as land dispossession did to us.... It 
makes no difference who does the dispossessing.'

For more information, contact Miriam Ross via email to:
--> mr@survival-international.org

***************************************************************

IRAQI WOMEN'S RIGHTS

WLUML appeal:

'WLUML strongly urges you to join Iraqi women's efforts and take action to 
oppose the Iraqi Governing Council's (IGC) ?Resolution 137? dated 29 
December 2003 that proposes the introduction of Sharia law in personal 
status matters and to cancel all laws which are incompatible with this 
decision.

The 1959 Iraqi Law of Personal Status, which is considered one of the most 
progressive family laws in the Middle East and which was achieved through 
the struggle of the Iraqi people for much of the past century, will be 
abolished if ?Resolution 137? is upheld.

It is important to act immediately: the ?Resolution? will come into effect 
if it is validated by Paul Bremer, the Chief US Administrator. WLUML 
regards ?Resolution 137? as a major retreat from previous rights that were 
guaranteed to women under Iraqi law. Apart from Iraqi women themselves and 
their feminist allies across the world, this development has been largely 
ignored by international media.

The process behind this ?Resolution? by the IGC has lacked transparency and 
was not part of any democratic or consultative process. It was taken 
without being publicly debated and subjected to the scrutiny of experts on 
social and legal issues. It was, furthermore, apparently a proposal by a 
minority of the IGC.'

To read the full appeal and find out what action you can take, visit the 
WLUML website:
--> 
http://wluml.org/english/actionsfulltxt.shtml?cmd[156]=i-156-17d7fd3feca1e187c784a75eccdcc723&cmd[169]=i-169-17d7fd3feca1e187c784a75eccdcc723

***************************************************************

ONLINE RISK DEBATE

Are we too risk averse, and what impact might this have upon biomedicine?

This is the question posed by the new spiked/Wellcome Trust online debate
'FEARING THE UNKNOWN', the first in a series of debates running over the
next two years.

Two papers have been published to initiate the debate:
  - HELENE GULDBERG, managing editor of spiked, argues that 'fear of the
unknown has become one of the major barriers to social, scientific and
technological advance'.
--> www.spiked-online.com/articles/0000000CA376.htm

  - ALAN IRWIN, professor of sociology at Brunel University, argues that
'rather than representing citizens as risk-averse, we should be engaging
more with what people want from technical change'.
--> www.spiked-online.com/articles/0000000CA375.htm

The debate, while moderated, is open to contributions from anybody, and
all contributions will be permanently archived. To submit a contribution,
simply click on on 'Join the debate' in the right-hand menu at:

--> www.spiked-online.com/riskaverse

***************************************************************

SPRING CLEAN

London Cares, the employee-volunteering programme of Business in the 
Community in London, are organising Spring Clean 2004, a massive Spring 
Clean Up, creating fresh and welcoming environments for local communities.

London Cares will encourage businesses to get involved and supply teams of 
10+ volunteers for a day, to undertake a Spring Clean project. You can be 
the recipient of these volunteers, by submitting a project to London Cares 
over the next few weeks (latest end of Jan, although the earlier the better).

London Cares will promote your project to businesses, and if a business 
wants to undertake your project, then they will nominate a Team Leader who 
we will train, to help you manage the project. Most businesses also have a 
small budget to cover the costs of materials and equipment.

Who can participate?
Community Centres, Youth Clubs, Day Centres, Schools, in fact any community 
or voluntary organisation which has an area which could do with sprucing up 
for the summer.

What type of projects are eligible?
Painting and decorating community rooms and buildings, Clearing away old 
rubbish to create usable community facilities, Tidying gardens from the 
winter season and planting for the new year.

Contact Joanna Daniels for further details and a registration form, on 0870 
600 2482 or via email to:
--> jo.daniels@bitc.org.uk or

***************************************************************

CARTOON COMPETITION

The National Press Club of Canada is now accepting submissions from 
professional and freelance editorial cartoonists for the 4th Annual 
International Editorial Cartoon Competition.

The subject of the competition is
?The Internet: Freedom of Expression and Access Issues.?

Submissions are accepted with captions in any language, but translations 
into English, French or Spanish must be provided. The deadline for 
submissions is April 2 at 5 p.m. EST.

Winners will be announced at the World Press Freedom Day luncheon in Ottawa 
on May 3. Winners will receive cash prizes ranging from CAD $1,500 (about 
US $1,160) for first place to CAD $500 (US $387) for third place. First 
place winners will also receive a certificate of merit from the Canadian 
Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural 
Organization (UNESCO), as well as a crystal trophy.

Read the article at:
--> www.ijnet.org/FE_Article/newsarticle.asp?UILang=1&CId=188204

For more information, visit the website:
--> www.pressclub.on.ca/

***************************************************************

QUOTE/UNQUOTE

'Years ago I recognised my kinship with living things, and I made up my 
mind that I was not one bit better than the meanest on the earth. I said 
then, and I say now, that while there is a lower class, I am in it; while 
there is a criminal element, I am of it; while there is a soul in prison, I 
am not free.'

- Eugene Debs (1855-1926)

***************************************************************

JOBS

GreenNet, a not-for-profit collective Internet Service Provider, is looking 
for a Finance Officer to be responsible for its overall financial 
management and reporting. The Finance Officer will have a supervisary and 
financial planning function, alongside day to day finance duties, including 
monthly billing of customers.

Application by CV and covering letter, via email to coord@gn.apc.org

In your covering letter, please describe in brief:
a) why you are interested in this position, and
b) what skills, knowledge and experience you have which are relevant to the 
post
(continue on not more than one additional sheet if necessary)

Please provide names and addresses of two referees, one of whom should be a 
past employer.
Please let us know if we can contact your referees before an interview.
Interviews 1st week of March. Start date: 19th of April.

For more information, both on this position and for other opportunities, 
please look at the GreenNet website:
--> www.gn.apc.org/jobs.shtml

***************************************************************

BOOKS

*Modernising education for sustainability and animal welfare*

A revised and expanded edition of the book 'from Guinea Pig to Computer 
Mouse' has been published by the International Network for Humane Education 
(InterNICHE). The book details the multiple positive impact of progressive, 
humane alternatives to harmful animal use, and provides case studies of 
where the vision of humane education has already been realised. Over 500 
alternatives including multimedia computer simulation, training mannekins 
and web-based learning tools are detailed. Translations of the book into 10 
other languages are also being prepared.

Find out more at their website:
--> www.interniche.org

*Global Express, the rapid response information series for schools at Key 
Stages 2 and 3 on world events in the news, has published a special 16-page 
edition on Fair Trade.*

The issue covers the history of trade, the WTO, the G20, Cancun, Fair Trade 
and ?Becoming a Fair Trade school?, as well as the usual features including 
teaching activities and recommended resources.

The issue is a useful resource for activities and events leading up to Fair 
Trade Fortnight and World Fair Trade Day.

?5.00 per copy.  Discounts for DECs or bulk orders by negotiation.

For more information contact Jane Angel via email to depman@gn.apc.org
or visit their website:
--> http://www.dep.org.uk

***************************************************************

DIARY DATES

FEBRUARY

Thursday 12th - Sunday, 15th
Peace Not War Music Festival
More information on events and prices here:
--> www.peace-not-war.org/Festival/index.html

London Sustainability Weeks 2004 (LSW2004) are taking place between 5 and 
19 June 2003. LSW2004 will provide an opportunity for the media and the 
public to get to know the diversity and creativity of local action and 
community projects working to make London?s communities greener, healthier 
and more sustainable places to live.

To help you promote your work and take part in the Weeks, the LSW2004 
Partnership is offering free training sessions on working with the press 
and communicating your project effectively.

Thursday, 12th
10.30 am till 1pm
At the Islington Ecology Centre, 191 Drayton Park, N5 1PH.

Thursday, 26th
10.30 am till 1 pm
At Vauxhall City Farm, 24 St Oswald?s place, Lambeth, SE11 5JE.

Booking is essential - contact Tim Webb; Tel: 020 7 359 9452; E-mail: 
info@lsw2004.org.

Tuesday 3rd - Friday 27th
A moving and inspirational exhibition from Japan will be shown in the 
Sculpture Hall, Manchester Town Hall and the Central Library
"Visitors to the exhibition will see the devastation caused by the nuclear 
bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and maybe understand why so many people 
in the world are dedicated to the eradication of these weapons."

Media Contact: Margaret Blackburn, Manchester City Council, Press Office, 
0161 234 4014

Saturday, 28th
War on Want Annual Conference
Privatisation, Power and Poverty
LSE, Houghton St., London, WC2A 2AE
Full details and to book a place call:
Corin Pearce on 020 76201111
or visit their website at:
--> www.waronwant.org/agm

MARCH

Tuesday, 2nd
Mayor of London's People's Question Time'
at the Mermaid Theatre, Puddle Dock, Blackfriars, EC4V 3DB at 7pm


More Diary Dates on GreenNet:
--> www.gn.apc.org/calendar/calindex.shtml

Please add your events to the calendar here:
--> www.gn.apc.org/calendar/add.shtml

***************************************************************

The AlterNet News is edited by Joanne Doyle for GreenNet:
---> www.gn.apc.org

Please note that opinions expressed in AlterNet are those of the
contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the GreenNet 
Collective.
To subscribe or unsubscribe see:

http://mailman.greennet.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/alternet-l
For more information on this service and how to use it, contact
joanne@gn.apc.org

****************************************************




From joanne at gn.apc.org  Fri Feb 27 13:30:25 2004
From: joanne at gn.apc.org (Joanne Doyle)
Date: Wed Feb  1 23:43:30 2006
Subject: [alternet-l] THE ALTERNET NEWS - ISSUE # 107
Message-ID: <5.0.2.1.0.20040227131524.009fe020@pop.gn.apc.org>

THE ALTERNET NEWS - ISSUE # 107

This issue:

HOT SITES/
COFFEE TRADE/
TRIBAL KILLINGS/
IP RIGHTS/
WOODLAND PROTECTION/
INTERNET CENSORSHIP/
ETHICAL CONSUMERISM/
GM LIABILITY RULES/
CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY/
WORLD BANK & CSO's/
CREDIT & CORRUPTION/
NOBEL PRIZES/
JOBS/
QUOTE/UNQUOTE/
DIARY/

***************************************************************
Please don't send news to the AlterNet address.

Back issues are on-line at:
--> www.gn.apc.org/news/alternet/index.html

***************************************************************

HOT SITES

A new web-based Strategic Environmental Assessment Information Service has 
been launched, supported by TRL's Centre for Sustainability (C4S):

--> www.sea-info.net

The Union of Ecoforestry in Finland Global Ban on GM-trees campaign site. 
The idea is to get people to sign a petition to present at the UN forum on 
forests:

--> http://elonmerkki.net/forestforum

***************************************************************

COFFEE TRADE

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) have produced a report 
looking at systems of production in the coffee and cocoa industry.

The paper shows that:
'the biodiversity effects of changing prices are highly site-specific, but 
it is clear that the market is not delivering environmentally or socially 
sound outcomes.'

The paper further outlines how environmental and social sustainability can 
be enhanced.

Access the paper online at:
--> www.rspb.org.uk/Images/Sweet%20Like%20Chocolate%205%20dec_tcm5-48253.pdf

***************************************************************

TRIBAL KILLINGS

Survival International report on the latest killings of tribal people in 
the Chittagong Hills of Bangladesh:

'A tribal family from the Chittagong Hills of Bangladesh has been killed by 
armed settlers. Five months earlier another attack left two tribal people 
killed, nine women raped and 400 homes destroyed. The latest attack on 
Prasam Kumar Tripura, his wife and children (the youngest aged five) comes 
seven years after a peace agreement was supposed to end assaults by Bengali 
settlers on the tribal people who live in the Chittagong Hills.'

More about the Jumma tribal people here:

--> www.survival-international.org/jumma.htm

***************************************************************

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

An Electronic Frontier Foundation Action Alert:

'Tell MEPs to Reserve Tough New IP Enforcement Tools for Real Criminals.

The European Parliament is poised to adopt a controversial directive on 
Intellectual Property Rights Enforcement that would give rights-holders 
incredibly powerful tools in the fight against intellectual property 
infringers.  While this might sound like a good idea at first, a closer 
look reveals that the directive doesn't distinguish between unintentional, 
non-commercial infringers and for-profit, criminal counterfeiting 
organizations.  If this directive is adopted, a person who unwittingly 
infringes copyright - even if it has no effect on the market - could 
potentially have her assets seized, bank accounts frozen and home invaded.

Write to your member of the European Parliament (MEPs) to urge them to 
limit these harsh enforcement measures to cases in which infringement is 
undertaken intentionally and for commercial purposes.'

Visit their Action centre for details:
--> http://action.eff.org/action/index.asp?step=2&item=2873

***************************************************************

WOODLAND PROTECTION

Appeal to stop the destruction of Ancient Woodland, South Wales, UK:

Two activists stopped work on the first day and they have managed to stop 
work every day since with the help of a few more activists and local 
residents. However, they are still outnumbered by contractors and security 
staff.

People are needed for day actions, or to stay longer if possible. One 
volunteer's appeal:

'THIS SITE/ACTION IS INSPIRING AND DESERVES MORE SUPPORT FROM SORTED 
CAMPAIGNERS AND FIRST-TIMERS ALIKE. NOTHING LIKE STOPPING A CHAINSAW TO 
EMPOWER YOU. GET DOWN THERE AND THIS ROAD WILL BE SERIOUSLY BOGGED AND 
TREES SAVED. EVEN THOSE ON EVICTION ALERT SHOULD CONSIDER GETTING DOWN 
THERE. THIS MEANS YOU!!!'

Help is needed not only on site, but to spread the word as far as possible.

Full details, maps, photos of this protest are on Indymedia UK
--> www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2004/02/285008.html

***************************************************************

INTERNET CENSORSHIP

Reporters Without Borders report on Internet Censorship in Iran:

'Iranian authorities have followed official harassment of pro-reformist 
newspapers with an attack against online news publications, which protested 
at the latest development.

Judge Said Mortazavi announced on 23 February that he would shortly shut 
down the pro-reformist web site:
--> www.emrooz.ws

Calling for the site to be made available again in Iran, the international 
press freedom organisation said, "The Internet is now regularly used by 
Iranians to access independent news, despite controls put in place by the 
authorities.

Other (independent) sites have been blacklisted and personal (web)blogs are 
also subjected to censorship.'

Read more here:
--> www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=9373

***************************************************************

ETHICAL CONSUMERISM

What is ethical consumerism? The New Economics Foundation & The Cooperative 
Bank have just published the Ethical Consumerism report 2002. The report 
reviews ethical consumerism in the UK in 2003 and argues that ethics does 
come into play for the 'majority' when making their purchasing choices. 
Unfortunately, the report gives little insight into the fuller picture of 
an individuals spending pattern and we are left wondering what impact 
increases in so-called ethical shopping really make...

Yet it seems, ethical consumerism is generally on the up - report findings 
include:

* the total value of ethical consumption in the UK
   was ?19.9 billion in 2002
* as part of this total, the Ethical Purchasing Index (EPI)
   recorded sales at ?6.9 billion, representing a 13% increase on 2001
* there are some ethical products that are now the product of consumer choice

  Interesting  counter statistics:
* the total market share for ethical goods and services is less than 2 per cent
* for mass market adoption, supply side influences or government 
intervention may be required

(adapted from the report)

Available online at:
--> www.neweconomics.org/gen/uploads/tkuggjui2ngnmpvjyyi5hqrw08012004145902.pdf

***************************************************************

GM LIABILITY RULES

A new report on a decade of GM crop growing shows 'a decade of failure and 
urgent need for liability' say Friends of the Earth Scotland (FoE). They go 
on to say:

'According to the report, ten years after the first GM
crop appeared on market shelves, biotech corporations are still failing to
deliver their on their promises of GM crops with clear benefits for
consumers or farmers.

The 51-page report "Genetically Modified crops: a decade of
failure [1994-2004]" shows that GM crops are causing problems
especially to farmers and to the environment'

Download the report here:
--> www.foei.org/media/gmdecade

Meanwhile, in the UK, Friends of the Earth reveal that 'the Government is 
to push ahead with the introduction of genetically modified (GM) crops in 
Britain despite public opposition and scientific uncertainty.'

Friends of the Earth Scotland Chief Executive Duncan McLaren said:

'Scotland ? and the UK - deserves a genuinely precautionary approach to this
risky and unproven technology. If the Executive is determined to override
public opinion, then it must at least wait until legal protections are in
place to ensure liability for damage to health and the environment.'

***************************************************************

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

Despite support from over a hundred organisations and hundreds of 
individual supporters, the CORE Bill was 'talked out' by government. The 
debate however, will form the main focus of CORE's future campaigning - 
CORE report:

'It's important to remember that this campaign has been running for over 
two years and is going full steam ahead, despite the Government's decision 
to talk out the Bill.  Over the next few weeks CORE will be putting 
together a number of actions to maintain pressure on the Government.  It is 
crucial we maintain the amount of support we have both inside and outside 
Parliament.

To help with this please do the one or all of the following actions:

- Write to your MP and ask them to support EDM 576
- Ask your MP to write the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
Patricia Hewitt MP asking her when the Government intends to publish it's 
Operating and Financial Review proposals.
- Write to CORE telling us any examples of corporate irresponsibility in 
your area. This will help us to demonstrate to politicians why new, stonger 
laws are needed.
- Get your friends and family to sign up as supporters of our campaign, by 
emailing:
--> triciap@foe.co.uk

All on their website, including background information, at:
--> www.corporate-responsibility.org

***************************************************************

WORLD BANK & CSO's

The Bretton Woods Project has produced a report entitled:
Inside the institutions: The World Bank and civil society

The report looks at the 'chequered history' of the relationship:

'The Bank divides its history of civil society engagement into three 
phases. During the 1980s, it "opened its doors to CSOs", establishing the 
first operational directive on working with NGOs in 1981, and the Bank-NGO 
Committee in 1982.'

...and why the Bank engages with CSOs:
'Unofficially, the Bank has no choice but to seek endorsement from 
increasingly powerful civil society actors to boost the legitimacy of its 
lending activities. From within the Bank however, there continues to be 
resistance to cementing this tenuous relationship; some staff question both 
the legitimacy of CSOs and the costs of engagement. Such attitudes are 
reinforced by an optional policy framework with respect to CSO participation.'

Read the full report online at:
--> www.brettonwoodsproject.org/article.shtml?cmd%5b126%5d=x-126-27513

***************************************************************

CREDIT & CORRUPTION

The latest briefing from Corner House, 'Underwriting Bribery: Export Credit 
Agencies and Corruption' examines measures export credit agencies should be 
taking to tighten their anti-corruption procedures.

'The international community is adamant that corruption must be stopped. It 
is demanding that poorer countries eradicate corruption if they want to be 
considered eligible for Western aid. But there is a deep hypocrisy in the 
international community's approach, at the heart of which are the export 
credit agencies of industrialised countries. Export credit agencies use 
taxpayers' money to insure their domestic companies doing business abroad 
against risks such as the company not being paid. These agencies support 
many of the large, mainly Western, companies that continue to bribe their 
way into getting government contracts from poorer countries.'

Read the full briefing:
--> www.thecornerhouse.org.uk/briefing/30ecabribe.html

***************************************************************

NOBEL PRIZES

International search for 1000 women for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005
Be part of the process!

Women Living Under Muslim Laws has joined an exciting international 
initiative to nominate 1000 women for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005:

'The idea is to call the worlds attention to the vital but largely ignored 
role of women in peace making and peace building. In the 102 years of the 
Nobel Peace Prize, only 11 women have been acknowledged by the Nobel 
Committee for their peace work. Having a thousand women recognised at one 
time will more than even up this score.'

For further information, please see the initiatives (multilingual) website:
--> www.1000Peacewomen.org

***************************************************************

JOBS

Last week to apply for the position of Finance Officer at GreenNet.
The Finance Officer will be responsible for GreenNet's overall financial 
management and reporting. The Finance Officer will have a supervisary and 
financial planning function, alongside day to day finance duties, including 
monthly billing of customers.

Application by CV and covering letter, via email to coord@gn.apc.org

Full details online at:
--> www.gn.apc.org/jobs.shtml

***************************************************************

QUOTE/UNQUOTE

'We conclude that biology does not condemn humanity to war, and that 
humanity can be freed from the bondage of philosophical pessimism..Just as 
wars begin in the minds of men, peace also begins in our minds.  The same 
species who invented war, is capable of inventing peace. The responsibility 
lies with each one of us.'

- Unesco, Seville statement on violence, 1989

***************************************************************

DIARY DATES

MARCH

Monday, 1st & Tuesday, 2nd: Committee on Radioactive Waste Management Open 
Meeting (CoRWM)-
CoRWM was recently appointed by the Government to recommend how the UK's 
radioactive waste should be managed in the long term.  It is developing a 
public and stakeholder engagement programme that will give people a chance 
to play an active part in helping CoRWM to advise Government.

Manchester Town Hall, Albert Square, Manchester M60 2LA
Monday 1st March from 11:00am or, Tuesday 2nd of March. from 9:00am.
Members of the public are welcome to attend.
To reserve a place at this meeting or to find out more about this or future 
meetings of CoRWM, email: contact@corwm.org.uk
or visit their website:
--> www.corwm.org.uk

Tuesday, 2nd
Mayor of London's People's Question Time' at the Mermaid Theatre, Puddle 
Dock, Blackfriars, EC4V 3DB at 7pm.

Saturday, 6th
Human Rights at a Time of Conflict - Ninth Annual Birkbeck Human Rights 
Study Day.
Further details, contact: j.king@fce.bbk.ac.uk

Thursday, 11th
Taking the RACE and DIVERSITY Agenda Forward
Hammersmith Town Hall
Community groups and statutory bodies interested in setting up stalls at 
conference to profile their work and services should contact us.
For full details of our Conference programme at:
--> www.taha.org.uk/conferenceleaflet.pdf
For further information and to book a place please contact 020 8577 9747 or 
020 7737 3194, or email taha003@aol.com or taha002@aol.com

Wednesday 17th - Thursday 25th
Human Rights Watch International Film Festival
View the entire film festival programme and information on all of the films:
--> http://hrw.org/iff/2004/london/schedule.html

Friday, 26th
Women and Manual Trades - Tradeswomen's Fair
Full details at their website:
--> www.wamt.org

APRIL

Saturday, 3rd
Peace Builder or Warmonger? Britain's role in the 21st century

Ministry For Peace (mfp) is holding its most ambitious event so far - an
all-day conference at Friends House in Euston, London
The tickets will be ?10 (?15 on the door) and ?5 concessions.

More details at their website:
--> www.ministryforpeace.org.uk/

More Diary Dates on GreenNet:
--> www.gn.apc.org/calendar/calindex.shtml

Please add your events to the calendar here:
--> www.gn.apc.org/calendar/add.shtml

***************************************************************

The AlterNet News is edited by Joanne Doyle for GreenNet:
---> www.gn.apc.org

Please note that opinions expressed in AlterNet are those of the
contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the GreenNet 
Collective.
To subscribe or unsubscribe see:

http://mailman.greennet.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/alternet-l
For more information on this service and how to use it, contact
joanne@gn.apc.org

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