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THE ALTERNET NEWS - ISSUE # 107<br>
<br>
This issue:<br>
<br>
HOT SITES/<br>
COFFEE TRADE/<br>
TRIBAL KILLINGS/<br>
IP RIGHTS/<br>
WOODLAND PROTECTION/<br>
INTERNET CENSORSHIP/<br>
ETHICAL CONSUMERISM/<br>
GM LIABILITY RULES/<br>
CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY/<br>
WORLD BANK & CSO's/<br>
CREDIT & CORRUPTION/<br>
NOBEL PRIZES/<br>
JOBS/<br>
QUOTE/UNQUOTE/<br>
DIARY/<br>
<br>
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<a href="http://www.gn.apc.org/news/alternet/index.html" eudora="autourl">www.gn.apc.org/news/alternet/index.html</a><br>
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<br>
HOT SITES<br>
<br>
A new web-based Strategic Environmental Assessment Information Service
has been launched, supported by TRL's Centre for Sustainability (C4S):
<br>
<br>
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<a href="http://www.sea-info.net/" eudora="autourl">www.sea-info.net</a><br>
<br>
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:<br>
<br>
-->
<a href="http://elonmerkki.net/forestforum" eudora="autourl">http://elonmerkki.net/forestforum</a><br>
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<br>
COFFEE TRADE<br>
<br>
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) have produced a
report looking at systems of production in the coffee and cocoa
industry.<br>
<br>
The paper shows that:<br>
'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.'<br>
<br>
The paper further outlines how environmental and social sustainability
can be enhanced.<br>
<br>
Access the paper online at:<br>
-->
<a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/Sweet%20Like%20Chocolate%205%20dec_tcm5-48253.pdf" eudora="autourl">www.rspb.org.uk/Images/Sweet%20Like%20Chocolate%205%20dec_tcm5-48253.pdf</a><br>
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<br>
TRIBAL KILLINGS<br>
<br>
Survival International report on the latest killings of tribal people in
the Chittagong Hills of Bangladesh: <br>
<br>
'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.' <br>
<br>
More about the Jumma tribal people here:<br>
<br>
-->
<a href="http://www.survival-international.org/jumma.htm" eudora="autourl">www.survival-international.org/jumma.htm</a><br>
<br>
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<br>
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS <br>
<br>
An Electronic Frontier Foundation Action Alert: <br>
<br>
'Tell MEPs to Reserve Tough New IP Enforcement Tools for Real
Criminals.<br>
<br>
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. <br>
<br>
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.'<br>
<br>
Visit their Action centre for details:<br>
-->
<a href="http://action.eff.org/action/index.asp?step=2&item=2873" eudora="autourl">http://action.eff.org/action/index.asp?step=2&item=2873</a><br>
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WOODLAND PROTECTION<br>
<br>
Appeal to stop the destruction of Ancient Woodland, South Wales,
UK:<br>
<br>
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. <br>
<br>
People are needed for day actions, or to stay longer if possible. One
volunteer's appeal:<br>
<br>
'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!!!'<br>
<br>
Help is needed not only on site, but to spread the word as far as
possible. <br>
<br>
Full details, maps, photos of this protest are on Indymedia UK<br>
-->
<a href="http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2004/02/285008.html" eudora="autourl">www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2004/02/285008.html</a><br>
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INTERNET CENSORSHIP<br>
<br>
Reporters Without Borders report on Internet Censorship in Iran:<br>
<br>
'Iranian authorities have followed official harassment of pro-reformist
newspapers with an attack against online news publications, which
protested at the latest development. <br>
<br>
Judge Said Mortazavi announced on 23 February that he would shortly shut
down the pro-reformist web site: <br>
--> <a href="http://www.emrooz.ws/" eudora="autourl">www.emrooz.ws</a>
<br>
<br>
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. <br>
<br>
Other (independent) sites have been blacklisted and personal (web)blogs
are also subjected to censorship.'<br>
<br>
Read more here:<br>
-->
<a href="http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=9373" eudora="autourl">www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=9373</a><br>
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ETHICAL CONSUMERISM <br>
<br>
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...<br>
<br>
Yet it seems, ethical consumerism is generally on the up - report
findings include:<br>
<br>
* the total value of ethical consumption in the UK<br>
was £19.9 billion in 2002<br>
* as part of this total, the Ethical Purchasing Index (EPI)<br>
recorded sales at £6.9 billion, representing a 13% increase on
2001<br>
* there are some ethical products that are now the product of consumer
choice <br>
<br>
Interesting counter statistics:<br>
* the total market share for ethical goods and services is less than 2
per cent<br>
* for mass market adoption, supply side influences or government
intervention may be required <br>
<br>
(adapted from the report)<br>
<br>
Available online at:<br>
-->
<a href="http://www.neweconomics.org/gen/uploads/tkuggjui2ngnmpvjyyi5hqrw08012004145902.pdf" eudora="autourl">www.neweconomics.org/gen/uploads/tkuggjui2ngnmpvjyyi5hqrw08012004145902.pdf</a><br>
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<br>
GM LIABILITY RULES <x-tab> </x-tab><br>
<br>
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:<br>
<br>
'According to the report, ten years after the first GM<br>
crop appeared on market shelves, biotech corporations are still failing
to<br>
deliver their on their promises of GM crops with clear benefits for<br>
consumers or farmers.<br>
<br>
The 51-page report "Genetically Modified crops: a decade of<br>
failure [1994-2004]" shows that GM crops are causing problems<br>
especially to farmers and to the environment'<br>
<br>
Download the report here:<br>
-->
<a href="http://www.foei.org/media/gmdecade" eudora="autourl">www.foei.org/media/gmdecade</a><br>
<br>
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.'<br>
<br>
Friends of the Earth Scotland Chief Executive Duncan McLaren said:<br>
<br>
'Scotland and the UK - deserves a genuinely precautionary approach to
this<br>
risky and unproven technology. If the Executive is determined to
override<br>
public opinion, then it must at least wait until legal protections are
in<br>
place to ensure liability for damage to health and the
environment.'<br>
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<br>
CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY<br>
<br>
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:<br>
<br>
'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. <br>
<br>
To help with this please do the one or all of the following actions:
<br>
<br>
- Write to your MP and ask them to support EDM 576 <br>
- 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. <br>
- 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. <br>
- Get your friends and family to sign up as supporters of our campaign,
by emailing: <br>
--> triciap@foe.co.uk <br>
<br>
All on their website, including background information, at:<br>
-->
<a href="http://www.corporate-responsibility.org/" eudora="autourl">www.corporate-responsibility.org</a><br>
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WORLD BANK & CSO's<br>
<br>
The Bretton Woods Project has produced a report entitled:<br>
Inside the institutions: The World Bank and civil society<br>
<br>
The report looks at the 'chequered history' of the relationship:<br>
<br>
'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.'<br>
<br>
...and why the Bank engages with CSOs:<br>
'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.' <br>
<br>
Read the full report online at:<br>
-->
<a href="http://www.brettonwoodsproject.org/article.shtml?cmd%5b126%5d=x-126-27513" eudora="autourl">www.brettonwoodsproject.org/article.shtml?cmd%5b126%5d=x-126-27513</a><br>
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CREDIT & CORRUPTION<br>
<br>
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. <br>
<br>
'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.'<br>
<br>
Read the full briefing:<br>
-->
<a href="http://www.thecornerhouse.org.uk/briefing/30ecabribe.html" eudora="autourl">www.thecornerhouse.org.uk/briefing/30ecabribe.html</a>
<br>
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<br>
NOBEL PRIZES<br>
<br>
International search for 1000 women for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005<br>
Be part of the process!<br>
<br>
Women Living Under Muslim Laws has joined an exciting international initiative to nominate 1000 women for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005:<br>
<br>
'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.'<br>
<br>
For further information, please see the initiatives (multilingual) website: <br>
--> <a href="http://www.1000peacewomen.org/" eudora="autourl">www.1000Peacewomen.org</a><br>
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JOBS<br>
<br>
Last week to apply for the position of Finance Officer at GreenNet.<br>
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.<br>
<br>
Application by CV and covering letter, via email to coord@gn.apc.org<br>
<br>
Full details online at:<br>
--> <a href="http://www.gn.apc.org/jobs.shtml" eudora="autourl">www.gn.apc.org/jobs.shtml</a><br>
<br>
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<br>
QUOTE/UNQUOTE<br>
<br>
'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.'<br>
<br>
- Unesco, Seville statement on violence, 1989<br>
<br>
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<br>
DIARY DATES<br>
<br>
MARCH<br>
<br>
Monday, 1st & Tuesday, 2nd: Committee on Radioactive Waste Management Open Meeting (CoRWM)-<br>
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.<br>
<br>
Manchester Town Hall, Albert Square, Manchester M60 2LA <br>
Monday 1st March from 11:00am or, Tuesday 2nd of March. from 9:00am. <br>
Members of the public are welcome to attend.<br>
To reserve a place at this meeting or to find out more about this or future meetings of CoRWM, email: contact@corwm.org.uk<br>
or visit their website:<br>
--> <a href="http://www.corwm.org.uk/" eudora="autourl">www.corwm.org.uk</a><br>
<br>
Tuesday, 2nd<br>
Mayor of London's People's Question Time' at the Mermaid Theatre, Puddle Dock, Blackfriars, EC4V 3DB at 7pm.<br>
<br>
Saturday, 6th<br>
Human Rights at a Time of Conflict - Ninth Annual Birkbeck Human Rights Study Day.<br>
Further details, contact: <font color="#0000FF"><u>j.king@fce.bbk.ac.uk</u></font> <br>
<br>
Thursday, 11th<br>
Taking the RACE and DIVERSITY Agenda Forward<br>
Hammersmith Town Hall <br>
Community groups and statutory bodies interested in setting up stalls at conference to profile their work and services should contact us. <br>
For full details of our Conference programme at: <br>
--> <a href="http://www.taha.org.uk/conferenceleaflet.pdf" eudora="autourl">www.taha.org.uk/conferenceleaflet.pdf</a><br>
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 <br>
<br>
Wednesday 17th - Thursday 25th <br>
Human Rights Watch International Film Festival<br>
View the entire film festival programme and information on all of the films:<br>
--> <a href="http://hrw.org/iff/2004/london/schedule.html" eudora="autourl">http://hrw.org/iff/2004/london/schedule.html</a><br>
<br>
Friday, 26th<br>
Women and Manual Trades - Tradeswomen's Fair<br>
Full details at their website:<br>
--> <a href="http://www.wamt.org/" eudora="autourl"><font color="#0000FF"><u>www.wamt.</a><a href="http://www.wamt.org/" eudora="autourl">org<br>
<br>
</a></u></font>APRIL<br>
<br>
Saturday, 3rd <br>
Peace Builder or Warmonger? Britain's role in the 21st century<br>
<br>
Ministry For Peace (mfp) is holding its most ambitious event so far - an<br>
all-day conference at Friends House in Euston, London <br>
The tickets will be £10 (£15 on the door) and £5 concessions. <br>
<br>
More details at their website:<br>
--> <a href="http://www.ministryforpeace.org.uk/" eudora="autourl">www.ministryforpeace.org.uk/</a><br>
<br>
More Diary Dates on GreenNet:<br>
--> <a href="http://www.gn.apc.org/calendar/calindex.shtml" eudora="autourl">www.gn.apc.org/calendar/calindex.shtml</a><br>
<br>
Please add your events to the calendar here:<br>
--> <a href="http://www.gn.apc.org/calendar/add.shtml" eudora="autourl">www.gn.apc.org/calendar/add.shtml</a><br>
<br>
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<br>
The AlterNet News is edited by Joanne Doyle for GreenNet:<br>
---> <a href="http://www.gn.apc.org/" eudora="autourl">www.gn.apc.org</a><br>
<br>
Please note that opinions expressed in AlterNet are those of the<br>
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