GPJA #517: What’s On in Aotearoa-NZ

WHAT’S ON IN AOTEAROA

Tuesday, September 23, 12.30pm, Peace Chapel, St Matthew-in-the-City, Cnr Hobson and Wellesley Sts, Auckland

Lunchtime vigil to call for the Freedom of two French journalists and indigenous leader Areki Wanimbo. Journalists Thomas Dandois, 40, and Valentine Bourrat, 29, employed by the Franco-German TV channel Arte have been detained in West Papua since August 5 charged with visa irregularities as well as treason-related activity. The pair, who were collecting material for a documentary about the human rights situation in the region, could face lengthy jail terms. Indonesian authorities are also investigating West Papuans who met with the journalists and have detained and charged indigenous leader Areki Wanimbo(with treason related offences).
Access to West Papua for international journalists is severely restricted. In the past journalists found travelling in the region ‘under the radar’ have been deported, but have not faced such a punitive response until now. Incoming President Joko Widodo promised an opening up of West Papua to foreign journalists during his campaign, so this is an unexpected and disturbing development. Please join us for a time of reflection and a time to plan action. We will launch an Open Letter to the incoming Minister of Foreign Affairs calling on our Government to advocate for the release all three detainees. For further information: MaireLeadbeater maire

The link for the facebook event is https://www.facebook.com/events/1378809245742835/

Saturday, September 27, 2pm, Titirangi Memorial Hall (South Titirangi Rd.)

UN International Day for Elimination of Nuclear Weapons is an Auckland Peace City event honouring Nuclear Free New Zealand. Sponsored by Waitakere Ranges and Whau Local Boards in partnership with The Peace Foundation. This free family friendly event will feature cultural items by local schools and ‘Open the Door’ by singer songwriter Sarah Macombee. A Peace Poppy Parade plus children colouring peace dove flaglets, drums and marimbas will raise the spirits along with the superb SGINZ exhibition: Everything you Treasure – For a World Free From Nuclear Weapons (http://www.peoplesdecade.org/decade/exhibition/eyt/eyt.html)

Saturday, 27 September, 2014, 10.30am – 12.15pm and/or 1pm –2.30pm, Pompallier Centre, 30 New St, Ponsonby (Please enter by far door to left of the Centre)

YOU ARE WARMLY INVITED TO Come and engage with Margaret Mayce OP, the Dominican NGO Representative to the United Nations, New York. 10.30 am. Margaret will begin by describing the goals of the U.N., the role of NGOs at the U.N., the progress of the Millennium Development goals and the Post 2015 Development Agenda with its focus on sustainability. 1pm. A pertinent local issue, namely housing and associated poverty will be explored with reference to how local issues connect with the larger global picture. We hope you can come to one or both sessions. Please bring lunch. Tea and coffee will be provided. We are grateful for the chance to have Margaret with us and believe that we will have a stimulating time together. If you are planning to come, it would be appreciated if you would e-mail Helen at h.bergin or Teresa at Teresa.McNamara by Thursday 25 September.

Tuesday, September 30, 12 noon, Britomart, Auckland

The Waiho Papa Moana Hikoi to Stop Deep Sea Oil is coming all the way down from the Far North to tell the national petroleum industry conference in Auckland that they oppose deep sea oil drilling off the coast of Northland and Aotearoa. More info on the hikoi here: https://www.facebook.com/events/589243067864324/
Join us to boost the numbers and support them with the final leg of their hikoi up Queen Street to the Summit at Skycity. Meet opposite Britomart at midday on Tuesday 30 Sept. The Norwegian oil giant Statoil, the same company who is threatening to drill for deep sea oil off the coast of Northland (and the Arctic) are partly funding this conference. Together we will tell Statoil and the oil industry that we want clean energy not dirty deep sea oil. The Waiho Papa Moana hikoi is made up of Northlanders who are standing up to protect the ocean and coast for current and future generations. They are joined by people from the East Cape (Te Whanau-a-Apanui) and Kaikoura (Ngati Kuri ki Kaikoura) who are also under threat from deep sea oil drilling. Let’s make sure they know that Aucklanders support their kaupapa.

Saturday, October 11, 9am to 4pm, First Union office, 120 Church St, Onehunga, Auckland

Saturday, October 18, 1-5pm, Te Aka Matua o Te Pou Hawaiki, in Epsom

Effective education for social justice for the 21st century (with panellists Tanya Newman, Paula Bold-Wilson, Alex Barnes & Gayathiri Ganeshan). The constant and changing aspects of AWEA’s 100 year history of education for social justice will provide a basis from which speakers and symposium participants will consider what aspects might be central to effective education for social justice for the next 100 years.
A party! Saturday 18 October 7.30-9.30pm. Hear some of the great stories from our past, connect with people associated AWEA, enjoy retro food and music, and eat cake!

Sunday, October 19, 1-5.30pm, Te Aka Matua o Te Pou Hawaiki, in Epsom

Treaty education – reflections and future directions with guest speakers Mānuka Hēnare and Mitzi Nairn). This symposium provides an opportunity to reflect on the last 30 years of tauiwi Treaty education, and consider future directions that might be taken to support Treaty relationships.

The full programme see: www.awea.org.nz/centenary

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/1511046532460182/

Wednesday, October 22, 5.30 pm, Where: WG126, Sir Paul Reeves Building, AUT University City Campus, Mayoral Drive

Public lecture: Abrupt climate change – evidence and options for the future by Professor Emeritus Guy McPherson. Abrupt climate change is under way. Earth has warmed only 0.85 C since the Industrial Revolution began, but considerable evidence points toward increasingly rapid warming in the near future. For example, industrial civilisation has produced about twice as much atmospheric carbon dioxide since 1970 as before that time. There is about a 40-year lag between carbon dioxide emissions and warming, suggesting abundant warming is already locked into the planetary system. In addition, atmospheric methane has joined carbon dioxide as a major contributor to planetary warming. It appears the much-dreaded “clathrate gun” has been fired in the Arctic Ocean. This presentation presents evidence regarding abrupt climate change and poses a few questions for consideration: Shall we respond to anthropogenic climate change? If so, how? What tools can be employed by society and the media to positively alter the future? What role do individuals play? How shall we live in light of this information? Organised by the School of Public Policy and Pacific Media Centre at AUT University, Auckland, Aotearoa/New Zealand.

23/24 October, Rydges Latimer, Christchurch

Social justice in communities – What is it? How can we build it? How can we sustain it? A conference jointly hosted by Community Networks Aotearoa (formerly NZCOSS) and the NZ Council of Christian Social Services. Social justice is vitally important in Christchurch as it is rebuilding and redeveloping; it is equally important in all of our communities. It does not happen by accident but is the result of deliberate and inclusive decision-making. Inspirational speakers from Christchurch, elsewhere in New Zealand and Australia will share their experiences in working within communities to bring about self-determination, inclusion and empowerment for community members. This conference will strengthen participants’ commitment to social justice, it will inform them of how socially just communities have been developed and will inspire them to work towards this ideal in their work and communities. Registrations are open – register now!

November 8

HEADS UP – NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION SATURDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2014. Why? The TPPA leaders are expected to meet during the next week. Obama said he wanted an outcome to present to the world. Kiwis need to say ‘NO TO TPPA!!!’ in even bigger numbers and more places than the massive mobilisation in March. More details in the next few bulletins. If you want to be involved organising in your centre, contact Edward Miller.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

JOIN THIS YEAR’S AUSTRALIAN SOLIDARITY DELEGATION TO VENEZUELA DECEMBER 2 – 13, 2014

Australia-Venezuela Solidarity Network. Registrations are now open for the Australia-Venezuela Solidarity Network’s 2014 solidarity tour to revolutionary Venezuela.
http://links.org.au/node/3700