INDEPENDENT NEWS

PMA What's On

Published: Wed 21 Mar 2001 02:10 PM
UN: What's On, Tonight Onwards !
Kia ora, here is the programme for the PeacePacific and other NGO meetings and seminars which will be going on from tonight (in Auckland) through until 31 March. These are the alternative events around the UN Asia-Pacific Regional Disarmament Conference which will be held in Wellington next week.
The message below is in three parts: i) Overseas resource people and speakers; ii) PeacePacific: good things happening for people in their teens and twenties in four cities; iii) Other NGO events.
If you would prefer to read this in formatted text, the programme is on the PMA website and PeacePacific webpage, the urls are:
~ this programme is included in the latest PMA newsletter - http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/mar2001.htm - which also has updates on other current Pacific issues including: protest against French warships visit in Wellington, nuclear shipments through the Pacific, nuclear protest flotillas, the NZ Nuclear Free Zone Extension Bill, new safety fears about Moruroa atoll, Bougainville women call for justice and human rights, rape as a war crime and crime against humanity, the petition against email snooping and the soon to be announced Roger Award;
~ overseas resource people and speakers - http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/unconf.htm
~ PeacePacific - http://www.peace.org.nz/peace/
~ other NGO events - http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/unconf.htm _______________________________
i) Overseas resource people and speakers _______________________________
* Peace Movement Aotearoa, with the assistance of a generous travel fund from Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand, is bringing the following resource people here for the PeacePacific and other NGO events:
Stanley Simpson - Stanley is the Editor of Pacific News Bulletin, the monthly publication of the Nuclear Free and Independent Pacific movement, published by the Pacific Concerns Resource Centre (PCRC) office in Suva. Stanley is organising the NFIP Youth Conference which will take place in October 2001.
During 2000, Stanley represented the PCRC and was a speaker at the International Youth Parliament, Sydney, Australia; INSPIRE-multi media event for peace, Auckland, Aotearoa; and spoke about Peace, Advocacy and Justice at the Pacific Youth Convention, Tonga. He was also involved in the NFIP Forum on Peace and Human Security in the Pacific on Peace Boat among other things.
Losena Tubanavau-Salabula - has been an Assistant Director at the PCRC since 1994, working on demilitarisation. This position includes campaigning, lobbying and advocacy work.
Losena’s current work focus is based on the resolutions of the 8th NFIP Conference and include: the Kwajalein missile range and the US National Missile Defence System; the growing militarisation in the Pacific, in particular internal militarisation; media coverage of Pacific militarisation; the Johnston Atoll Chemical Weapons Disposal Facility; strengthening the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty; the aftermath of nuclear weapons testing and nuclear waste dumping; the plight of the Fiji nuclear test veterans; the impact of increasing Japanese militarism on the Pacific; and opposition to the deployment of the W-88 nuclear warhead in the Pacific.
* The NCCD, and a private donor, are bringing Associate Professor Michael Hamel Green of Victoria University, Melbourne, here for the NGO Seminar in Wellington on 29 March. Michael has specialised knowledge about the Rarotonga Treaty, nuclear weapons free zones, and is author of The South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone Treaty: a critical Assessment (Peace Research Centre, Australian National University, 1990).
* In addition, two Pacific participants in the UN Conference will speak at NGO events (depending on their flight times which the UN has not yet confirmed). They are: Hilda Lini, from Vanuatu, who is currently Director of the PCRC, who is a founding member of the NFIP movement, and was involved in the World Court Project through the World Health Assembly; and Moses Havini, International Representative of the Bougainville People’s Congress, also active in the NFIP movement.
* Judge Christopher Weeramantry, Sri Lanka, who gave the dissenting opinion following the International Court of Justice deliberations on the legality of nuclear weapons, and who argued for the supremacy of humanitarian law over any other considerations, will also be at the UN Conference and a speaker at NGO meetings. In his dissent, Weeramantry stated “A global regime which makes safety the result of terror and can speak of survival and annihilation as twin alternatives, makes peace and the human future dependent upon terror. This is not a basis for world order which this Court can endorse.”
* Senator Douglas Roche, former Canadian Ambassador for Disarmament and Chairman of the Middle Powers Initiative will also be speaking at NGO events.
_______________________________
ii) PeacePacific: putting the peace back in 'Pacific' * decolonisation * demilitarisation * disarmament _______________________________
PeacePacific: 10 to 30 March - good things happening for people in their teens and twenties in four cities. Entry to all PeacePacific events is free!
PeacePacific started in Wellington / Whanganui ä Tara on 10 March, for a report check out - http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/pphoto.htm
* Manukau: Thursday, 22 March
PeacePacific Lunchtime Forum - an opportunity to meet with Pacific peace people and discuss Pacific peace issues, 12 noon, Kete Wänanga Marae, North Campus, Manukau Institute of Technology.
* Auckland / Tamaki Makaurau: Thursday, 22 March
PeacePacific: Putting the Peace back in 'Pacific' - evening of inspiring speakers, performers and DJs, featuring Henzart and Paddy, 8pm til late, Khuja Lounge, 536 Queen St.
In the week before the UN Conference, listen out for interviews on bFM and Mai FM.
Regional PeacePacific contact for Manukau and Auckland / Tamaki Makaurau contact is Jen tel 021 110 0799 or
Join PeacePacific in creating and celebrating Pacific visions of peace!
* Wellington / Whanganui ä Tara: Saturday, 24 March PeacePacific Youth Forum - youth education and information day, an opportunity to meet, share with and learn from experienced Pacific peace people. The forum is a platform for youth involvement in the UN conference and a chance to discuss the real Pacific peace issues. From the forum, youth representatives and two speakers will be chosen to attend the UN conference. A statement will be developed at the forum to be taken to the UN conference.
Resource people include: Stanley Simpson, Editor of Pacific News Bulletin and Losena Tubanavau-Salabula, Pacific demilitarisation specialist, both from the Pacific Concerns Resource Centre, Fiji; Susanna Ounei, Omomo Melen Pacific, Kanaky; Abigael Vogt, PeaceNetwork; Edwina Hughes, Peace Movement Aotearoa; Jen Margaret, Co-organiser, INSPIRE, the mega multi media peace dance party; Anna Parker, Women Educating Against Violence Collective … and more!
>From 9-30am to 5pm, Tapu Te Ranga Marae. Lunch will be provided, you must fill in a booking form to attend the forum - there’s one on the resources order form with this mailing, or at or tel (04) 382 8129, fax (04) 382 8173, email
* Wellington / Whanganui ä Tara: Saturday, 24 March
Putting the Peace back in 'Pacific' - evening of performance, come and celebrate peace in the Pacific with performers, inspiring speakers, DJs and more, 8pm til late, The Space, Riddiford St, Newtown.
In the week before and during the UN Conference, listen out for interviews and PeacePacific focus programmes on Radioactive, Radio Ati Awa Toa, Channel Z, and Peace Forum on Wellington Access Radio.
During the week of the UN Conference, there will be informal meetings, focus groups and briefing sessions at the PMA offices and Tapu Te Ranga marae. For more info, contact PMA at or tel (04) 382 8129.
Regional PeacePacific contact for Wellington / Whanganui ä Tara is Abigael or tel (04) 382 8129.
* Christchurch / Ötautahi: Friday, 30 March
PeacePacific: Putting the Peace back in ‘Pacific’ music culture extravaganza - Pacific Underground playing their unique blend of hip hop tunes spliced with Pacific beats and nuances, from 1pm to 2pm, Cathedral Square.
Delicious sounds, informative speakers, stalls, chalk art, breakdancing, grafitti art, Verse 2, The Charmed One, Jahmen, MC Peace, Sheelaroc, Esther's band, The Maestro Cooltones, Nava, Pacific Underground and Mother Guru feature, from 3pm til late, Outside the Dux deluxe at the Arts Centre.
Christchurch / Ötautahi: Saturday, 31 March
PeacePacific: workshop - facilitated workshops for young people on the subjects of independence and demilitarisation in the Pacific. Morning session: education and discussion session including guest speakers from the Pacific Concerns Resource Centre. Afternoon session: activity based workshops focusing on exploring involvement in promoting peace issues, this will involve aspects of theatre and non-violent direct actions, from 9-30am to 12-30pm and 2pm to 5pm, YWCA conference room.
In the week before, and during the week of the UN Conference, listen out for interviews and PeacePacific focus programmes on Plains FM.
Regional PeacePacific contact for Christchurch / Ötautahi is Anna or tel (03) 348 1350.
_______________________________
iii) Other NGO events _______________________________
* Auckland / Tamaki Makaurau: Wednesday, 21 March
public meeting with Losena Tubanavau-Salabula and Stanley Simpson from the Pacific Concerns Resource Centre, 7-30pm at Friends Meeting House, 113 Mt Eden Road. For more info contact Joan Macdonald, WILPF, or tel (09) 360 8001.
* Wellington / Whanganui ä Tara: Monday, 26 March
Development agencies meeting with Losena Tubanavau-Salabula and Stanley Simpson - update on the work of the PCRC, and to make contact with development agencies and others whose work involves a Pacific focus, from 10am to 11am, at the Council for International Development, level 5, PSA House, 11 Aurora Tce. For more information contact either Louise May at Caritas or Edwina Hughes at PMA
* Wellington / Whanganui ä Tara: Monday, 26 March
UN Model Disarmament Conference for secondary school students, opening by Matt Robson, Minister for Disarmament, from 9am to 3pm, at Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki Street. Organised by UNA, for more info tel (04) 473 0441 or
* Wellington / Whanganui ä Tara: Monday, 26 March
NGO seminar on Pacific perspectives on peace and disarmament - overview and introductory session. Speakers include: representatives of international peace groups in Aotearoa - IPB, IALANA, MPI, IPPNW, A2000, Peace Council and WILPF - give an overview of their Pacific peace work; speakers from the PCRC outline their work as the Secretariat of the NFIP movement, and discuss NFIP peace perspectives; plus Pauline Tangiora; an NFIP speaker; and speakers from the PeacePacific Youth Forum.
There will also be an introduction to the topics of the NGO seminar on Thursday as follows: Southern Hemisphere Nuclear Weapons Free Zone, Llyn Richards; Landmines, Mary Wareham; Small arms - Edwina Hughes; Militarisation of space, Bob White.
>From 3pm to 5-30pm, at Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki Street, free. Organised by the NGO Co-ordinating Group, for more information, or to register your attendance, contact the NGO CG at tel (04) 385 5999 x5086 or
* Wellington / Whanganui ä Tara: Tuesday, 27 March
‘Decolonisation, Demilitarisation, Human Rights, and the Environment: Challenges for Pacific People in the 21st Century’ a discussion with Losena Tubanavau-Salabula and Stanley Simpson, from 1-15pm to 2-15pm, at Pacific Studies, 6 Kelburn Parade, Victoria University.
* Wellington / Whanganui ä Tara: Wednesday 28 March
Third Erich Geiringer Oration with Senator Douglas Roche, by invitation only, co-sponsored by IPPNW Education & Research Trust and PADET, for more info contact IPPNW/A2000 (Wellington), tel (04) 385 5999 x5086 or
* Wellington / Whanganui ä Tara: Thursday, 29 March
NGO seminar on Pacific perspectives on peace and disarmament - focus sessions 9-30am - The Struggle for a Nuclear Free and Independent Pacific, Losena Tubanavau-Salabula and Stanley Simpson (PCRC), with other NFIP speakers; 11-15am - Southern Hemisphere Nuclear Weapons Free Zone, Llyn Richards (NCCD) and Michael Hamel Green; 12-45pm - Landmine Treaty, Deborah Morris; 2pm - Illicit traffic in small arms in all its aspects, Dr George Salmond (IPPNW), with a panel of David Shearer, Stanley Simpson (PCRC) and others; 3pm - Militarisation of Space and Missile Defence Systems, Dr Bob White (Centre for Peace Studies), with a panel of Bryce Harland, Dr Guy Wilson-Roberts (Centre for Strategic Studies) and Losena Tubanavau-Salabula (PCRC); 4pm to 4-30pm - discussion. From 9-30am to 4-30pm, at Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki Street, $15/$5 (includes lunch). Organised by the NGO Co-ordinating Group, for more information, or to register your attendance, contact the NGO CG at tel (04) 385 5999 x5086 or
* Wellington / Whanganui ä Tara: Thursday, 29 March
'Paradise or Universal Death: International Law and Nuclear Weapons', a public address by Judge Weeramantry - 5-30pm for refreshments; 6-00pm, welcome by Pauline Tangiora, Rongomaiwahine; introduction by Matt Robson, Minster for Disarmament, then Judge Weeramantry to 8-00pm, at St Andrew's on the Terrace, 30 The Terrace. Organised by International Law Association, for more info contact Alyn Ware tel (04) 499 3443 or
During the week of the UN Conference - there will be informal meetings, focus groups and briefing sessions at the PMA offices and Tapu Te Ranga marae. For more info, contact PMA at or tel (04) 382 8129.
An information display - focussing on Pacific peace and disarmament issues, with information about the UN Asia-Pacific Regional Disarmament Conference will be on show in Wellington City Library, from 22 to 30 March.
* Christchurch / Ötautahi: Friday, 23 March
‘A World without Landmines’ Mary Wareham, a New Zealander with Human Rights Watch (USA) speaking at 6-30pm at the United Nations Association of NZ Canterbury Branch AGM, venue and more info from Graham French, tel/fax (03) 389 7822, or
* Christchurch / Ötautahi: Friday, 30 March
'Paradise or Universal Death: International Law and Nuclear Weapons', Judge Weeramantry speaks from 12 noon to 1pm at the University of Canterbury Law School Room 108. Co-sponsored by the Law and Politics Departments of the University and the Disarmament and Security Centre. For more info contact DSC tel (03) 348 1353 or 348 1350.
* Christchurch / Ötautahi: Friday, 30 March
'The Right to Peace and the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons', Senator Douglas Roche speaks at 7-30pm at the Knox Church Hall, cnr Bealey Ave and Victoria Street. Co-sponsored by IPPNW(NZ)/Abolition 2000, PADET and the DSC. For more info contact DSC tel (03) 348 1353 or 348 1350.
* Christchurch / Ötautahi: Saturday, 31 March
Development agencies meeting with Stanley Simpson and Losena Tubanavau-Salabula, for more info contact Anna, tel (03) 348 1350 or
For more information about the UN Conference and associated NGO events, check out - http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/unconf.htm
For the NZ government’s view on the UN Conference check out - http://www.mfat.govt.nz
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Peace Movement Aotearoa the national networking peace group PO Box 9314, Wellington, Aotearoa / New Zealand. tel +64 4 382 8129, fax 382 8173, website Internet Peace Gateway <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

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