PMA what’s on where listings

*** INTERNATIONAL ***

~ Now - Peace Brigades International (PBI) is currently seeking volunteers for the Indonesia Project - you need to apply as soon as possible as the training Project (9-19 August in Victoria, Australia) will fill up fast. PBI is a unique grassroots, non-partisan human rights organisation that maintains international teams of volunteers in areas of conflict around the world. For over twenty years, PBI has worked to protect the lives of individuals, organisations and communities threatened with human rights abuses and political repression. On request, PBI volunteers provide nonviolent protective accompaniment for local human rights workers, trade unionists, indigenous activists, church leaders, and communities who live and work amid extreme political violence and repression. PBI volunteers literally walk beside them. Acting as the ‘eyes and ears’ of the global community and backed up by an international support network, PBI’s protective accompaniment allows local activists to continue their work for peace. It is challenging, demanding but crucial work. By being there, PBI volunteers are literally ‘making space for peace’. For more information and to find out how to get hold of an application form, please contact PBI Aotearoa/NZ, Peter Watson, tel (06) 345-0634 or email pbiet@clear.net.nz

~ International Days of Action Against War - there are currently no international days of action as such scheduled; national events in the US and Britain are: * 17 - 18 May * US National Conference against War, Colonial Occupation and Imperialism, in New York City, organised by the ANSWER Coalition http://www.internationalanswer.org/ * 31 May * US National Teach-In on Iraq, Preemptive War and Democracy - a national day of education and action in Washington, DC. Organised by United for Peace and Justice http://www.unitedforpeace.org

~ THURS, 15 May - International Conscientious Objectors' Day, for information about the day see http://www.wri-irg.org/news/2003/icod-03.htm This year’s focus is on conscientious objection in Israel and non-violent resistance to the occupation of Palestine, see http://www.wri-irg.org/pdf/br58may15.pdf

~ SAT, 24 May - International Women’s Day for Disarmament

*** NATIONAL ***

~ FRI, 9 to SUN, 11 May - National Peace Workshops 2003! After a two year absence, the annual gathering of peace and anti-war people is back ... organised by Peace Action Network Otautahi, in association with Peace Movement Aotearoa, the National Peace Workshops will take place at the Coppertop Conference Facilities, Second Floor, Commerce Department, University of Canterbury, Ilam, Christchurch. Registrations will be accepted on the day. The programme, general information and registration form are available at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/npw03.htm

~ THURS, 22 May to THURS, 29 May - A Saharawi woman speaks out: national speaking tour by Fatima Mahfoud, a representative of the Saharawi people, who will be telling the story of the Western Sahara conflict from a Saharawi woman's point of view. She will share her experiences of life in the refugee camps where her people have been living in unbearable conditions for 26 years whilst their families remain trapped in the territories occupied by Morocco where they suffer human rights abuses. Fatima will also be speaking about the role of women in Saharawi Society - women are respected and acknowledged as playing significant leadership roles in Saharawi society. In particular they are crucial to the effective functioning of the refugee camps, there are women ministers and many women in senior positions within the structures of the government who have power and authority; literacy rates are the highest in Africa. For local details see listings below for * Auckland, 22 May * Dunedin, 24 May * Christchurch, 26 May * Wellington, 29 May. For more info about the national speaking tour, contact email annalucia@chn.quik.co.nz More information about Western Sahara is available at http://www.wsahara.net and http://www.arso.org If you can help with a donation to meet the costs of bringing Fatima here, please send your cheque (payable to WILPF, Auckland Branch), to Fatima Mahfud tour, WILPF Auckland, PO Box 47-189, Ponsonby, Auckland.

~ Ongoing - Not in Our Name (Aotearoa / New Zealand) - War without end? not in our name ... at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/nionnz.htm

~ Ongoing - Buy USA? No Way! Boycott US brands, we can help peace every time we go into a shop and we can choose where to spend our money. We can send a message to Bush and his band of bullies that is strong and clear and effective. For more info check out Spend for Peace Boycott at http://www.spendforpeace.co.nz

***** LOCAL *****

*** AUCKLAND

~ Monday, 12 May, 6 - 'Why US?', a documentary film by IIMCR Educational Films which is designed to shed light on why the tragedy on September 11th might have taken place, how Americans responded to the attacks, and how America is viewed in the wider world. It is a collection of interviews with politicians, academics, journalists, parents of victims of the 11 September 2001 attacks, and Muslim radicals; 7-45pm, Lecture Theatre 215, Arts 1 Building. Organised by New Zealand Institute of International Affairs (Auckland Branch), for more info contact email j.yang@auckland.ac.nz

~ FRI, 16 May - 'Crumbs or Commitment: what’s on the menu for children?' a post-budget breakfast - carve up your breakfast while sharp-witted speakers dissect the 2003 government budget; incisive commentary with Maori perspectives on child health, education, family support and housing. From 7-30am to 8-45am, Old Government House, Waterloo Quadrant. Presented by the Child Poverty Action Group, in association with the University of Auckland Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care and the Institute of Public Policy. Tickets $20, please RSVP to email jwakim@xtra.co.nz before Friday May 9, send cheques to CPAG, PO Box 56-150, Mt Eden, Auckland - tickets and receipts will be available at the breakfast.

~ SUN, 18 May - Human Rights Benefit Concert: Artists for Amnesty International, featuring Jackie Clarke, Miranda Adams, Jonathan Besser; with Ensemble Philharmonia, Vivo, Bravura, Tango Tiempo Dancers & more! From 1-30pm, at St Matthew-in-the-City. Tickets $30 / $20, children under 12 free. Tickets from Ticketek or at the church door from 12-30pm, all proceeds to Amnesty International. For more information contact email john.shaw@amnesty.org.nz

~ MON, 19 May - Human Rights Network (Auckland) meeting, 5-45pm to 7pm, in the Staff room, Centre for Language and Languages, 2nd floor, A block, Auckland College of Education, Epsom (entrance via Gate 3 at 74 Epsom Avenue - car parks are readily available as staff leave around 5-30pm). For more info or to add items to the agenda, contact email manager@nsa.org.nz

~ MON, 19 May - 'IRAQ …what next?' with speakers including Keith Locke MP; Dr Umara, Iraqi member of the Mandaean Religion; and Susie Blowers, Chair of Amnesty New Zealand; 7-30pm in the Lounge Room, St Austells Church, corner Seabrook Road and Margan Avenue, New Lynn. Organised by Amnesty International West Auckland.

~ THURS, 22 May - A Saharawi woman speaks out: Fatima Mahfoud speaks at 7-30pm, St Columba Centre, 40 Vermont St, Ponsonby. For more information see the listing in the National section above, for local meeting contact Felicity Coggan tel (09) 579 5707.

~ TUES 27 May - 'WTO and GATS, who needs them and why?', a chance to explore GATS ramifications for all New Zealanders; 7-30pm, St Columba Centre, 40 Vermont Street, Ponsonby. Organised by Human Rights Network (Auckland ), for more info contact Nola Harvey tel (09) 623 8899 x8455 or email n.Harvey@ace.ac.nz or Joan Hardiman tel (09) 377 5541 or email dominicans3@xtra.co.nz

~ Every week day - anti-war vigil / service with Rev Craig Forbes, 12 noon to 1pm, at the Pitt Street Methodist Church, Newton.

~ Every Wednesday - Direct Anti War Action meeting, supper provided, all welcome! 7-30pm, at Trades Hall, 147 Great North Rd, Grey Lynn. Organised by Direct Anti War Action, for more info contact email euphemiak@yahoo.com

~ Every Saturday - picket at 12 noon, outside the US Consulate, Citibank Building, Customs St East, because the US is still occupying Iraq and killing Iraqis. Organised by Direct Anti War Action, for more info contact email euphemiak@yahoo.com

~ Every Sunday - Silent Peace Vigil, every Sunday from 9-15am to 9-45am, outside the Quaker Meeting House, 115 Mt Eden Rd. All welcome, for more info tel Friends Centre (09) 630 6834.

*** THAMES

~ Every Saturday - silent vigil for peace, 9-15am to 9-45am, outside St James Church. For more info contact tel (07) 868 9914, email bellbird@wave.co.nz

*** GISBORNE

~ Every Thursday - peace vigil, from 5pm to 6pm, at Heipipi park by the waka, while the aggression continues. For more info contact tel (06) 868 1905 or email cdelahunty@clear.net.nz

*** WHANGANUI

~ FRI, 16 May - Peace Brigades International Indonesia Project public meeting - a unique opportunity to come and find out about this innovative peace work, from the people actually involved on the ground in Indonesia, as well as Committee members from several countries. Starts with a potluck meal at 6pm (bring some food to share), then at 7-30pm an introduction to the work of PBI and the Indonesia; at the Friends Settlement, 76 Virginia Road. For more information contact Peter Watson tel (06) 345-0634 or email pbiet@clear.net.nz

~ Every Friday - vigil for peace, 12 noon to 1-30pm, Majestic Square. For more info contact Peter tel (06) 345 0634 or email pbiet@clear.net.nz

*** MASTERTON

~ Every Sunday - Peace Vigil: silent meditation and prayers for world peace, from 5pm to 5-30pm at the Cenotaph, Masterton Park, until the invasion ends. Bring a cushion, candles and flowers if you wish. For more information contact Guusje tel (06) 379 5047

*** WELLINGTON

~ THURS, 8 May - Candle lit vigil for peace, 5pm to 6pm at the Cenotaph, for more info contact Peace Movement Aotearoa, tel (04) 382 8129 or email pma@xtra.co.nz

~ THURS, 8 May - 'Measuring Genuine Progress - How Indicators Shape the Policy Agenda', with speaker Dr Ron Colman, international leader in the development of the GPI (the Genuine Progress Indicator) who is constructing an index of prosperity and well being for Nova Scotia as a pilot for Canada. Ron says that 'growth' has not made us better off - "not when you include crime, pollution, wars and sickness as positive contributors to our society - as the popular measure of progress does in the GDP." Our economic well being is presently misguided by using the GDP; it is an artificial, fictitious measure of growth. A seminar, presentation, and discussion hosted by the Centre of Social Research and Evaluation, Ministry of Social Development; from 8pm, Featherston Room, InterContinental Hotel, Corner Grey and Featherston Streets. Please RSVP to email Jim.Lindsay002@msd.govt.nz if you are planning on attending.

~ FRI, 9 May - Picket and Picnic at Sir John Ilott Green! The Green is the only green space in the Civic Centre area, it was gifted to the City by Sir John Ilott and used to be the site of the Circa Theatre and the Planetarium. Now the Council wants to sell it off to commercial developers; from 12 noon to 1-30pm at the Sir John Ilott Green, corner Harris St and Jervois Quay - next to the Art Gallery and Capital E. Organised by the Wellington Residents Coalition, for more info email wjt@actrix.co.nz

~ FRI, 9 May - Nuclear weapons proliferation: with a focus on North Korea and the USA - with speakers Merav Datan, international lawyer and disarmament specialist, principal drafter of the Model Nuclear Weapons Convention, on ‘International Law, Nuclear Weapons, and US Policy’; Tim Beal, Senior Lecturer in the School of Marketing and International Business at VUW, specialist on North Korea on ‘Giving as Good as You Get: North Korea and the Bush Doctrine’; and Roderic Alley, Associate Professor in Political Studies at VUW on ‘Article 6 of the Non-Proliferation Treaty: a Dilemma Without End?’ Chaired by Dame Laurie Salas, 20 minutes for each speaker, questions to the speakers from the floor, and a 'wrap-up' session at the end; Marian Hobbs, Minister for Disarmament, should have just returned from a preparatory meeting for the next Non-Proliferation Treaty Conference and she has been invited to open the seminar. From 5pm, tea/coffee, first paper at 5-30pm, ends at 7-30pm, Lecture Theatre 1, Victoria University Law School, Lambton Quay (Old Government Buildings). A Public Seminar sponsored by the National Consultative Committee on Disarmament, for more info contact email g.coote@clear.net.nz

~ FRI, 9 May - Poets for Peace: with Emad Jabbar, Iraq; Yilma Tasew, Ethiopia; Ron Riddell, Aotearoa/New Zealand; Saray Torres, Colombia; and NZ musician Bryan James. From 6pm to 7-30pm at St Andrews on the Terrace, 30 The Terrace. Free entry, with a koha collection for poets living in Iraq. Organised by Peace Movement Aotearoa, in conjunction with St Andrews on the Terrace. For more info contact Peace Movement Aotearoa tel (04) 382 8129 or email pma@xtra.co.nz

~ MON, 12 May - 'Students Against the war' meeting, 1pm in Meeting Room 1, Student Union Building. For more info contact Nick Kelly email socialist42@hotmail.com

~ THURS, 15 May - vigil for peace, 5pm to 6pm at the Cenotaph, for more info contact Peace Movement Aotearoa, tel (04) 382 8129 or email pma@xtra.co.nz

~ FRI, 16 May - 'The War against Iraq, Civil Liberties, The Bush Agenda - where to from here? Starts at 6pm with curry and rice with the video 'Voices from the Streets' by Saul Landau and Sonia Angulo, from 7pm to 8-30pm - discussion lead by Keith Locke, Green MP; at the Brooklyn Resource Centre, 36 Jefferson St, Brooklyn. For further information contact Paul Bruce tel (04) 972 8699 or email paul.bruce@paradise.net.nz

~ SUN, 18 May - Walk for peace! join the 'Health for Life Walk' peace team, entries to join the walk must be in before SUN 11 May, so if you're interested in taking part, please contact Don without delay on tel (04) 972 3298 or email jill.don@paradise.net.nz

~ MON, 19 May - 'Students Against the war' meeting, 1pm in Meeting Room 1, Student Union Building. For more info contact Nick Kelly email socialist42@hotmail.com

~ THURS, 22 May - vigil for peace, 5pm to 6pm at the Cenotaph, for more info contact Peace Movement Aotearoa, tel (04) 382 8129 or email pma@xtra.co.nz

~ THURS, 29 May - A Saharawi woman speaks out: Fatima Mahfoud speaks at 7-30pm, ground floor, Turnbull House, 25 Bowen St. For more information see the listing in the National section above, for local meeting contact Kirsten Forsyth (04) 934 2289.

~ Every week day - St Andrew's on The Terrace is offering a quiet space for anyone to participate in offering ecumenical peace vigil. Everyone is invited to share in a quiet meditative time, offering prayers for peace before going to work; from 8am to 8-30am, Monday - Friday. For more info contact email office@standrews.org.nz

~ Every Saturday - 'Behind the News' on Wellington Access Radio (783 AM), broadcast at 12-30pm, presented by Don Franks, Victoria Quade and Jim Delahunty. If you have something you'd like them to cover, or a comment on the programme, please contact Jim Delahunty tel (04)938 6943.

~ Every Sunday - Te Aro Heritage guided walks, courtesy of Campaign for a Better City, take place each Sunday for the foreseeable future. Meet at 1pm at the junction of Cuba Street and Tonks Avenue, opposite Arthur Street; entry by koha. Contact Karen MacIntyre tel (04) 973 5355 for more information or to volunteer your time.

~ Every Sunday, ‘Peace Report’ on Wellington Access Radio (783 AM), broadcast at 11-45am, brought to you by the Peace Council, funded by PADET. If you or your group wish to make a free programme to be broadcast in this slot, please contact Des Brough tel/fax (04) 388 3173.

*** CHRISTCHURCH

~ FRI, 9 to SUN, 11 May - National Peace Workshops 2003! After a two year absence, the annual gathering of peace and anti-war people is back ... organised by Peace Action Network Otautahi, in association with Peace Movement Aotearoa, the National Peace Workshops will take place at the Coppertop Conference Facilities, Second Floor, Commerce Department, University of Canterbury, Ilam, Christchurch. Registrations will be accepted on the day. The programme, general information and registration form are available at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/npw03.htm

~ SAT 10 May - 'Arts as Action' - a peace concert in conjunction with the National Peace Workshops, all are welcome to come to this concert that aims to support, encourage and teach peace through the power of music and voice; from 7-30pm at the Music Centre, 140 Barbados Street.

~ MON, 26 May - A Saharawi woman speaks out: Fatima Mahfoud speaks at 7-30pm, PEETO, 201 Peterborough St (corner Madras Street). For more information see the listing in the National section above, for local meeting contact Annalucia Vermunt tel (03) 377 3834.

~ Every day - people of faith and no faith are invited to join us for a half hour prayer service for peace, with prayers from Christian, Muslim and Jewish communities from around the world; 12 noon at St Marks Methodist Church in Somerfield (corner Barrington and Somerfield Streets). For more info contact tel (03) 332 5202 or email ChChSthMeth@xtra.co.nz

~ Every week day - Peace Sanctuary, all are welcome to pray for peace, be still and quiet, or light a candle, from 12 noon to 2pm, at St Luke’s in the City, Anglican Church, corner Manchester and Kilmore Streets. For more info tel (03) 366 2253.

~ Every Friday - Christchurch Catholic Worker invite you to join their vigil at the US Air Force base at Harewood, flights from the base serve the vast US military/intelligence bases at Pine Gap and Nurrungar. Meet at 5pm, at the Airport Roundabout (where the totem pole is). For more info contact Christchurch Catholic Worker email mmc62@student.canterbury.ac.nz

~ Every Saturday - Peace vigil, 12-30pm to 1pm at the Chalice in the Square. For more info contact email heatherthrasher@hotmail.com or tel (03) 981 2825.

*** TIMARU

~ Every Friday - prayers for peace, 12 noon at the stone cross outside St Mary's Church, Church St. For more info please contact Nance Hammond tel (03) 684 4608 or email nancehammond@hotmail.com

*** DUNEDIN

~ Every day - Candle-light vigil in the Octagon. Gather at 7pm, light candles and catch up then stand in silence between 7-10pm and 7-30pm. Anyone who wants to demonstrate opposition to war in this way is welcome. For more info contact email marie@corso.org.nz

~ SAT, 24 May - A Saharawi woman speaks out: Fatima Mahfoud speaks at 5-30pm at a dinner meeting, Age Concern Rooms, The Octagon. For more information see the listing in the National section above, for local meeting contact Marie Laufiso tel (03) 477 3395.

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