Beirut Int. Assembly of Anti-War and Anti-Globalization Movements

from imc beirut - 29.08.2004 10:45

Beirut International Assembly of Anti-War and Anti-Globalization Movements Sept. 17 –19

Following the fake June 30 “handover” of sovereignty, the Unites States’ military, economic and political occupation of Iraq continues and, along with it, the deliberate destabilization of the region. At the same time the Bush administration has given the Sharon government free reign to pursue a policy of assassinating the Palestinian people and building an apartheid wall to isolate and control them.

Photo essay of Day 1 of the International Assembly of Anti-War and Anti-Globalization Movements - Beirut (including the visit to Sabra and Shatilla massacre mass-grave, and the solidarity march through Shatila Palestinian refugee camp)

Objections to the conference by some grass root groups in Beirut

How the conference worked like the UN

- application/pdf

one of the anti-war demos between Feb 15 and March 20 in beirut

Indymedia Beirut will put all reports concerning the conference here.

However, indymedia beirut is not an organizer and has no connections with the organizers. Neither the calls for the conference nor the program represent the opinion of imc beirut. In fact, some of what is said in the organizer's calls for the conference is very far from the views of indymedia beirut activists.

First call for the Assembly
Second call for the Assembly
Registration Form

Documents on the Anti-war conference which took place in December 2003 in Cairo

Report on Anti-War conference in Cairo by Swingdon delegates

(Preliminary) Program of Beirut Assembly of Anti-War and Anti-Globalization Movements

This is a suggestion by imc beirut to improve the progam that was put forward by the organizers Focus on the Global South, which is not online yet. However, here we put up what they send to us. This is supposed to be a work in progress. Any suggestions are welcome. Please send them to marylou at focusweb.org
and to imc-beirut at lists.indymedia.org
so we can put them on this website.

Objectives of the meeting

1. Reevaluate our strategies and concepts with which we fight capitalist globalization, US led imperialism and militarism. Discuss new ideas and concepts for our struggle.

2. Improve networking between the anti-war movement, the movement against capitalist globalization and other movements and struggles in the Arab World and elsewhere, in order to strengthen the global movement.

In three sections, we will discuss 1) the current situation, our 2) weaknesses and strengths, and come up with 3) action plans.

Friday, September 17

8.30am - 9am	Registration of Delegates

Morning: Opening session

9am - 10am	Participants introduce themselves
10am - 12.30pm	The Lebanese People's successful struggle against Israeli occupation.
	The main protagonists of the struggle, Hizbollah, Communist Party, PSP, Organization for Communist Action explain their organizations' objectives and strategies in this struggle and discuss differences, problems and common achievements.
12.30pm - 2pm	Lunch

Afternoon: What's the situation now?

2pm -3.50pm	Overview of struggles against US militarism, Israeli aggression and other struggles around the world against imperialism
	Five lectures a 10 minutes leaving 10 minutes for discussion each. Speakers will explain the situation in Iraq, Palestine, Arab World, Afghanistan, Latin America (Alternatives Asia or Africa)
4pm-6pm	Globalization and War
	War has always been a means to appropriate other people's wealth. Now, we see how war, the threat of war, or coup d'etats are used to accelerate capitalist globalization. Under the pretext of democratization, countries are forces to liberalize their economies. The speakers will show how this acceleration is gaining pace by highlighting recent developments in the WTO, FTAA, FTA's. A special focus will be on liberalization and privatization efforts in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Arab World. Examples will also be given from Latin America, Asia and Africa.
6pm	Snack break
7pm - 9pm	Time for participants to form international working groups on issues they work on (e.g. all groups struggling for the liberation of Palestine), for networks to hold a meeting (e.g. Attac and indymedia groups), and to form working groups on issues related to the conference and working groups for the preparation of direct actions and demonstrations. Groups should submit their topic with an introduction if possible before the conference and latest by lunch time.
9pm	Dinner

Saturday, September 18

Morning: Successes and Failures of the Anti-War Anti-Occupation movements

9am - 10.50	Iraq - campaign by the movement between Feb. 15 and March 20 and at present
11am - 1pm	Palestine - key campaigns and strategies since the beginning of the Al Aksa Intifada and before
1pm-2.30pm	Lunch

Afternoon: What is to be done - Action plan working groups

2.30 - 5pm	working groups work out proposals how we can improve our struggle in different areas. Those working groups not focussing on Iraq and Palestine, which have been introduced in the morning session, should start with reports by people working in the field.
	Suggested Action Plans: Struggle against the occupation in Iraq Struggle against the occupation in Palestine Struggle against other wars going on and to come Struggle against privatization and liberalization Struggle for real democracy Improvement of links and networking in the movement
5.10pm	Presentation of action plans to the conference Election of a committee which will prepare the draft political statement for Sunday morning, based on the actions plans.
6pm	snack
7pm	film screenings by Middle Eastern media activists and discussion

Sunday, September 19

9am - 1am	Meeting of international working groups and last preparations for actions and demonstrations. Meeting of the Political Statement Committee. Meeting of conference follow-up working group (should be formed by organizers and Friday's group on Improvement of Networking within the Movement) to prepare reader, address lists, proposal for next meeting etc. for all participants. Where these groups meet should be announced Saturday at lunch.
1-2.30pm	Lunch break
2.30pm	Presentation of the draft political statement and discussion.
4pm	demonstration (suggestion: Sabra and Shatila) and other actions

Note:

Each session and working group should have a facilitator/moderator and a rapporteur, which are chosen in the beginning of each session. They should be chosen on the basis of gender equality and representing different nationalities.

Coffee breaks should be scheduled after each two hour discussion period.

The Babels network of volunteer interpreters and the Nomad network of technology activists will be part of the meeting and insure interpretations into Arabic, English, French and Spanish.