November | 2008 | Melbourne Social Forum

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MELBOURNE SOCIAL FORUM NEWS – November 2008

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In this issue :

- MSF AGM

- MSF 2009

- Want an item included in the newsletter?

- News, events and actions

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MSF 2009 : 17th – 19th April 2009

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Yes, you already know we’re planning an event, but what have we actually been doing when 2009 is still so far away?

The organisers have been busy applying for grant funding from several organisations. This meticulous task takes skill, time and foreword planning, which is a challenging ask for our voluntary time. If you know of any sources of funding that you think might assist us in delivering MSF 2009, please drop us a line. Alternatively, if you have some time and grant writing skills, we’d love to hear from you.

info@melbournesocialforum.org

Regarding the wider event conceptual planning stage. We invite you to submit your ideas for themes, activities and outcomes that you would like to see eventuate.

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Notice of Melbourne Social Forum 2008 Annual General Meeting

Thursday 13th November 2008 at 7.00 pm

Venue: Social Justice Centre – The Blue Room,

124 Napier St, Fitzroy.

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All are welcome to attend the Melbourne Social Forum’s first Annual

General Meeting.

To vote on any issues relating to the organisation you must be

a member, this can be done on the night of the meeting and is a one off fee of $10.

If you have any other items to discuss at the meeting, please send them to the organisers list as they must be on the agenda in order for them to be discussed. Many items on this agenda will be very brief.

Agenda

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1. Election of chair and minute taker

2. Attendances and Apologies

3. Proxies

4. Verifying quorum numbers and entitlements to vote

5. Report from the Public Officer

6. Report from the MSF Organisers Committee

7. Acceptance of the financial statements

a. income and expenditure

b. assets and liabilities (balance sheet)

8. Proposed budget for the next financial year

9. Setting of membership fees for next financial year

10. Election of MSF Officers

a. Co-Convenor 1

b. Co-Convenor 2

c. Secretary

d. Treasurer

11. Special business

For more details please contact the Melbourne Social Forum info@melbournesocialforum.org

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Want an item included in the next newsletter?

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Submit your events and news items to news@melbournesocialforum.org by 21st November to be included in the next newsletter.

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Environment Education Officer

PT – 4 days / week

The North East Neighbourhood House Network is seeking an experienced Environment Educator to coordinate the Community Information, Learning & Engagement processes of our project Greener Houses Growing Greener Neighbourhoods. Must have experience working with volunteers, knowledge of environment, community development and education, Neighbourhood Houses, and commitment to local communities contributing to solutions to climate change.

Closing Date 5 Nov 08.

Further information Linda Parlane 9486 3691 or greenerhouses@jikajika.org.au

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People & Planet: Social Justice & Environment Diary 2009 – Out Now!

People & Planet is a gorgeous annual diary featuring 55 exceptional photos of people and places around the world, accompanied by short, fascinating stories about social and environmental issues.

People & Planet 2009 is published by a partnership of over 30 Australian social justice and environment organisations, and raises funds for the work of these organisations in promoting a for a just, sustainable world.

People & Planet makes a great gift for Christmas, and is a “must-have” diary for 2009.

Printed on a mix of recycled and plantation paper and spiral bound, every second page features a striking and inspiring photo of people and places around the world, with each facing page covering one week from January to December 2009.

You can buy People & Planet 2009 for just $19.95 +p&h from www.peopleandplanet.org.au

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Petition from the Rail Tram and Bus Union for safer stations to allow more people access to public transport and to speed up station throughput during commuter peak times.

www.saferstations.com.au

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run an environment and conservation site called, AustConserv, www.austconserv.com. It is run by volunteers and donations.

We’re after news and information about eco businesses, events and technology. If you have anything you wish to have published and marketed online then please forward it our way.

If you have a business, all you have to do is register and then submit to the eco listings. Upload your logo, write a full description and take advantage of Google Maps.

Here is an example of EcoHaven in Hobart.

E.g. http://austconserv.com/the-eco-listings.html?sobi2Task=sobi2Details&sobi2Id=17

All listings are fully search engine optimised and the site is driven by an environmentally aware community and hence a lot of targeted traffic flows through the site which is perfect for businesses that are also environmentally orientated.

We’re running competitions and promotions for the month of November and doing a lot of cross promotion between businesses event sand our articles.

Spread the word, www.austconserv.com/invite/importer.php

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Casino Crash

Critical radical thinking on the financial and economic crisis – Transnational Institute & Institute of Policy Studies

www.casinocrash.org

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Beyond Zero Emissions Discussion Group Wed 5th November – Retrofitting houses for energy efficiency

Topic: Retrofitting Australia’s homes for greater energy efficiency

Guest Speakers: Lyn and Maurice Beinat

When:Wednesday November 5th 6.30pm *notice we have changed from our usual Monday time, due to Melbourne Cup

Where: Top Floor, Kindness House 288 Brunswick St Fitzroy

Charge: By donation

Link: www.beyondzeroemissions.org/discussiongroup

This month the Beyond Zero Emissions discussion group will look at the issue of increasing the energy efficiency of the existing housing stock. Heating and cooling our houses are an enormous user of electricity and hence contributor to our greenhouse gas emissions. Australia has extremely low standards of energy efficiency in our existing housing stock, and so improvements are a great way to reduce our emissions, and save money while we are at it.

Who better to get to discuss these issues than people who are already out there doing it. Lyn and Maurice Beinat are pioneers in retrofitting existing houses for energy efficiency. Through their company ecoMaster, they aim to retrofit Australian homes as sensibly, easily and economically as possible. They will discuss their hands on experience with issues of insulation, draft proofing, double glazing and heating/cooling, in the context of wider housing sector energy efficiency policy opportunities. As an added bonus, we might all get some great ideas reduce our own emissions at home and save some money while we’re at it.

www.ecomaster.com.au

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Climate Forum

What does the Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) need to include to achieve real action on climate change?

Ross Garnaut has released his final report on Australia’s proposed ETS, outlining how he thinks Australia should tackle the growing climate crisis. But does his model provide for real action on climate change and for a just transition to a low carbon economy? This forum will look at what an ETS needs to achieve real action on climate change.

Speakers:

* Prof David Karoly, lead scientist IPCC

* Julius Roe, National President Australian Manufacturing Workers Union

* Damian Lawson, Friends of the Earth, Australia

When: Thursday Nov 6, 6.30 pm

Where: State Library of Victoria, Swanston St, Melbourne, Village Threatrette

Entry by gold coin donation.

Organised by Friends of the Earth Australia

with the support of the City of Yarra

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FRIENDS OF THE EARTH CLIMATE JUSTICE COLLECTIVE

Thu 6 Nov, 6.30pm

The group meets 1st and 3rd Thursday of month.

Info: ellenmroberts@yahoo.com.au

312 Smith St, Collingwood

All welcome, No cost

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Water for Life

Free 3 part seminar series

When:

*Thursday Nov 6 – Interfaith perspectives

-Interfaith panel on water & spirituality (What does water

mean for the different religions?)

Aboriginal Australian: Andrew Travis (Parks Victoria)

Hindu: Pandit Abhay Awasthi (Hindu Foundation)

Jewish: Rabbi Johnathan Keren Black (Jewish Ecological Coalition)

Christian: Rev. Harry Kerr (Anglican Rev, Pax Christi Victoria)

Muslim: Yasser Soliman (Diverisity Connect)

Sikh: Jamel Kaur Singh (COMMON [Centre of Melb Multifaith & Others Network])

Mediation by Geoff Berry

*Thursday Nov 13 – Science, Politics & Community

- The science & the politics of regional water issues.

Science: Tim Thwaites (New Scientist)

Community: Mary Crooks (Watermark)

Political issues: Peter Ker (The Age)

*Thursday Nov 20 – Linking water & culture

Facilitator: Norman Currie (COMMON)

Where: The Roof Top Room, Northcote Town Hall, 189 High St, Northcote

Melway Map 30 Ref E – 9

Background:

GreenFaith Australia brings together people from different faith communities and spiritualities in Melbourne to respond holistically in thought, practice, community and spirit to the ecological problems our diverse multifaith society is facing. We seek to learn from the wisdom of the faith traditions in responding ethically to our ecological environment. We hope to act practically on ecological issues and through action create opportunities for interfaith fellowship and learning.

GreenFaith Australia is supported by: COMMON, Jewish, Christian, Muslim Associaton, Faith Communities Forum, Victoria.

Website: www.greenfaithaustralia.org

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SURREY HILLS SUSTAINABILITY EXPO 2008

Sun 9 Nov, 11:00am – 5:00pm

To celebrate this year the Surrey Hills Neighbourhood Centre is organising a dynamic and rich mix of food, fun, stall and demonstrations, debates, performances, and competitions for kids, to demystify and make sustainable living accessible come and see how you can make a lighter footprint! It is a hot topic in the community and this is the first time we have held our annual festival on this exciting theme. The spring-time festival is considered a highlight of the calendar year for young and old. It attracts an average of four thousand people from local and regional areas.

http://www.surreyhillsnc.org.au

eventorganiser@surreyhills.org.au

0411 387 551 or 03 9890 2467

An initiative of the Surrey Hills Neighbourhood Centre, supported by the City of Boorondara

Neighbourhood Centre, 157 Union Street

All welcome, It’s Free!

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THE SUSTAINABLE CITIES ROUND TABLE ON HEALTHY CITIES

Wed 12 Nov

Organised by SustainableMelbourne.com and the Victorian Eco-Innovation Lab (VEIL) Presented in partnership with the Australasian Centre for the Governance and Management of Urban Transport (GAMUT) and the State Library of Victoria

A truly sustainable city must also be a healthy one. At this Sustainable Cities Round Table we will explore the nexus between environment and health.

How are healthy cities also more environmentally-friendly?

How can greater happiness help the planet?

We will hear from a range of experts and practitioners in topics covering carbon-neutral transport to consumption, parks and diet.

This event also features international guest speaker, John Whitelegg.

The Sustainable Cities
Round Tables are a regular series of events that showcase local environmental initiatives and encourage networking for people working in urban sustainability issues across the government, academic, industry and community sectors. To view footage of previous events visit www.sustainablemelbourne.com and click on “Sustainable Cities Round Tables” at the top of the screen.

Please register your attendance to RSVP@SustainableMelbourne.com by 7 November

Village Roadshow Theatrette, The State Library of Victoria

FREE

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Human Rights arts & film festival 2008 (HRAFF)

Feed the future

* Screening 13 – 23 November – Capitol Theatre & Kino Cinemas, Melbourne – see HRAFF website for details of screenings & events

* Exhibition date & times – see HRAFF website for details of exhibitions and events

Background:

Starting with a small idea, 2008 has seen HRAFF grow into a nation-wide Festival bringing you twice as many films and artworks from all over the globe. HRAFF is about making a space and community where we can creatively engage and become actively involved with human rights, at home and abroad. HRAFF is more than just food for thought; it is about growing and feeding a brighter future.

Website: www.hraff.org.au

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THE GROWERS AND EATERS FORUM: BETTER FRESH FOOD DEAL FOR FARMERS AND CONSUMERS

Fri 14 Nov, 9am – 4pm

Key note speaker: UK food & transport expert John Whitelegg

After hosting the successful Cities Feeding People Conference in 2007 Cultivating Community have joined forces with a broad range of passionate community food groups, agencies and local government to bring you the 2008 ‘Growers and Eaters Forum”.

The forum aims to bring farmers and food security advocates, community organizers, policy makers, community food projects, local government, businesses etc together with the goal of establishing new food distribution enterprises that will be mutually beneficial to both growers and eaters.

Between dealing with the effects of climate change, dwindling oil supplies, increasing costs of transport and housing coupled with the fact that the two big supermarkets are dominating our local food system, it is time to explore alternatives that will support small farmers and make fresh local food accessible to everyone in the community.

The success of this forum and the resulting initiatives will depend upon the contribution of eaters and growers, however it is especially dependent on understanding the needs of growers and the effects of the current distribution system on their livelihoods.

This forum will be an exciting opportunity for growers and eaters to get together and look at new ways we can feed our communities, now and into the future.

To register your interest, please e-mail your Name and 100 words or less about your farm, food project of role in the food system to growersandeaters@cultivatingcommunity.org.au by Monday 6 October.

Info and booking: 9387 2609

www.ceres.org.au

Organized and supported by Cultivating Community, the Brotherhood of St Laurence, SecondBite, CERES, Moreland Community Health, Victorian Farmers Market Association, Slow Food Victoria, MADGE, VicRelief Foodbank.

Brunswick Town Hall, Sydney Road, All welcome

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* Walk against warming *

Enough talk – It’s time for action.

Demand real action on climate change.

Walk for a safe climate future!

When: Sat 15 Nov, 1.00 pm

Where: Federation Square

Background:

Last year we held the world’s biggest climate change rally. One month later, Australia signed the Kyoto Protocol. One year on the future of our climate still hangs in the balance.

Organized by:

Environment Victoria, in partnership with Victoria’s Climate Action Groups, Greenpeace and Make Poverty History.

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WATERS OF TUVALU: A NATION AT RISK

Daily until November 16: 10.00am – 5.00pm

IMMIGRATION MUSEUM, 400 Flinders Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Tuvalu climate change story at Immigration Museum puts world on notice The devastating impact of climate change on Pacific islands and their populations will be explored in a challenging new exhibition at the Immigration Museum.

This new exhibition will be among the first to tackle a pressing consequence of climate change – the expected loss of Pacific island nations and resulting migration. The exhibition will pose the challenging question: What would you do if you had no homeland? The very survival of the islands of Tuvalu will be dramatically affected in coming decades by the rising sea levels expected as climate change takes hold of our planet, leaving Tuvaluans effectively stateless. The exhibition will explore how Tuvaluans living in Melbourne are struggling with the idea that their nation and heritage will cease to exist altogether.

Bookings & Enquiries 13 11 02

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Bike Fun Events

Urban Scum Poker Run 2 – Tuesday November 4, Melbourne Cup Day

10:30AM registration, 11AM start.

You are dealt a poker hand as you ride Melbourne’s cobbled lane underbelly. $10 in, best hand wins the jackpot. Not a race. Darebin Parklands Wooden Tower

(Melways p31 C9), More information: mdoreian@optusnet.com.au

Art Show @ Don’t Come Gallery – Wednesday 19th November

Design aficionado and committed bicycle nut Brad Haylock will curate local and international artworks that explore the rich and expanding appreciation of the bicycle in the creative community.

http://www.dontcome.com.au

Part of the Melbourne Bicycle Film Festival

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Zero Footprint Week: how many planets do you need?

Awareness week invites all Australians to take a few steps to tackle climate change and save money.

November 23 – 29 is Zero Footprint week, an umbrella awareness week that invites individuals, families and businesses to take simple steps to reduce their ecological footprint, save money, and help to halt climate change.

An initiative of the One at a Time Foundation, Zero Footprint Week encourages business and community organisations to get involved and hold their own events as a part of the week.

For more information and to find out how you can be involved in Zero Footprint Week please go to www.zerofootprintweek.org.au or contact:

Amanda Little Amanda@oneatatimefoundation.org.au or 0411 193 684

RETURN OF THE SACRED KINGFISHER FESTIVAL – A new community dance and theatre work based on Indigenous and Auslan sign languages.

Sat 29 Nov, 3-9pm

Seven performance vignettes with a collective theme of the Seven Deadly Environmental Sins will be presented using sign language, visual art, dance and song to create the performances, which show us how we, as a collective community may cause a deadly sin on the environment.

Leading up to the festival we will be running Indigenous sign language workshops, presented by Ian Hunter and Brendan Marks in the Namalata Willem space at CERES. The workshops will include Indigenous song, dance, teachings of Indigenous culture through storytelling and sign language.

The festival program will include children’s activities, performances, music, food and dance.

CERES Crn Lee str, Brunswick

All welcome, $10 / $8

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African Studies Association of Australasia and the Pacific 31st Conference

“Building a Common Future – Africa and Australasia”

State Library of Victoria, Melbourne

26-28 November 2008

On-line registration is now available

Please visit the conference website to register:

www.meetings.com.au/africa/index.php

Since 1978, the annual African Studies Association of Australasia and the Pacific (AFSAAP) conference has been bringing together Africa-focused scholars, students, government and diplomatic staff, business, industry and individuals to discuss Africa and the issues, challenges and opportunities which the continent faces. The aim of AFSAAP conference is to identify and discuss ways in which Africa and Australasia can work together towards shared solutions and a shared future.

The African Studies Association of Australasia and the Pacific and Monash University are now inviting registration for the forthcoming 31st African Studies Conference – “Building a Common Future – Africa and Australasia”. The 31st AFSAAP conference will be held from 26 to 28 November 2008, at the State Library of Victoria in Melbourne.

In addition to the main conference proceedings, the three-day program also includes a Postgraduate Workshop, Business Forum and Community Forum. Mr Mac Maharaj, South African politician, member of the African National Congress and anti-apartheid activist, will be guest speaker at the conference dinner.

Please visit the conference website for more information regarding the conference program, conference themes and to register on-line.

contact

Catherine Bevan-Jones

Project Officer, Africa

Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (International)

Monash University

Phone: +61 (0)3 9905 8096

Mobile: 0414 216 575

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OASES graduate school, community learning and research centre

Thinking of post-graduate study in 2009? ’Bringing who you are to what you do’

Masters degree in integrative and transformative studies

Invitation to Open Day, Saturday, 29 November 2008

join us for breakfast to hear Dr Shugurensky’s talk participate in the open day from 11.30 onwards learn more about the Grad Dip and Masters courses offered in 2009.

The oases Masters program is accredited with national recognition within the AQF framework.

Special international guest speaker:

Dr Daniel Schugurensky on ’Transformative learning and social change’

oases Saturday Breakfasts: Conversations for Critical Times

Dr Schugurensky is Associate Professor and Coordinator of the Adult Education and Community Development Program, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto. OISE has long been known for its work in social justice and international solidarity, and has developed a reputation in the areas of participatory development, action research, community development and the role of education.

For more information, visit www.oases.edu.au

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Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup

56 Nations: one goal

When: 1-7 December 2008

Where: Federation Square & Birrarung Marr

Further information:

Over 500 athletes will be competing in a jam-packed schedule of more than 400 fast-paced street football matches on custom-built pitches in Federation Square and Birrarung Marr. Eight homeless and marginalised people from across the country have been selected to represent Australia at the Melbourne 2008 Homeless World Cup.

Entry to the event is free.

Website: www.homelessworldcup.org

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Melbourne Social Forum

Monthly Archives: November 2008

The top worst corporations of 2008

Friends of the Earth – Eco Market

Next MSF Organisers Meeting

Proposal for a World Safe Climate Covenant