[Aidwatch] "Economics for Ordinary Folk" Teach-in & More!

Mon Feb 23 20:08:45 PST 2009

Hello Aidwatchers,

Find yourself tongue-tied when you argue with economists? Grind your teeth
when you read about the financial crisis? Want to be able to explain how
your vision for an economically, socially and environmentally just world is
not only possible but necessary?!?

Then come along to AID/WATCH and AFTINET’s “Economics for Ordinary Folk” 1
day teach-in on March 28th or join AID/WATCH’s new campaign collective.
There are also other ways you can help strengthen movements for global
justice with AID/WATCH this year. If you can’t be actively involved in
campaigns or events you can renew your membership and support our appeal to
“Keep Melanesian Land in Community Hands”.

Thanks for your continued support to AID/WATCH and the work we do.

Lara Daley

Director

AID/WATCH E-Bulletin Tuesday February  24th 2009 

1.    EVENT: Economics for Ordinary Folk Teach-in

2.    NEW: AID/WATCH research & campaign group

3.    BACKGROUNDER: Charitable Advocacy on Trial

4.    APPEAL: Keep Land in Community Hands 

5.    VOLUNTEER POSITION: Events Coordinator 

6.    CALL OUT: Lake Cowal Gathering

7.    Donate to AID/WATCH

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1.    EVENT: Economics for Ordinary Folk Teach-in  

Find yourself tongue-tied when you argue with economists? Grind your teeth
when you read about the financial crisis? Want to be able to explain how
your vision for an economically, socially and environmentally just world is
not only possible but necessary?

"Economics for Ordinary Folk" is a 1 day teach-in hosted by AID/WATCH and
The Australian Fair Trade and Investment Network (AFTINET). The day is aimed
at skilling-up participants on economics and the impact of orthodox economic
theories on the peoples of the world, particularly the majority world.

When: March 28th 10am-4pm 

Where: Amnesty International, level 1, 79 Myrtle St, Chippendale (Sydney)

Cost: $15 (concession) $25 (waged) $40 (passionate)

For more information and to confirm your place please call 02 9212 7242 or
email lara (at) aidwatch.org.au or campaign (at) aftinet.org.au by Monday 16
March.

To view event info click here: HYPERLINK
"http://www.aidwatch.org.au/events/economics-for-ordinary-folk"http://www.ai
dwatch.org.au/events/economics-for-ordinary-folk

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2.    NEW: AID/WATCH campaign collective 

At 6pm on the 9th of March AID/WATCH’s new campaign collective will meet for
the first time. The campaign collective is a great way to be more involved
in our campaigns and actions to ensure that aid is determined by the needs
of communities.

In 2009 a key focus for AID/WATCH will be the Pacific, in particular AusAID
funded Pacific land reforms. If you would like to learn more about this
issue and become active in our community education and actions please come
along! 

Where: AID/WATCH, 19 Eve Street Erskineville

When: 6pm March 9th 

For more info and to RSVP if you can make it contact: HYPERLINK
"mailto:lara at aidwatch.org.au"lara at aidwatch.org.au 

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3.    BACKGROUNDER: Charitable Advocacy on Trial

Last year the Rudd Government announced a new era of social inclusion, and a
new Federal partnership with charities. Against the grain, the Australian
Taxation Office is resorting to the Federal Court to establish a test case
against charitable advocates. The ATO’s case concerns AID/WATCH, a small
charity that monitors Australia’s international aid programs.

To read the backgrounder follow this link:

HYPERLINK
"http://www.aidwatch.org.au/news/backgrounder-charitable-advocacy-on-trial"h
ttp://www.aidwatch.org.au/news/backgrounder-charitable-advocacy-on-trial

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4.     APPEAL: Keep Land in Community Hands

AID/WATCH is deeply concerned that the self-determination of Pacific Island
peoples is threatened by commercial and political interests pushing for the
registration of customary land. We are calling for the maintenance of
customary systems of land tenure as determined by communities and for the
continued community management of land. 

In November of last year, we appealed for your support for our 2009 land
campaign. We have reached 80% of our $20 000 target, but we still need your
help. 

Our aid campaigner, Lara is heading off to Vanuatu in April to build on our
research and collaborations with local groups in Vanuatu for this campaign.
Please donate now, small and large gifts are very much appreciated.

Click this link to give to AID/WATCH today:

HYPERLINK
"http://www.aidwatch.org.au/donate"http://www.aidwatch.org.au/donate

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5.    VOLUNTEER POSITION: Events Coordinator 

AID/WATCH is looking for someone who is passionate about social and
environmental justice and wants to coordinate a fundraising dinner or film
screening event for AID/WATCH this year. 

We are looking for someone who wants to build on their existing
communication and organisational skills, working collaboratively with
AID/WATCH staff, Committee of Management and other volunteers.

The position is 4hrs/per week for a period of 12 weeks and will be a fun and
creative way to be active on aid issues. 

If this sounds like you contact: HYPERLINK
"mailto:lara at aidwatch.org.au"lara at aidwatch.org.au

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6.    CALL OUT: Lake Cowal Gathering Easter Weekend 2009 

For the past 10 years Wiradjuri Traditional Owners (HYPERLINK
"http://www.protestbarrick.net/article.php?id=107"http://www.protestbarrick.
net/article.php?id=107) and their supporters have kept their feet rooted
firmly in the ground against the world’s largest gold mining company,
Barrick Gold.

There have been some significant wins in the past week around Barrick Gold
and we want to continue this good work by building a strong presence this
year at the Lake Cowal Gathering from Friday 10 April – Sunday 12 April. 

For more information about the gathering and to support the campaign
contact: HYPERLINK
"mailto:natalie.lowrey at foe.org.au"natalie.lowrey at foe.org.au

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7.    Donate to AID/WATCH

AID/WATCH is a community-based organisation and does not accept government
or corporate funding. We need your help to continue our work as the
independent monitor of Australia's aid and trade and to improve the effects
of development on the planet and its people. Only through being financially
self-sufficient can we have the freedom to criticise or applaud with
objectivity. Together with you we can achieve change without compromise.

Click this link to give to AID/WATCH today:

HYPERLINK
"http://www.aidwatch.org.au/donate"http://www.aidwatch.org.au/donate

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Administrivia: 

To plug your grassroots event, please email HYPERLINK
"mailto:info at aidwatch.org.au"info at aidwatch.org.au 

 To remove your address from the list, send a message to:
  HYPERLINK
"mailto:aidwatch-unsubscribe at lists.aidwatch.org.au"aidwatch-unsubscribe at list
s.aidwatch.org.au

 To change your subscribed address, please unsubscribe by emailing the above
address, and re-subscribe your new address at HYPERLINK
"http://www.aidwatch.org.au/"www.aidwatch.org.au

AID/WATCH

19 Eve St., Erskineville, 

NSW, 2043, Australia

Ph:       +61 2 95578944

Fax:      +61 2 95579822

HYPERLINK "http://www.aidwatch.org.au/"www.aidwatch.org.au

HYPERLINK "mailto:aidwatch at aidwatch.org.au"info at aidwatch.org.au

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