[Aidwatch] New AID/WATCH DVD on Melanesian land rights and development

[AID/WATCH E-Bulletin]

Dear Subscriber



Included in our bumper October newsletter, this week AID/WATCH starts the
first of many film nights showing films by Melanesian activists on issues
of Melanesian customary land and livelihoods, AusAID-funded land reform
projects, and impacts of other development processes. Read below for dates
to put in your diary.



We’ll also give you an update of our campaigns around the Cambodian Railway
project, a run-down of some of the other development debates we’ve been
participating in, and our upcoming trivia night.



In this issue:

·       AID/WATCH new Melanesian land DVD and film night
screenings<#13a66e6dcdaaf630_dvd>

·       Cambodian Railways campaign update <#13a66e6dcdaaf630_cambodia>

·       20th Anniversary Celebrations <#13a66e6dcdaaf630_anniversary>

·       AID/WATCH in the news <#13a66e6dcdaaf630_news>

·       People and Planet Diaries and Calenders now on
sale<#13a66e6dcdaaf630_people>

·       AID/WATCH trivia night: 5 December, Camperdown
Bowls<#13a66e6dcdaaf630_trivia>





*AID/WATCH releases new DVD on Melanesian land and Melanesian film night
screenings*



AID/WATCH in coordination with the Melanesian Indigenous Land Defence
Alliance <http://www.mildamelanesia.org> have released a new DVD on
customary land and livelihoods called ‘Defending Melanesian Land 2: Focus
on Vanuatu’. In the videos, customary landholders give an insight in to the
significance of land in Ni-Vanuatu communities, the impacts of reform being
driven by international interests (including AusAID land reforms) and
contrasts Melanesian perspectives with corporate development agendas.



The DVD features two short documentaries by Melanesian filmmaker Scott
Waide as well as interviews with Ni-Vanuatu Numalin Mahana on the value of
customary land and Chief Selwyn Garu on the problems of land
alienation. ‘Portions
of Paradise <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OMBrtZXEGk>’ about AusAID
support land reforms in Vanuatu and ‘Em Graun Bilong
Mipla<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Qk9X_rOOjI>(this is our land)’,
an inspring documentary about a group of communities
in the Upper Ramu Valley (at Sausi in Madang Province, Papua New Guinea)
who rejected commercial oil palm development and chose to remain in control
of their land and resources.



AID/WATCH will be co-hosting screenings of ‘Portions of Paradise’ and ‘Em
Graun Blong Milpa’ in an exciting evening of Melanesian films also
featuring the documentary ‘Bougainville after the war’ by Bouganville
filmmaker Clive Porabou <http://mekamui.wordpress.com/>. Entry is by
donation, with all money raised going to Clive’s studio (all films are
approximately 20 minutes each running time).



*Film showings for your diary include:*



Tuesday 16th October, 6.30pm

Communications building, University of Wollongong

(See here <https://www.facebook.com/EnviroFilms?fref=ts> for more detail)



Thursday 18th October, 6pm

University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Theatre Lounge, Level 3 (near food
court), Tower Building, Broadway, Sydney

(See here <https://www.facebook.com/events/159961834128151/> for more
detail)

*Includes discussions with Liz Barrett from AID/WATCH, Aboriginal land
rights activist Dan Jones and Vicki Johns from the Bougainville Freedom
Movement*

* *

Tuesday 23rd October, 7pm

Atheneaum Front Theatre 188-120 Collins St Melbourne CBD

(See here <https://www.facebook.com/events/383028831776036/?fref=ts> for
more detail)

* *

We’re currently looking to host some further screenings across the country.
Like the AID/WATCH Facebook page
<https://www.facebook.com/AIDWATCH?fref=ts>to keep posted about all
upcoming screenings.

* *

* *

*Cambodian Railways Campaign update*



AID/WATCH released a
report<http://www.aidwatch.org.au/news/aidwatch-new-report-off-the-rails-ausaid-and-the-troubled-cambodian-railways-project-0>back
in February on the troubled AusAID-sponsored Cambodian railways
rehabilitation project that was marked by a botched resettlement program,
and threats to NGOs who tried to highlight program issues. Since then we’ve
continued to follow the program, although attempts to access key
resettlement documents were blocked by
AusAID<http://aidwatch.org.au/news/aidwatch-media-release-ausaid-dodging-transparency>in
July over fears that their release would danger relationships between
the Australian and Cambodian Governments. Questions concerning the freedom
of Cambodian NGOs have continued to go unanswered.



On 3 October 2012 AusAID
announced<http://www.ausaid.gov.au/HotTopics/Pages/Display.aspx?QID=826>an
extra $1million to the project in order to “improve
community consultation and monitoring of the resettlement process” as well
as financially assist with the resettlement packages. In a case of too
little too late, a week later a group of NGOs, Cambodian families and the
Human Rights Law Centre filed a complaint about human rights breaches with
the Australian Human Rights Commission.


Emphasising many of the issues that were first raised by AID/WATCH, the
Human Rights Law Centre and the families are arguing that the Australian
Government has breached international human rights obligations by funding
the project without safeguarding their rights. The lack of progress on
resettlements is a breach of international human rights obligations, with
thousands of families still awaiting compensation for their lost homes,
incomes and gardens.



For recent media of this issue see here:

http://www.smh.com.au/world/ausaid-defends-human-rights-concerns-over-cambodian-railways-project-20121010-27cn2.html



http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2012/s3607397.htm



http://www.hrlc.org.au/files/Press-release-AHRC-complaint-Oct-5-2012_FINAL-.pdf

* *

* *

*20th Anniversary Celebrations and Fundraiser Wrap-up*

* *

Thanks to all of those that made it to our 20th Anniversary celebrations in
September. We heard some great speeches and stories about some of the
amazing achievements of AID/WATCH over the past 20 years from Senator Lee
Rhiannon, as well as from campaigners past and present. Also a big thank
you to the bands that had us all shaking a foot or two during the evening –
Ember, My Sauce Good and the Rhythm Hunters. Here’s to the next 20 years!



If you missed some of the media around our anniversary, never fear you can
catch-up on it here:



·       Interview with AID/WATCH Co-Director Liz Barrett on 2SER’s
Aidworks<http://www.2ser.com/shows/aidworks/podcasts/aidworks-5th-september-2012-aid-watchs-liz-barrett-on-aid-watchs-20th-anniversary>program

·       Former AID/WATCHer James Arvanitakis talks to FBI’s Alex
Pye<http://www.cpod.org.au/page.php?id=294>about 20 years of AID/WATCH
(look
for 5 Sept post)



* *

*AID/WATCH in the news*



AID/WATCH was interviewed for the following news items over the past couple
of weeks:

* *

*‘Like if you want to end global poverty’, The Global
Mail*<http://www.theglobalmail.org/feature/like-if-you-want-to-end-global-poverty/403/>
*, 2 Oct 2012*

AID/WATCH Chair James Goodman talks to Julie Ulbricht about poverty,
advocacy and campaigning on issues of development



*‘AusAID report criticises PNG HIV programs’, ABC
Radio*<http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2012-09-28/ausaid-report-criticises-png-hiv-programs/1022398>
*, 1 Oct 2012*

AID/WATCH Co-Director Liz Barrett on accountability in aid programs







*People and Planet Diaries and Calenders for Sale***

* *

* *

The 2013 People and Planet Diaries are now available from the AID/WATCH
website<http://www.aidwatch.org.au/news/2013-peolple-planet-calendar-and-diary>featuring
beautiful photography from around the world, and perfect for
seasonal gift giving.

* *

* *

* *

*AID/WATCH Annual trivia night*

* *

It’s that time again folks. Dust off the family encyclopaedias, catch-up on
all your topical incredibly important news items/celebratory trash and
prepare yourselves for the annual AID/WATCH trivia night.



We’ve tentatively set the date for Wednesday 5 December at Camperdown
Bowls<http://www.camperdownbowlingclub.com.au/>in Newtown, Sydney.
Keep your eye on our
website <http://www.aidwatch.org.au> and
Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/AIDWATCH?fref=ts>page as we’ll be
uploading booking forms in the next little while. Last
year we were choccas and we’ve already got a veritable swag of amazing
prizes lined up.



See you there!



The AID/WATCH team
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