[Aidwatch] 2 more sleeps to go until the AID/WATCH anniversary fundraiser

[AID/WATCH E-Bulletin]

Dear Supporter



In the past month we’ve been gearing up for our 20th anniversary
celebrations and fundraiser which is happening a mere 2 sleeps away this
Thursday 6 September at the Red Rattler in Marrickville. This is a chance
to recognise all of the incredible work done by our many volunteers,
members and campaigners over the last 20 years, work that wouldn’t have
been possible without the continued support of people like you.



If you haven’t already got your tickets there will be some available on the
door, but it helps us out greatly if you're able to pre-book. You can buy
online here<http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=31393>(more
details are below).



Also in this bulletin:

·         AID/WATCH article on mining and accountability<#1398f3ccfa55795b_PWYP>

·         After the RIO+20 – report back from our
forum<#1398f3ccfa55795b_AfterRio20>

·         Deep sea mining in the Pacific <#1398f3ccfa55795b_deepseamining>

·         Positions vacant: AID/WATCH is looking for a campaigner volunteer
web administrator <#1398f3ccfa55795b_positionsavailable>





*AID/WATCH 20th Anniversary Fundraiser*



The AID/WATCH 20th Anniversary Fundraiser is now just a mere 2 sleeps away.
It’s still not too late to pre-book your tickets (book tickets
here<http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=31393>).




We’ll be kicking things off with a keynote speech from founding member Lee
Rhiannon, followed by a panel discussion with AID/WATCH campaigners past
and present. Music is supplied courtesy of the Iranian sounds of Ember,
Cabaret French Swing of My Sauce Good <http://mysaucegood.com/> and
international drumming sensation The Rhythm
Hunters<http://www.therhythmhunters.com/background/index%20Background%20Info.htm>
.


Nibbles provided and drinks available at the bar.



*When:             *Thursday 6 September 2012

*Time:               *7pm – 11.30pm

*Where:            *The Red Rattler

                         6 Faversham St

                          Marrickville, NSW, 2204



More information is available on our
website<http://www.aidwatch.org.au/campaigns/aidwatch-20th-anniversary-celebration-6-september>or
on
Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/events/376377932429912/>



*Publish What You Pay Blogroll*



Publish What You Pay <http://www.publishwhatyoupay.org/> is a collection of
Civil Society Organisations that strives for accountability and
transparency in the resource extraction industries. Throughout the Olympics
they published blogs relating to the silver, gold or bronze mining
industries of winning nations. Reflecting on Australia’s silver wins,
AID/WATCH
Co-Director Liz Barrett wrote this
piece<http://www.publishwhatyoupay.org/newsroom/blog/anvil-silver-mine-and-search-accountability>on
the Australian Anvil Mining Company and attempts to hold them
accountable for human rights abuses.

*Anvil silver mine and the search for accountability*

In October 2004, Congolese troops entered the town of Kilwa in Katanga
Province situated in the nations southeast, 50km away from the Dikulushi
silver mine operated by Australian company Anvil Mining. A small, poorly
armed rebel group of less than 10 people had taken over the town two days
previously and the military had been sent in to clear them out.

In what became known as the “Kilwa
incident<http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/content/2005/s1384238.htm>”,
by the time the military left, more than one hundred people, most of whom
were civilians, lay dead. Eyewitness accounts and investigations after the
incident found mass graves of people who were summarily executed, reports
of torture, widespread looting by the military and illegal detentions.

READ the rest of the article
here...<http://www.publishwhatyoupay.org/newsroom/blog/anvil-silver-mine-and-search-accountability>



*After Rio+20 Forum*



Big thanks to everyone that came out to our successful post Rio+20 forum
last month, which we co-hosted with Friends of the Earth Sydney. Mehreen
Faruqi, Kylie Benton-Connell and Lee Rhiannon each gave very interesting
talks on different components of the Summit - the role of big business, the
NGO counter summit and the Australia's Government's sustainable mining
agenda. After the talks we had a really engaging discussion about advancing
global environmental justice and the intersection between the climate and
aid justice movements in Australia.



*Deep Sea Mining in the Pacific*



AusAID opened applications for their Development Research Awards
Scheme<http://www.ausaid.gov.au/Publications/Pages/adras-priority-themes-2012.aspx>in
August. With Mining for Development given its own priority sector (it
also appears again under the Africa priority sector), NGOs are worried
about what exactly AusAID’s role in the mining industry is going to be.
Within these Awards, AusAID have also provided special funding for those
undertaking research on experimental sea bed mining.



Pacific NGOs have been running a high profile
campaign<http://www.deepseaminingoutofourdepth.org/>against the threat
of this ‘experiment’ on Pacific lives and livelihoods.
Canadian mining company Nautilus Minerals Inc. (Nautilus) is set to embark
on the unprecedented extraction of metals from the sea floor. The mining
project, known as the Solwara 1 project, will extract gold and copper from
the floor of the Bismarck Sea in Papua New Guinea.  It is the first of a
potentially large number of deep sea mining projects within the Bismarck
Sea and wider Pacific Region.



So far more than 8000s
signatures<http://mildamelanesia.org/news/8000-sign-pang-petition-block-experimental-sea-bed-mining>have
been collected on a petition to block the mining from occurring and
asking
for a moratorium<http://mildamelanesia.org/news/pacific-cso%E2%80%99s-call-moratorium-deep-seabed-mining>on
deep sea mining.
 Read more about this campaign
here<http://www.deepseaminingoutofourdepth.org/>.




*Positions available**

*

*Campaign Coordinator*



AID/WATCH is currently seeking an experienced campaign coordinator to
facilitate planned publication launches and activist speaking tours at the
end of the year. Longer term the coordinator will be responsible for
planning and coordinating campaigns in conjunction with the AID/WATCH
Committee of Management.


The position is 3 days/week (21.5 hours)

Applications are now open



Go to our website<http://www.aidwatch.org.au/news/position-vacant-campaign-coordinator>
or the ethical jobs
website<http://www.ethicaljobs.com.au/Members/Aidwatch/campaign-coordinator/?searchtermurl=aidwatch**>for
more details





*Volunteer Web Administrator*

* *

Do you know your drupal from your elbow? AID/WATCH is currently looking for
someone able to volunteer regular time to AID/WATCH in order to administer
our website.



Visit our website<http://www.aidwatch.org.au/news/position-available-volunteer-web-administrator>for
more details
**
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