Minutes of Another Europe Is Possible meeting

national | eu | news report Thursday January 08, 2004 22:03 by Another Europe Is Possible - Another Europe Is Possible

Held on Saturday 3/1/04

Here is the minutes of last saturday meeting, hope to see you on Saturday 10/1/4, 3pm in the teachers club, we also are looking for someone who can do sign language (see below) please get back to us
thanks
rory -- convenor, another europe is possible

I know that This is along shot, but a person who wishes to attend the "Another Europe is Possible" meeting, on Saturday is Deaf, and he requires a sign language interpreter.
The cost of getting someone to do this is euro 85 for the hour. I would be most grateful if you could forward this on to everyone on the list to see if they know of a person who could do the job voluntary.

Minutes of last meeting
1. Public Launch of "Another Europe is Possible" :
A launch date of January 22 - both a public meeting, press events and protest for immigrants and asylum seekers rights are to be organised. Suggested Speakers and Organisations to be followed up included : Jack O'Connor (SIPTU); AfrI; Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign; Oxigen Strikers; Residents Against Racism; Ivana Bacik; IAWM; Joe Higgins (Socialist Party);Anti Bin Tax Campaign (Dublin).
Issues to be highlighted include : European Union immigration restrictions, racism; Closure and Privatisation of Prisons; Trial of Anti-War Activists (Mary Kelly and others);
Volunteers offered to form a sub-committee and report back on this to the next meeting (

2. Publicity - Basis of Campaign :
Rory Hearne read out text of a draft leaflet. It was agreed to circulate this, and come back next meeting with suggestions, amendments, and so on.
It was agreed that the campaign would use the document issued by the "Assembly of the Social Movements" at the conclusion of the recent European Social Forum in November 2003 in its publicity.

3. Niav Keating agrred to set up a website for AEIP.

4. All Ireland Meeting, AEIP in Galway :
Rory Hearne reported on the setting up of an AEIP Group in Galway.
After some discussion, it was agreed to set up a sub- committee, which will report on convening an All- Island meeting within the next two/three months to co-ordinate activity during the Irish EU Presidency. Volunteers who agreed to work on this included John Meehan, Brian Cuddy and M O'Sullivan.
In this context, proposals to prioritise activities on particular dates – for example May 1 2004 – could gain wider support.

5. Trade Union Support, Aer Rianta, Dublin Council of Trade Unions :
Barry Nevin reported on initiatives to organise a representative cross-section of Union Branches to meet the SIPTU leader Jack O’Connor. The importance of getting widespread support for a May 1 protest was stressed. Des Bonass reported on discussions taking place within the Dublin Council of Trade Unions – information that is more definite will be publicly available after a meeting on Tuesday January 6.
It was agreed that we will invite Dublin Council of Trade Unions (DCTU) President Tom Ryan to speak at AEIP launch events. It was also agreed to elect Des Bonass as AEIP contact person with the DCTU.
It was agreed we will promote the ETUC statement opposing European Union neo-liberalism and privatisation, and calling for action on April 2-34 2004.

6. Finance, Literature :
It was agreed to discuss finance in detail at the next meeting, and agree a set of activities. Literature, particularly basic points of agreement, also needs to be finalised. Also agreed to seek affiliation/sponsorship from different organisations, and raise some funds in this way.
Bríd Smith agreed to follow-up difficult problem of setting up a bank account.

7. Pascal Lamy Visit to Dublin :
John Meehan and Deirdre de Búrca informed the meeting of the Democracy and Public Services in Europe (DAPSE) organised protest against the EU Trade Commissioner Pascal Lamy on Monday January 5 (NB see report and pictures on the Irish Indymedia site ( www.indymedia.ie ). Also noted that a debate on these issues is taking place in the Irish Times letters page, Deirdre de Búrca has had a number of letters published.

8. Structure of Campaign :
After discussion, it was agreed to meet regularly in the same venue @ the same time up to the launch on the 22nd.
It was agreed that Rory Hearne would be convenor of the alliance and that John Meehan, Deirdre de Búrca, Barry Nevin and Rory Hearne would work on media guidelines.
The next meeting will be on Saturday January 10 in the Teachers’ Club, 36 Parnell Square, Dublin 1 @ 3.00-4.00pm. Room is booked downstairs, to facilitate wheelchairs.