ISF-octGroup Irish Social Forum (Co-Operation and Solidarity Summit Group) Minutes

ISF-octGroup Irish Social Forum (Co-Operation and Solidarity Summit Group) Minutes

Irish Social Forum (Co-Operation and Solidarity Summit Group) Minutes of meeting held on Thursday September 18th 2003 at Comhladh offices, Dublin. 7.30pm.

Attendence:
Pat Clafferty, Mary Kinane, Liz Curry, Paul Kinsella, Mark Grehen,
Brendan Young, Mark O' Connor, Paul Cummins, Joe Campbell, Rory
Hearne, Jean Somers, Paul Butler, Orla Walsh, Cian O'Callaghan, Joe
Kelly.

Apologies:
Brian Cuddy, Barry Finnegan, Paul Dillon, Finbarr Dwyer, John
Meehan.


1. Nomination of Chair and minute-taker.
Chair Mary Kinane
Minute taker Pat Clafferty

2. Matters arising from previous meeting.
There was a call for persons to attend the North-East 3rd All-Island
Forum in Belfast this Sunday 21st September 2003. If people are
going, could they please email the Communications working group.

3. Feedback on Plenary sessions.
a.The deadline for plenary sessions to be organised is extended to
next Monday. We heard a report from Mary Kinane that ThePeace not
War plenary is underway under the auspices of PANA, IAWM, and
NGO peace Alliance. Willie Cummings is the liason here.
PANA have decided to hold their AGM at the October forum in UCD.

b.We heard from Rory Hearne about the plenary on Public Services
and Privatisation. He is hoping to get a speaker over from Pakistan,a
representative from Dublin Bus, a representative from the Anti Bin Tax
campaign, and perhaps one/two other speakers.
Brendan Young called for a speaker to be included from the Ballymore
Eustace Water Plant. They successfully resisted a privatisation move.
Brendan shall contact a speaker and liase with Mary Kinane/Rory
Hearne.

c.Pat Clafferty confirmed the attendance of speakers for the Planet not
Profit plenary. George Marshall, head of the Rising Tide UK
organisation will speak. Richard Douthwaite, FEASTA. Pat Finnegan
from Grian and Deirdre de Burca, Zero Waste Network and Green
Party will finalise the line up.
It was agreed that the session will concentrate on how to tackle Global
climate change andits link to social and economic issues at home.

d.Mark Grehen is liasing with Paul Butler regarding the plenary on No
to Racism and Discrimination, yes to Equality. After some discussion,
it was agreed that a broader number ofgroups should nominate
speakers, with time limited to five minutes per speaker.
Brendan spoke about the possibility of having a seperate workshop
regading the Abortion issue instead.

The Sunday morning Forum.
Rory proposed that it shouldbe a 'final assembly feedback' meeting.
This was agreed. A venue has not been confirmed. Findlaters Hall is
not available.Brendan reported that we can look again at the
possibility
of Liberty Hall. Cian suggested UCD as a fallback. It was agreed that
we should use this option if no City centre venue was found.

4. Report from the Carnival/ March group.
Joe Campbell reported. There is a meeting set up for Monday
regardingfinalising Smithfield as a venue. It looks promising. There is
a call for anyone who has/ or knows someone with a Health and Safety
cert tohelp out on the day. Liz Curry said she may be of assistance
here. If so, contact Carnival working group. Various acts are being
confirmed and all will be revealed closer to the date. Joe has been in
contact with Oxfam and Fair Trade with regard to sponsoring the
event.

5. Report from the Communications group.
It was agreed that we should print up 500 A2 posters and 5000 A5
flyers. Joe Campbell will undertake to do a design for these. He will
liase with Mark Grehen regarding the printing. They are needed to be
completed by Monday as it is hoped to distribute them before and at
the Sept 27th Anti-War March. Joe will contact Barry Finnegan
regarding content.

6. Report from the Buildings and Finance group.
Barry Finnegan is looking at getting our Bank account set up. There is
to be a meeting of the Communications Group on Monday 22nd at the
Teachers Club at 7.30 pm. Get well soon Barry!!

7. A.O.B.
Brendan asked about the possibility of having a press conference with
some of the attendees of the WTO in Cancun linking in with us. Jean
Somers said that none of them had returned back yet. This shall be
discussed further at the Comms meeting on Monday.
Brendan also suggested a workshop with regard to the Trade Unions
and Public Private Partnership. Ian McDonald to be contacted on
same.


We had a discussion on how things are going generally. The response
being very positive.

The next meeting shall be at the Comhladh offices, Dublin 2, next
Thursday 25th September 2003. The chair is nominated to be Joe
Kelly. Any persons who are to report at this meeting but cannot attend,
should contact Joe with an update if possible.


To find out all about the Irish Social Forum see:
http://www.IrishSocialForum.org