----------------------------------
List members may be interested in this UN/NGO Initative to stimulate
debate on Development issues through the establishment of a
"People's Assembly", which aims to operate concurrent to the present
UN General Assembly.
Details on a dedicated discussion list, contacts, and active websites
are given at the end of the message.
DL
-----------------------------------
MILLENNIUM PEOPLES ASSEMBLY NETWORK
The Millennium Peoples Assembly initiative has been launched. Spurred
by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's public support for a "Companion
Peoples' Assembly" concurrent with the UN General Assembly in the
year 2000, a rapidly evolving global network has emerged through
which the peoples of the world can work effectively with each other
and with the United Nations to take definite action to solve global
problems.
Signaling the UN's readiness to acknowledge the indispensable role
that civil society in global governance, Annan stated to the Press
(11/12/97) that "The Millennium Assembly...together with the
Millennium People's Assembly, affords the entire international
community the opportunity to articulate a strategy of multilateral
cooperation for the century ahead."
The Millennium Peoples Assembly (MPA), to be held at the beginning of
the 21st Century as a companion to the United Nations General
Assembly's Millennium Summit, will establish a means for citizens of
the world to directly comunicate our views to the United Nations and
its member states about critical global problems and their resolution.
Plans are underway to utilize a wide range of communication
technologies and a series of linked and simultaneous events to gather
and synthesize views of citizens from around the world.
Following the various global forums held throughout the world this
decade, several hundred communities have already developed local
initiatives for their cities and regions. Learning from these
successful models, local, regional and global assemblies will
encourage participation across various interest areas, build
broadbased awareness and support for each others work and move ahead
on implementing "best practices" for problem solving for the new
millennium.
We will move together using a consensus building process to consider
all viewpoints and develop the best proposals possible so that all of
us can be as strong advocates for each other's issues as we are for
our own. With all welcome to contribute to the Millennium Peoples
Assembly initiative in a meaningful way, a democratic, participatory
approach to global governance can be realized.
The Millennium Peoples Assembly coordinating network is very much in
flux and is currently (Spring 1998) being brought into focus by
several steering committees.
The Millennium Peoples Assembly Network includes two main groupings of
non-governmental organizations. Some have endorsed a vision of the
establishment of an on-going Global Peoples Assembly that would
convene each year in parallel to the opening of the UN General
Assembly, with the idea that it would gain recognition as a formal
body within the UN system. Some of the leading proponents of such a
vision have proposed that representatives to such a body should be
elected, using a formula based on their country|s population. For this
group, the Millennium Peoples Assembly offers a splendid opportunity
to launch the Global Peoples Assembly.
Another group sees a Millennium Assembly as a forum for an evolving
|global civil society whose growth has developed through the
progressively increasing involvement of non-governmental organizations
- international, national and local - in the recent series of global
conferences - including the Earth Summit on development and
environment in Rio (1992), the Vienna Human Rights Conference (1993),
the Population Summit in Cairo (1994), the Social Development Summit
in Copenhagen (1995), the Womens Conference in Beijing (1995) and the
Habitat Conference on human settlements in Istanbul (1996). The
emergence of global civil society has also been demonstrated through
the leadership role of NGOs in initiatives such as the convention to
ban landmines, challenges to the legality of nuclear weapons, the
establishment of an International Criminal Court, and opposition to
global economic agreements, most notably to the Multilateral Agreement
on Investment.
There are a number of existing Peoples Assembly efforts that can serve
as exemplary models for the types of events and activities that can be
organized for the year 2000.
*) In Perugia, Italy, the Tavola Della Pace has organized Peoples
Assemblies for the past two years with 13 international forums in 13
Italian cities, each attracting between 50 and 600 participants. One
hundred and eighteen representatives of 87 peoples were hosted by over
100 Italian city authorities before the Perugia Assembly started. One
hundred international and 120 Italian representatives of practical
experiences with an alternative economy gave presentations. Peoples|
representatives met in more than 500 public meetings with local
schools, NGOs, migrant communities and public authorities. Each of the
city assemblies had a different but interrelated theme focussed on the
global economy and its effects on the local economy leading into the
Perugia Assembly. Local governments pledged $20,000 to $60,000 (US
dollars) each for expenses for a total of $800,000 which funded these
events.
*) The Alliance for a Responsible and United World held an Earth
Citizens Assembly in Sao Paulo, Brazil in December of 1997
simultaneously linked via online communications with six assemblies
on other continents. Participants came to Sao Paulo from 50 different
countries and there was simultaneous translation in English, French,
Spanish and Portuguese. A substantial number spoke other languages and
their friends and associates served as translators. The Alliance has
created a Platform for a United and Responsible World which lays the
groundwork for the primary transformations that must take place in all
areas of society. The Alliance will sponsor an Earth Citizens Assembly
2000 with the primary gathering in India. The Alliance is a
self-organizing collective of people from all walks of life as well as
institutional leaders that are taking steps to plan for and make the
changes needed as we move into the 21st century.
*) A series of Conferences On A More Democratic United Nations
(CAMDUN) and World Citizens Assemblies have been held during the past
twenty years at various locations with the participation of hundreds
of NGOs and numerous UN officials. Themes explored include |NGOs in
the UN System, |Communicating Globally Through the UN ,
|Restructuring the UN, and |Proposals for a Peoples Assembly at the
UN. The proceedings have been well documented in a book edited by
Frank Baranaby entitled |Building A More Democratic United Nations
which is available at the UN bookstore or through Frank Cass
publishers.
*) The United Nations Department of Public Information (UN/DPI), with
its consortium of over 2000 NGOs formally affiliated with the UN, is
organizing a Millenium Peoples Assembly in New York. This will build
on 50 years of annual conferences held at the UN for NGO
representatives and their constituents.
*) CONGO (Conference of NGOs), the consortium of NGOs with UN
affiliation through ECOSOC (Economic and Social Council) is assisting
in the organizing an NGO Millennium Forum in New York to feed into the
Millennium Summit.
*) WONGOC (World NGO Conference) is being organized for 1999. This UN
University-initiated project, aimed at building global governance
partnerships, had its first preparatory meeting in Tokyo in September
1996. The next meeting will take place November 6 -7, 1998 in Geneva.
WONGOC intends to maintain its unique participatory research process
to contribute substantive and organizational concepts to the
Millennium Peoples Assembly.
*) MILENIO, an international festival celebrating the new millennium,
will be held December 28, 1999 to January 2, 2000 at the University
for Peace in Costa Rica. Along with numerous exhibits and cultural
events, the |Global Forum for the Practice of Peace will define a
common vision and devise goals and action plans for worldwide peace
initiatives.
*) A United Nations Youth Assembly will provide means for the active
and effective participation of youth in the United Nations, thereby
giving young people an international voice and representation. The
Global Steering Committee, comprised of 25 youth leaders from 10
countries and five continents, will be acting as the facilitators for
the United Youth Conference. UNESCO will recruit potential Youth
Ambassadors from each of the 185 countries they have access to,
beginning in late Summer, 1998.
You are warmly invited to join the Millennium Peoples Assembly
Network!
Here's how: First, put your name on the MPAN list (details below). You
will be linked with others in your region or city. If there is no one
listed in the network in your area, boldly take the lead yourself!
Here is a 10-step outline for organizing your local Millennium Peoples
Assembly:
1) Put together a core organizing group to develop a local and/or
regional outreach and public relations campaign. Look to your
existing community leaders in all sectors, including non-profit and
human services, business, religious and cultural groups and
government. There are hundreds of groups which have United Nations
Non-Governmental Organization (UN-NGO) representation which have
chapters throughout the world, such as the Rotary Club and other major
civil society organizations, which you can involve in this effort.
2) The core group can create a program and materials for public
outreach to other individuals, groups and organizations inviting them
to participate in the MPA. Develop a process and activities for
involving citizens and government officials, an educational campaign
for schools, civic and community organizations, and a media campaign
for public service announcements and video productions.
3) Set up a process for on-going prepcoms and activities and for
selection of delegates and representatives for the regional and global
peoples assemblies.
4) Designate an individual or committee to keep everyone informed of
the ongoing worldwide Peoples Assembly initiative.
5) Launch a fund-raising campaign. Your fundraising group can also
serve as a caucus to discuss and promote appropriate funding sources
for local-to-global programs.
6) Identify areas and concerns in your community which are most in
need of creative problem solving. Currently established efforts
elsewhere have developed "Local Agenda 21 Focus Areas" with active
participation in such diverse issues as Education, Health, Housing,
Transportation, Viable Economy, Business, Agriculture, Biodiversity,
Social Justice, Religion, Law, Environmental Restoration, Peace
Dividends, Land Tenure and Taxation Policy.
7) Develop a committee who will review the global Peoples Agendas
which have been developed during this decade at various United Nations
NGO Forums. Your caucuses can be augmented and strengthened through
linkage with already existing active networks which are currently
working on these issues.
8) Develop a program for your local Peoples Agenda which will be the
primary focus of your Millennium Peoples Assembly.
9) Develop a cultural and arts program as a celebration of the new
millennium.
10) Develop a process for the continuation of the Peoples Assembly
after the Year 2000.
To be listed as a participating member of MPAN, please forward your
name, address, email, phone/fax, organizational affiliation and/or
interest areas and fluent languages to: Sue Zipp,
EM:<[log in to unmask]> PH: 415-896-2242
FX: 415-227-4878 or write: Action Coalition for Global Change, 55 New
Montgomery St., Suite 291, San Francisco, CA 94105 USA.
Regional Coordinator for MPAN in Europe, Jose Aquilar, UN Association
Spain, has opened Registration Books for participating European Union
citizens. EM: <[log in to unmask]> or WB: <www.servicom.es/annue>.
PH/FX: 34.1.5636302 or write: Apertedo 8341, 28080 Madrid, Spain.
To help this historic movement advance, financial fuel is imperative.
The suggested annual donation for membership is: Individual: $25,
Local Organization: $50; International Organization: $100. Please
forward your tax-deductible membership contribution with check payable
to SUN(PAN) to Dr. Harry H. Lerner, 301 East 45th Street, New York, NY
10017, USA.
Peoples Assembly type events are already underway from now until the
year 2000 in several countries, including Italy, India, Brazil, Costa
Rica, United Kingdom, Spain, France, New Zealand, Japan, The
Netherlands, and the United States. For further details and to add
your MPA to the list contact Lucile Green, 774 Colusa Ave., El
Cerrito, CA 94530 USA. EM: <[log in to unmask]> PH: 510-525-5057 FX:
415-896-2242.
MPAN Coordinating Committee Offices:
(*) Action Coalition for Global Change, 55 New Montgomery St., Suite
219, San Francisco, CA 94105 USA. EM:<[log in to unmask]> PH: 415-896-2242
FX: 415-227-4878.
(*) CAMDUN, 301 E. 45th St., NYC, NY 10017, USA, PH/FX: 212-983-3353
(*) World Federalist Association, 418 7th St., SE, Washington, DC,
20003, EM: <[log in to unmask]>PH: 202-546-3950 FX: 202-546-3749.
A number of task forces have been formed to develop the MPAN,
including goals and objectives, structure, coordination and timing,
fundraising, outreach and communications, representation and
composition. Your participation is welcome. Contact: Rob Wheeler,
94235 8th St., #5, Gold Beach, OR 97444 USA,
EM:<[log in to unmask]> PH/FX: 541-247-8123.
Fundraising: Marilyn Ashby, EM: <[log in to unmask]> PH:
416-484-6723 FX: 416-484-0923 or write: 114 Glenview Ave., Toronto,
Canada M4R1P8.
Outreach and Communications: Jerry Spivack, EM: <[log in to unmask]> PH:
212-505-1804 or SM: 11 Waverly Place, NYC, NY 10003 USA.
Representation and Composition: Howard Cort, PH:518-392-2151 or SM:
Box 62, Ghent, NY 12075
To link your Peoples Agenda and issue caucuses with others being
established throughout the world, contact MPAN/CAUCUS, c/o Alanna
Hartzok, Box 328, Scotland, PA 17254, USA, EM: <[log in to unmask]>
PH/FX: 717-264-0957.
To publicize your people's assembly event on AWC TV and radio programs
and also to 130 World Citizen Centers in 40 countries contact: Doug
Mattern, Association of World Citizens, 2671 Southcourt, Palo Alto,
CA 94306 USA
EM: <[log in to unmask]>.
For Italy|s Tavola Della Pace EM: <[log in to unmask]> websites at
<www.krenet.it/a/mpace> Martin Koehler is a major coordinator.
For the Foundation for the Progress of Humanity, the initiating
organization for the Alliance for a Responsible World, EM: website
<www.echo.org>
For WONGOC, contact Mr. Cyril Ritchie, chair of the Steering
Committee. His address: CIC Case 20, 1211 Geneva 20 PH: 41(22)733.6717
FX: 41(22)734.7082 or Tatsuro Kunugi, Special Coordinator, EM:
<[log in to unmask]> PH: 0422-34-6825 FX: 0422-34-8805 or write:
c/o U.N.U., Tokyo 181, Osawa 1-15-7, Mitaka, Japan.
For further details on MILENIO, WB: <http://www.milenio.org>.
For the U.N. Youth Assembly contact Benjamin Quinto through his
website at <http://www.oneday.org> or visit gopher:
<//gopher.un.org:70/11/sec/dpcsd/dspd/unyin/wyn>.
Plans are currently underway for a convention of the Millenium Peoples
Assembly organizers at the Hague Appeal for Peace Conference in the
Netherlands in May of 1999. Information about the Conference can be
found at the International Peace Bureau's site <www.itu.ch/ipb>.
Anyone with an email account can subscribe to the MPAN on the Passem
listserv at no cost by sending an email message to:
<[log in to unmask]> with the one line message: <subscribe passem> To
discontinue participation in this list, send an email with the one
line message: <unsubscribe passem>.
To receive files that have already been posted on Passem to date,
email <[log in to unmask]> and type in the body of the message:
<get passem passem.archive.9709>
<get passem passem.archive.9710>
<get passem passem.archive.9711>
These will provide the data month by month. For more current data,
proceed with individual line requests <get passem passem.archive 9712>
and onward with 9801 and 9802, etc.
Once you subscribe to passem more information on this and other
listservs will be available to you. If you have any questions about
the list, contact information habitat: where information lives at
<[log in to unmask]>.
Here are additional relevant websites:
<http://acgc.org>
<http://www.oneworld.org/camdun>
<http://pathwaystopeace.org>
<http://www.wethepeoples.org/>
<http://www.peaceday.org/unpcday.htm>
<http://www.yosemite.net/pathways/>
<http://www.envirolink.org/orgs/earthrights>
<http://worldgov.org/forum>
<http://www.futurenet.org>
<http://iisd1.iisd.ca/pcdf/about.htm>
|Toward a World that Works for Everyone - The Earth is the Birthright
of All
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