* Workshops,
Stalls, Activites and Addional Info *
Public
Forum:
On
Friday the 31st of August, the Guthrie Theatre at UTS will host our exciting
civil society forum. The public forum will bring leading thinkers, community leaders,
NGOs, and others, together to learn about the narrow focus of APEC’s free trade
agenda, and its failure to consider labour rights, human rights or the environment.
This
will be a panel presentation with expert speakers from Australia and the Asia Pacific
region - including Lori Wallach from the U.S, Melville
Fernandez from India, and Sharan Burrow
from the ACTU - addressing topics such as the impact of APEC’s agenda on climate
change and environment in the region, and the link between free trade and issues of
labour, environment, inequality, and peace.
Our
MC for the night will be rising MC star, Tim Brunero,
former Big Brother contestant, and current writer for the ABC’s The Chaser. Apart
from reality TV fame, Tim has an extensive background in politics and journalism, recently
visiting East Timor with Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA, and
playing an active role in the ACTU's Your
Rights at Work campaign.
Come early for a special screening of the
‘Constructing Fear’ documentary, presented by the CFMEU, starting at 5.30pm.
For the full
program of this event, please follow the program link on the main page.
Community conference:
The following day, Saturday the
1st of September, there will be a day long interactive conference in the same
venue. The conference will involve morning and evening panel sessions, parallel workshops,
exhibitions, screenings and information stalls and activities.
The Saturday will also include fair trade stall holders coming
to present their work and products, adding a wonderful, warm atmosphere by convening
market stalls from some leading Australian
entrepreneurs behind the success of Fair Trade initiatives that are helping
communities in South America, Africa, Asia and the Pacific. Learn all about these
organisations and discover the finest Fair Trade products that are now available in
Australian markets.
The conference will also
explore themes such as APEC’s relation to labour rights, climate change, peace and
security, and human rights and development, with expert speakers from Australia and the
Asia Pacific region presenting at morning and afternoon panel sessions.
Following each panel
presentation will be parallel workshops, hosted and presented by groups such as Oxfam Australia,
Fairwear, Union Aid Abroad, and Palms Australia. Global Trade Watch and Engage Media will
also be screening videos and documentaries.
Sydney Friends of the Earth
Sydney will also be holding an exciting art exhibition about the history of dissent and
APEC, which can be viewed throughout the day while also browsing information stalls and
activities hosted by groups such as Jubilee Australia, Sydney Nuclear Free Coalition, Tear
Australia and Climate Action Network Australia (all of which will also be hosing
workshops!)
Palms Australia and the Fair
Trade Coffee Company will also be selling fair trade tea and coffee and organic food for
the day.
Given the significance of the
APEC meetings, and the range of activities being planned all around Sydney, this
conference provides a much needed collaborative space, drawing people and groups with
similar concerns together to engage on these topics, and enjoy a variety of activities,
discussions and presentations.
For the full
program of this event, please follow the program link on the main page.
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