How may we create an independent and peaceful Australia?
How may we promote a foreign policy which builds peace and nonviolent resolutions to conflict in our region and beyond.
If these questions are close to your heart, come to Canberra and join in a national convergence of peace advocates and activists:
21-26 April 2014
The Canberra Peace Convergence will take form as a series of independent events such as conference, lectures, forums, direct actions and vigils at venues in and around Canberra, including the Silver Wattle Quaker Centre.
Its aim will be to inform, discuss, strategise, network and build the community of peace workers.
Its focus will be on the cost of the US alliance in terms of foreign wars, military bases, and military spending. Also in focus will be the economic, social, cultural and environmental costs of militarism.
The Convergence will begin with the first national meeting of Independent and Peaceful Australia Network (IPAN) on Easter Monday 21 April and be followed by a one day conference of keynote speakers and panels hosted by IPAN on 22 April in a Canberra venue yet to be confirmed.
From 23 - 26 Silver Wattle Quaker Centre near Bungendore will be the host for a residential (plus camping) Peace Activists' Open Space gathering in which the program and process will be set by its participants when they assemble.
In this Open Space the ideas and challenges brought forth by the IPAN conference will be further explored and plans for future actions agreed.
Non violent direct action will be integral to the Convergence. One such action will take place on 24 April at a military/security installation in or near Canberra and in a manner which the participants will decide during the gathering at Silver Wattle.
Participation will also be invited in the Anzac eve Peace Vigil at the Australian War Memorial later that day. This artful, lantern lit commemoration assembles at sunset on Mt Ainslie and sets out to re-imagine the Anzac commemoration and re-dream our war history.
Finally participants will be invited to support the fourth annual "Lest we forget the Frontier Killings" Anzac Day March at the Australian War Memorial on 25 April. This will be led by long time land rights activist and sovereignty spokesperson, Michael Anderson (Nyoongar Ghurradjong Murri Ghillar).
Further Information and Registration
For inquiries and registration for the IPAN National Meeting and Conference contact Annette Brownlie 0431 597 256 annettebrownlie@optusnet.com.au http://ipan.org.au/
For inquiries and registration for the Peace Activists' Open Space contact Graeme Dunstan 0407 951 688 graemed01@gmail.com http://peacebus.com/
For inquiries about accommodation at the Silver Wattle Quaker Centre contact Trish and David Johnson 02 6238 0588 office@silverwattle.org.au http://silverwattle.org.au/
Thanks to Unions ACT support, attendees at the National Folk Festival, (17-21 April, Exhibition Park, Canberra) can join the peace and independence dialogue at a Peace Convergence information stall there.
FaceBook event/group: Canberra Peace Convergence 2014
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