Posted on 22-3-2002

Network For Peace And Justice

An Invitation to Take Part

On Monday 11th February a meeting was called to discuss the formation of a
Network for Global Peace and Justice. The purpose of such a network would
be to help strengthen the efforts of the many groups already working on a
whole variety of issues and to perhaps give a collective voice to concerns
they hold in common.

Attending the meeting were a number of organisations with concerns ranging
from :
* Resistance to globalisation and the destructive effects this has for New
Zealand workers and people overseas;
* Opposition to George Bushs war without end;
* Growing Gap between Rich and Poor
* Privatisation of state assets and community services;
* Concerns for refugees;
* Opposition to multinational corporate control of national economies;
* Religious persecution in many parts of the world;
* Trade union persecution
* Opposition to Genetic Engineering of Food

The meeting was very positive about the concept of the network which could
have initial aims to:
* Establish clear links (particularly electronic) between the groups to
share information about activities which could be disseminated to a wider
audience.
* Exchange ideas, strategies, resources and information to help strengthen
each of the groups themselves
* Initiating on-going educational activities such as speaking tours and
seminars and organising protest activity on issues of common concern.

Before making any decisions about the name of such a network (Justice and
Peace Network? Global Justice Network?) or agree on objectives or protocols
it was decided to cast the net much wider and extend the invitation to take
part to as wide a range of groups as possible.

This letter then is an invitation to the next meeting at which we hope such
a network could be formed. We would like any group or organisation which
would like to consider being part of such a network to come along and join
the discussion.

The meeting will be held in the Supper Room, Trades Hall, 157 Great North
Road, Grey Lynn, Monday 8th April at 7.30pm.

The proposed agenda is as follows:
Welcome and Introduction : (5 minutes)
Background to the meeting: (5 minutes)
Discussion of Purpose of Proposed Network (30 minutes)
Discussion of Structure of Proposed network (30 minutes)
Name for the Network? (10 mins)
Allocation of tasks to be done before next meeting (15 minutes)
Setting the date and time for the next meeting (5 mins)
Meeting to finish by 9.30pm.