tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88258763047608924592024-02-20T09:12:13.382-08:007th Meeting of the International Network of Women Against MilitarizationMichael Lujan Bevacquahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13075510205190074738noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825876304760892459.post-85308604292935290832010-02-28T00:50:00.001-08:002010-02-28T00:51:46.996-08:00A Letter to President and First Lady Obama from WGSFebruary 14, 2010<br /><br />Dear President & Michelle Obama, <br /><br />As you prepare to make a stop over in Guam next month, en route to Australia and Indonesia, we ask that you take the opportunity to meet with Guam Senators and community members including women of Fuetsen Famalao’an.<br /><br />As commander-in-chief of the military and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, and with your experience growing up in Hawaii and working as a community organizer you are uniquely qualified to listen to what they have to say about the proposed military build up on Guam, a small island with an already fragile ecosystem. <br /><br />We are writing this letter on behalf of 100 women who gathered in Guåhan (Guam) September 14-19, 2009 for the International Women’s Network Against Militarism conference entitled, “Resistance, Resilience and Respect for Human Rights” (Chinemma, Nina’maolek, yan Inarespetu para Direchon Tao’tao). We came from Australia, Belau, Chuuk, Guåhan, Hawai’i, Japan, Okinawa, Northern Marianas Islands, Palau, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, South Korea and mainland United States. <br /><br />We are mothers, grandmothers, young women, students, teachers, professors, social workers, religious workers, and community organizers in our respective communities. <br /><br />We gathered in Guåhan for our 7th international women’s conference because of the imminent transfer of some 9,000 U.S. Marines, plus their 20,000 dependents and a further 20,000 foreign contract workers to Guåhan under the proposed Military Re-alignment plan. During our weeklong meeting, we heard testimony and panel presentations, visited important sacred sites, and observed numerous U.S. military installations around the island. <br /><br />We heard many local concerns about the extensive military installations that already cover 1/3 of this small island (30 miles long and 8 miles wide, comparable to the size of Moloka’i), and some of the negative effects associated with them, such as contamination, crime and prostitution. Already the local population cannot eat the fish, drink the water, or grow their own food. Guåhan has twice the infant mortality rate as the U.S. mainland, and 1997% times the rate of nasal-pharyngeal cancer. We were touched by the Chamorro people’s deep love for their land, honoring their ancestors and providing for their future generations. They expressed deep concern about the impact of an additional 9,000 troops (potentially an additional 50,000 people) and the impact this would have on their already weak infrastructure, fragile ecosystem, and quality of life. <br /><br />As you have lived in Hawai’i you are probably aware of how a major military presence can impact the local community, although some effects may be hidden from plain view. <br /><br />In our discussions in Guåhan we noticed a pattern that brings about increased insecurity, particularly for women and for local communities that host U.S. bases or military personnel. What we observed in Guåhan is occurring in the other partner locations in our network: the Philippines, Korea, Okinawa, mainland Japan, Hawai’i, and Puerto Rico. The following are patterns we observed and heard repeatedly about the impact of U.S. military bases: <br /><br />1. Violence Against Women <br /><br />Local women live in fear because of the harassment, crime and violence committed by U.S. military personnel. For example, U.S. troops commit 95% of abductions and rape cases in Okinawa. In February 2008, a U.S. Marine sexually assaulted a 14-year-old Okinawan girl. A week later, a 22-year-old Filipina woman in Okinawa was raped by a U.S. soldier. And these are not isolated cases.<br /><br />Under Status of Forces Agreements (SOFAs) and Visiting Forces Agreements with the United States, governments that host U.S. bases, such as Japan, Korea, and the Philippines, do not have adequate authority to protect local women, prosecute U.S. military personnel, or provide redress for crimes committed against local women. <br /><br />Beyond this issue, a rise in prostitution and trafficking goes hand in hand with U.S. military bases and R&R sites, especially in the Asia Pacific region. Increasingly, poor women are being trafficked into the sex industry, and those working in this industry typically experience life-long trauma.<br /><br />2. Environmental Harm <br /><br />U.S. military bases generate noise and many negative impacts on air, soil, water and human health, threatening the sustainability of the environment and people’s lives, both now and for future generations.<br /><br />Bases that have been closed such as in the Philippines (1992) and the bombing ranges in Vieques (2003) have still not been decontaminated and devolved for use by local communities. <br /><br />Environmental contamination has been linked to high rates of cancer in communities alongside military fencelines. Guåhan and Vieques have no cancer treatment facilities, so people must spend their limited resources to travel elsewhere to receive the costly medical care they need.<br /><br />3. Economic Impacts <br /><br />Current U.S. military spending is more than $2 billion per day. This is a huge burden and expense, especially during these severe economic times -- in the U.S. and globally -- where these resources could be used to meet the many needs in health care, education, and economic development. <br /><br />The U.S. delegates to the Guåhan conference came from California, where state budget cuts have taken a toll on many social services such as education and health care. This school year $580 million was cut from public higher education in California, with huge increases in costs of tuition and student fees. Academic departments have been shut down, classrooms are overcrowded, and teachers are being laid off. 10,000 eligible students were denied admission to public higher education this year. For youth who cannot afford to go to college, or who cannot find employment, joining the military is increasingly their only option. <br /><br />Internationally, the U.S. military presence has distorted economic development in other countries because people’s access to land is cut off by bases, and local economies become geared towards servicing the U.S. military. For example, prior to WWII, Guåhan was self-sufficient in agricultural production. Today, 90% of its food is imported. Prostitution, bars and a service economy dependent on exploitation of cheap labor or trafficked persons typify the distorted economic development that accompanies U.S. military bases in the countries in our network.<br /><br />4. Socio-cultural Impacts <br /><br />U.S. military bases have a large impact on social-cultural development, democracy, and the voice and self-determination of local communities.<br /><br />In Guåhan, Hawai’i, Okinawa, and other places, ancestral lands and burial sites are currently occupied and even being used for bombing and firing practice by the military.<br /><br />Guåhan remains a non-self governing territory of the United States and the Chamorro people have no right of self-determination. Guåhan is on the United Nations list of 16 remaining colonies worldwide. An additional influx of outsiders, due to the military buildup, would further strain the culture, voice and sovereignty of indigenous Chamorro people on Guam. <br /><br />As we observed these things and understood that they are part of a larger pattern, we were overcome with feelings of fear, sadness, pain, frustration, and anger. As women and as leaders in our communities, we are concerned about basic human needs, primarily the everyday security of our families and communities. Women in all our communities need safety, health care and prevention from harm, as well as the protection and care of our environment. We need to be able to participate in decisions affecting our communities and homelands. We need respect and consideration for our people’s land and our ancestors. <br /><br />We believe that you may be able to understand these needs and request that you use the authority of your position to do the following: <br /><br />1. Please consider and address the environmental, social, and community impacts the planned military build-up will have on Guåhan and do everything you can to stop it. When you visit Guåhan, please talk to members of Fuetsen Famalao’an, an organization of respected women (Guam Senators, University of Guam professors, and other professionals) who have come together out of concern about the military buildup. Dr. Vivian Dames, former Guam Senator Hope Cristobal, and Dr. Lisa Natividad are all at the University of Guam. As residents of a U.S. territory, none of them have any representation with voting power in the U.S. Congress.<br /><br />2. Please consider the burden of Okinawan communities that disproportionately host U.S. bases in Japan. Okinawa is 0.6% of the Japanese land area, yet bears 75% of the burden of U.S. bases in Japan. It has been repeatedly stated that 8,000 Marines will be transferred to Guam to “reduce the burden” of Okinawa, but Okinawans are wondering why this is tied to building a new Marines base in Henoko? Please consider measures to reduce the numbers of troops overall, stop the building of yet another new base in Okinawa, and do not redirect Okinawa’s burden to Guåhan.<br /><br />3. Re-examine and follow the existing Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the U.S. and the Philippines. Serious violations have taken place that require detailed review, such as the presence of bases in Mindanao and jurisdiction over U.S. soldiers who commit crimes in the Philippines. Investigate the arguments of the numerous women’s and community groups who are pushing for the VFA to be repealed. <br /><br />4. Support and promote legislation comparable to HR 1613 that has been introduced in Congress to amend the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to include the Territory of Guam in the list of affected “downwind” areas with respect to the atmospheric nuclear testing that took place in Micronesia. <br /><br />5. Support the Republic of the Marshall Islands Changed Circumstances Petition submitted to Congress for adequate compensation for personal injuries, property damage, medical care programs, and radiological monitoring related to the nuclear testing program conducted in the Marshall Islands. <br /><br />6. Reduce future U.S. military aid to the Philippines government and enforce existing human rights conditions on current U.S. military aid to the Philippines. The clearly orchestrated massacre of 57 people in Maguindanao and countless other disappearances and extra-judicial killings reveal that there is very little accountability for U.S. weapons, military training, and military funding going to the Philippines Armed Forces. <br /><br />7. Champion the clean up of toxic waste left behind in the Philippines and Puerto Rico since U.S. bases closed so that devolution to local communities can take place. The U.S. is building new bases when old bases still have not been cleaned up. <br /><br />As recipient of the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize, we ask you to consider these requests as part of the work of creating peace and genuine security in this world. Any decision to go to war, to send more troops for training or deployment has effects on thousands of other local communities, and long-term impact on the land and health of our global future.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Delegates of the 2009 International Women’s Network Against Militarism meeting in Guåhan (Guam), active with the following organizations:<br /><br />Guåhan: Famoksaiyan and Fuetsen Famalao’an<br />Hawai’i: DMZ-Hawai’i/Aloha ‘Aina<br />Korea: Du Rae Bang (My Sister’s Place), the National Campaign to Eradicate Crime by U.S. Troops in Korea, and SAFE Korea <br />Okinawa: Okinawa Women Act Against Military Violence<br />Philippines: Philippine Women's Network on Peace and Security<br />Puerto Rico: Ilé, Inc./Organizers for Consciousness-in-Action and Alianza de Mujeres Viequenses (Viequenses Women's Allinace)<br />United States: Women for Genuine SecurityMichael Lujan Bevacquahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13075510205190074738noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825876304760892459.post-48048401005011930022010-01-31T05:19:00.000-08:002010-01-31T05:21:01.366-08:00Women From Shore to Shore, Say NO MORE!<p>From <em><a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/notnebe">Notnebe</a> </em></p><p><object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/W-7fKsyEa9g&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/W-7fKsyEa9g&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object></p><p> </p>Michael Lujan Bevacquahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13075510205190074738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825876304760892459.post-59137401768066198132009-10-19T00:49:00.000-07:002009-10-19T00:52:00.125-07:00Conference StatementWith the theme “Resistance, Resilience and Respect for Human Rights” [CHinemma', Nina'maolek, yan Inarespetu para Direchon Taotao], the International Women’s Network Against Militarism concluded its 7th International Women’s Conference held in Guam on September 14-19, 2009. Participants from Australia, Belau, Chuuk, Guahan, Hawai’i, Japan, Okinawa, Northern Marianas Islands, Palau, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, South Korea and mainland United States, took notice of the increasing militarization in their countries and its impact on the socio-cultural, political, economic and environmental aspects particularly on women and their communities. Country reports as well as panel presentations showed the pattern of militarization in said countries, as well as in other parts of the world. Some reports also emphasized the relationship between militarism and colonialism and called attention to the negative effects of such relationship.<br /><br />The US military’s ‘global defense posture” means more military intervention by seeking more access to more territories through “visiting” agreements, basing agreements, expansion of bases and waging both conventional and unconventional wars, thus undermining the sovereignty of peoples, denying them of their right to self-determination and of their patrimony. <br /><br />Amidst global financial and economic crises that has shaken the whole world and the global superpowers led by the US and aided by its allies in the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia and Japan, military build ups in the region continue. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, which have claimed thousands of lives especially from the civilian populations, are continuing. Apart from creating a culture of violence that especially affect women, youth and the elderly, environmental impacts have been noted by the participants, contributing significantly to the destruction of indigenous societies and global climate change. War exercises and trainings continue, in the name of the “anti-terrorism” campaigns in many parts of the world, particularly with former colonies in the Asia-Pacific region. We are aware that the legitimate actions against terrorist acts against the civilian populations are necessary, but must not be used as a pretext to justify military interventions that in the end terrorize civilian populations and create a culture of violence.<br /><br />The US government in its realignment plan is expanding military power in Asia-Pacific, including the relocation plan of 8,000 Marines and their 9,000 dependents from Okinawa to Guahan that would go with building a new military facility in Okinawa. The meeting denounced this military expansion package plan in either place, and is firm in standing in solidarity with the Guahan people. The meeting forwards the following demands:<br /><br />We ask women of “host” countries to push their governments to send foreign troops back to the US.<br /><br />We urge the American people especially women to urge the US government for policies that respect the sovereignty of other countries and denounce the continuing wars of aggression and for demilitarization; instead the US government and its superpower allies to rechanneling a big portion of their military budgets towards health programs for its peoples especially women and children, for livelihood programs and secured jobs, and for the general welfare of their citizens.<br /><br />Stop the expansion of bases in Guahan and other parts of the world! <br /><br />End all military agreements that support US military hegemony!<br /><br />Demand US responsibility to clean up the toxic wastes they left behind in the Philippines and Puerto Rico.<br /><br />Pull out US troops from the Philippines and other countries!Michael Lujan Bevacquahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13075510205190074738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825876304760892459.post-18272035770532754052009-09-26T17:26:00.000-07:002009-09-26T17:29:41.449-07:00Women's Group Tackles Human Trafficking IssuesWomen's group tackles human trafficking issues<br />By Amritha Alladi<br />Pacific Daily News<br />September 15, 2009<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizu8MNdWCD0lfV6R3gZeeuQqSguf0atC7eiQuJkOnCi70C5EfEGu7qT1rRfYcRllzqIQKpPYbwX-FTiHt68JhQSL1ddIosXDI2Hkd1FpqbSKE3RPa1SzDyezF36vQC8OKSKuDAcSCSzhgm/s1600-h/delegates1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 283px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385937596477952130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizu8MNdWCD0lfV6R3gZeeuQqSguf0atC7eiQuJkOnCi70C5EfEGu7qT1rRfYcRllzqIQKpPYbwX-FTiHt68JhQSL1ddIosXDI2Hkd1FpqbSKE3RPa1SzDyezF36vQC8OKSKuDAcSCSzhgm/s400/delegates1.jpg" /></a>Delegates from all over the Pacific discussed the realities of human trafficking yesterday at the 7th Meeting of the International Network of Women Against Militarism, a conference bringing together women from several island-nations -- all of whom have felt the impact of U.S. military bases in their homelands.<br /><br />Figures released by the Department of Justice show that 14,500 to 17,000 identified human trafficking cases are transported internationally to the United States, and the global figures are estimated to be about 600,000 to 800,000, according to Annie Fukushima, trafficking programs coordinator for Standing Against Global Exploitation.<br />During yesterday's pre-conference session, Fukushima said those numbers reflect only the known cases, and the real figures are most likely much higher.<br /><br />Alexis Silverio, executive director for the Guahan Project, added that people who fall into human trafficking are usually promised education or a better life at the new destination, but once they've entered the strange environment, their only option is to stick with the only life they know-- a life of abuse.<br /><br />He said the number of people being trafficked to or from Guam is unknown because several cases are pending investigation, and those cases haven't entered the court system yet. Guam's cases surface primarily in the massage parlors, he said, and in the back rooms of restaurants and mom-and-pop shops, so it's harder to detect.<br /><br />'Wake-up call'<br /><br />One conference attendee, Sister Lou Pangelinan, said a presentation by Philippine representative Aida F. Santos-Maranan made her realize there already is a problem on Guam and that it could potentially worsen with the impending military buildup.<br />Santos-Maranan said an estimated 40,000 male laborers would be trafficked to Guam from the Philippines and Palau due to the military buildup, and there was "no doubt" the women would follow.<br /><br />"We need to give a wake-up call to our island that this is happening right in our backyard," Pangelinan said. "We can't help the whole world, but we need to face the reality that it is here."<br /><br />The conference continues through Saturday, with topics covering military violence against women and girls, the plight of mixed-race Amerasian children abandoned by U.S. military fathers, environmental contamination, cultural degradation and the distortion of local economies. <div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8zs7tVjCTfl5qr_QNb_91ACaO7nnFOxZ9S5qdT3xaAQ9cv-koCufFdlSn4XdRIzAg_-zBSmNFY6JTVPyrs-zHJ5ervfHSdoQRiXPE2DjOEbz6AgeJSYqJdjNFtHjq-zmFPAc5uIdL-7L2/s1600-h/delegates2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 278px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385937611532301602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8zs7tVjCTfl5qr_QNb_91ACaO7nnFOxZ9S5qdT3xaAQ9cv-koCufFdlSn4XdRIzAg_-zBSmNFY6JTVPyrs-zHJ5ervfHSdoQRiXPE2DjOEbz6AgeJSYqJdjNFtHjq-zmFPAc5uIdL-7L2/s400/delegates2.jpg" /></a></div>Michael Lujan Bevacquahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13075510205190074738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825876304760892459.post-82752753110422818802009-09-22T16:59:00.000-07:002009-09-22T17:00:31.265-07:00Letter of Solidarity from Okinawa<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica">Dear Members of the International Women's Network Against Militarism:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica"><o:p>The Citizens' Network for Biological Diversity in Okinawa (Okinawa BD) would like to congratulate the 7th International Meeting of the International Women's Network Against Militarism in Guam. We wish your meeting success and hope for future collaboration with your network.</o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica"><o:p>The Okinawa BD is a grassroots organization, established in July 2009 in Okinawa, Japan in anticipation of the 10th Conference of Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP10) in Nagoya in 2010. The Okinawa BD consists of environmental, peace, and human rights NGOs/NPOs and concerned citizens. The main objective of the Okinawa BD is to conserve the biological diversity of Okinawa by emphasizing the importance of the interdependence between the environment, peace, and human rights, which we have learnt from past and present experiences of Okinawa. The experiences of Okinawa resonate with the concerns expressed at the meeting. We have witnessed how the environment of Okinawa has been contaminated and degraded, how human rights have been neglected and abused, and how peace has been disturbed and undermined by the existence of the military bases in Okinawa. In all of this, women and children are put in the most vulnerable positions.</o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica"><o:p>In light of the US Military Realignment Plan, our shared concerns have become more complicated. The relocation plan of 8,000 Marines from Okinawa to Guam accompanied by an unprecedented military build-up on Guam has put the people of Guam and Okinawa in extremely difficult positions. While the people of Okinawa welcome relocation of Marines and US military bases from Okinawa we do not want the people of Guam to bear the same burden.</o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica"><o:p>The experiences of Okinawa also reverberate with the hopes raised at the meeting, however. Despite all the adversities, local groups and citizens in Okinawa have been able to withstand and sometimes overcome such adversities. And as your network clearly exemplifies, many of us in Okinawa have been empowered by collaboration with international organizations on the environmental, peace and human rights fronts. Thus, while the US Military Realignment Plan imposes a tremendous challenge for all of us, we together can take this challenge as an opportunity to make our concerns heard and to help create a truly secure natural and social environment.</o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica"><o:p>To this end, dialogue at the grassroots level has to take place and continue with “resistance, resilience, and respects for human rights." We believe, this is exactly what is taking place at the 7th International Meeting of International Women's Network Against Militarism; people who have chosen non-violent paths to secure our life and our world are sharing information, knowledge, and experiences, and are providing understanding, encouragement, and inspiration for each other.</o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica"><o:p>We would like to congratulate you on your meeting and we look forward to hearing about the accomplishments emerging from the meeting.</o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica"><o:p>Sincerely yours,</o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica"><o:p>Hideki Yoshikawa</o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0cm;margin-bottom:.0001pt;mso-pagination: none;mso-layout-grid-align:none;text-autospace:none"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;font-family:Helvetica;mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica">Secretariat<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;font-family:Helvetica; mso-bidi-font-family:Helvetica">Citizens' Network for Biological Diversity in Okinawa</span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08316665168045928361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825876304760892459.post-16234497961944735192009-09-17T17:23:00.000-07:002009-09-17T17:24:55.725-07:00Women Activists Explore a Post-Military EconomyActivists explore post-military economy <br />Friday, 18 September 2009<br />Marianas Variety Guam Reporter<br /><br />PEOPLE will have to work together if they want to sustain an economy after the military. This was emphasized during the fourth day of the 7th Meeting of the International Network of Women Against Militarism at the University of Guam in Mangilao. <br /> <br />The morning a panel focused on the topic “Beyond the Military Economy: Exploring Alternatives for Sustainability.” <br /><br />Participating were Alma Bulawan of the Buklod Center Philippines, Dr. Hannah Middleton of the Australian Anti-Base Campaign, Dr. Miyume Tanji of Curtin University of Technology in Australia, and Isabella Sumang of Palau.<br /><br />Each panelist gave a perspective of the impact the military has had on their respective regions. <br /><br />Bulawan had indicated that when there were bases in the Philippines, businesses were set up to cater to the military as well as prostitution. It appears now that with those bases closed, businesses and the prostitution still remain. <br /><br />She referred to the Subic Bay and Clark Freeport Zones, which formerly hosted the U.S. Naval Base and the Air Force Base and have each seen the creation and development of businesses.<br /><br />Despite the conversion of the old bases, Bulawan said the Philippines continues to face economic challenges.<br /><br />As for Australia, Middleton explained how millions of Australian dollars are spent on military defense and other armed forces programs. A recent poll showed that 70 percent of Australians do not want any more money spent on the military.<br /><br />She added that the Australians believe the money should go on helping the environment, improving hospitals and even to create jobs.<br /><br />“We expect one million Australians will be unemployed in 2010, money should be spent to help them find jobs,” she said.<br /><br />During the open forum, several concerns were brought up including a question on whether they felt that the threat of an invasion and war is real here in Micronesia. <br /><br />Sumang responded that it could be the case especially when there is a military presence. “You have that threat hanging over your head,” she said.<br /><br />Middleton offered another perspective saying that the threat is an excuse to keep military bases in the region.<br /><br />“It’s not real,” she pointed out.<br /><br />The women’s conference concludes today at the Carmel on the Hill Retreat Center in Malojloj or the former Carmelite Convent. <br /><br />Participants are expected to discuss Human Trafficking and Prostitution and gather together in group meetings to develop short term and long term goals.Michael Lujan Bevacquahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13075510205190074738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825876304760892459.post-84016841458071226102009-09-15T22:24:00.000-07:002009-09-15T22:26:40.922-07:00Women Against Militarism Discuss the Impact of the Military Buildup on Guam<object width="320" height="265"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6DmSTMwWgR8&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6DmSTMwWgR8&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="320" height="265"></embed></object>Michael Lujan Bevacquahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13075510205190074738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825876304760892459.post-10513058957926815452009-09-14T18:35:00.000-07:002009-09-14T18:38:37.659-07:00Women's Conference Against Militarism Held<a href="http://genuinesecurity.blogspot.com/2009/08/tentative-conference-schedule.html">Click Here to View the Conference Schedule </a><br /><br />************************************<br /><br />Women's conference against militarism held<br />By Heather Hauswirth<br />Published Sep 14, 2009<br />KUAM News<br /><br />The 7th meeting of the International Network of Women Against Militarism began today. Women from all around the region are on island to attend the weeklong event with the theme of "Resistance, Resilience, and Respect for Human Rights."<br /><br />"We are very much concerned that women are still seen as a commodity," said Philippine delegate Gorazon Requizo. As the island prepares for the impending military buildup, participants attending this week's conference say we can expect to see more human trafficking. Requizo, a native of the PI, provided insight as she grew up near the Olongapo Province that once hosted one of the largest United States military installations.<br /><br />"We are advising since there will be a military expansion now here in Guam, we must challenge the women, especially the women and people of Guam to have a very strong resistance movement to this implementation," she said.<br /><br />Concerns have been raised about the relocation of thousands of Marines from Okinawa to Guam, as there were concerns in Okinawa about the Marines behavior and sexual misconduct. Victims Advocates Reaching Out executive director Vangie Cabacar said, "It's a big concern for us, our numbers are high from sexual assault cases already, the lack of federal funding is another problem."<br /><br />VARO is just one of many organizations in Guam involved in the dialogue about how to mitigate the impact, but Speaker Judi Won Pat says a full pronged approach is needed. Asked if she was planning on taking any preemptive measures to protect them, she said, "Yes, absolutely." The speaker warned that talk of a red light district by GVB and individuals at the Chamber of Commerce are of concern to her.<br /><br />"A possible red light district, moving them out of Tumon and at that time to Harmon, but I think this is a bigger problem. We need to look at the whole picture. We need to look at our community and what it is we need to do to protect women and young girls," she said. Won Pat says she plans to create a blue ribbon committee to counter exploitation and to help create policies to ensure the safety of women and children.<br /><br />Said Won Pat, "This is going to be a policy for Guam, I know we can't legislate or mandate anything for the military, but when their men come into the community, they would have to abide by the local law." Dr. Vivian Damas, UOG professor and committee member at the conference said that while a law that defines human trafficking has been passed, there is still more to be done. "Regulation of massage parlor, reporting of violence versus women and children both on the base and off the base, if we don't do that and we don't work out the coordinated agreements, we are going to have a huge problem on this island."Michael Lujan Bevacquahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13075510205190074738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825876304760892459.post-37852359017890390782009-09-03T21:26:00.000-07:002009-09-09T05:02:30.506-07:00Conference Poster ... Check it Out!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8JwyH4bx1j7kzOYSgwT7Lp992M3mXUXm4nA8swGIsr3zW3JskTySwElk8k86j0NGWwtp7Q51-pj-Ih0pxDJIfap_J4tIPefdn5EC1rm3B_VldXXQIhspXtM5H98ypH6_axUiHgFtgDHU/s1600-h/smallposterimagechinemma.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 259px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379436716675299314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8JwyH4bx1j7kzOYSgwT7Lp992M3mXUXm4nA8swGIsr3zW3JskTySwElk8k86j0NGWwtp7Q51-pj-Ih0pxDJIfap_J4tIPefdn5EC1rm3B_VldXXQIhspXtM5H98ypH6_axUiHgFtgDHU/s400/smallposterimagechinemma.jpg" /></a><br /><div><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold" class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://docs.google.com/View?id=dctq6pnm_4fddpxrcp"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,204,0)" class="Apple-style-span">Click here to download the Conference Poster</span></span></a></span></div>Victoriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08316665168045928361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825876304760892459.post-51408000958496733842009-09-01T04:00:00.000-07:002009-09-09T06:03:26.215-07:00Websites Helping to Spread the Word<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19umbvUujMxNfS4Bf-ZV7woCHPFrgu56tx_yi-WIm8HEQG9XgLnu_mbm3yEEvOqVpmSqjHGPa_ZJ17pS5MFr5G6YU3Zud5paxdU7093Wy5GBhpVfVAnkeEbm343zCAo6EkJICp02sjkWm/s1600-h/gemenanbellows.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379435325070616578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19umbvUujMxNfS4Bf-ZV7woCHPFrgu56tx_yi-WIm8HEQG9XgLnu_mbm3yEEvOqVpmSqjHGPa_ZJ17pS5MFr5G6YU3Zud5paxdU7093Wy5GBhpVfVAnkeEbm343zCAo6EkJICp02sjkWm/s400/gemenanbellows.JPG" /></a><a href="http://apww.isiswomen.org/">Asia Pacific Women's Watch</a><br /><br /><a href="http://wvws808.blogspot.com/2009/09/be-part-of-iwnam-guam-meeting-at.html">Women's Voices, Women Speak</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.gftunion.com/">Guam Federation of Teachers</a><br /><br /><a href="http://famoksaiyan.blogspot.com/2009/08/7th-meeting-of-international-network-of.html">Famoksaiyan </a><br /><br /><a href="http://curate.tumblr.com/post/181608905/7th-meeting-of-the-international-network-of-women">Curate</a><br /><br /><a href="http://chamorro.com/">Chamorro.com</a><br /><br /><a href="http://dosomethingshowtheworld.blogspot.com/2009/08/if-you-care-come-to-this-conference.html">Apathy is Easy</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.no-bases.org/show_news/7th_international_meeting_of_the_international_women_s_network_against_militarism_september_14_19_2009_mangilao_guam">International Network for the Abolition of Foreign Militairy Bases</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.guamology.com/2009/09/chinemma-ninamaolek-yan-inarespetu-para-direchon-taotao/">Guamology</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.uog.edu/">The University of Guam</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.guamology.com/2009/09/chinemma-ninamaolek-yan-inarespetu-para-direchon-taotao/"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFpKmcztr2843U-vB9PzYrqf-xgrG_AIlFoBUICPCQXKJRY151Oit_DnbRsySrfM7zy2JkiDeDNuwW3OWw6eaCL4CKSgfgbwR078C4iXSF_V7zQnmaw_SDL6B4v2gYQQA11JD2_Csxfxrx/s1600-h/OkinawaTshirts.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 260px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 173px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379435311116966850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFpKmcztr2843U-vB9PzYrqf-xgrG_AIlFoBUICPCQXKJRY151Oit_DnbRsySrfM7zy2JkiDeDNuwW3OWw6eaCL4CKSgfgbwR078C4iXSF_V7zQnmaw_SDL6B4v2gYQQA11JD2_Csxfxrx/s400/OkinawaTshirts.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO0908/S00068.htm">Scoop NZ</a><br /><br /><a href="http://decolonizeguam.blogspot.com/2009/09/conference-will-focus-on-human-rights.html">The Marianas Variety</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.dmzhawaii.org/?p=3204">DMZ Hawai'i/ Aloha Aina'</a><br /><br /><a href="http://lovetherevolution.wordpress.com/2009/08/14/this-is-dope/">Love, The Revolution</a><br /><br /><a href="http://decolonizeguam.blogspot.com/2009/09/guam-to-host-womens-conference.html">Pacific Daily News</a><br /><br /><a href="http://decolonizeguam.blogspot.com/2009/08/international-network-of-women-against.html">Decolonize Guam </a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.genuinesecurity.org/">Women for Genuine Security</a><br /><br /><a href="http://ericanalani.blogspot.com/2009/09/back-to-guahaaan-again.html">How I Keep My Mind Ripe</a><br /><br /><a href="http://postpana.wordpress.com/">PostPana</a><br /><br /><a href="http://minagahet.blogspot.com/2009/08/acts-of-peace-resistance-resiliance-and.html">No Rest for the Awake - Minagahet Chamorro</a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVG6k5PNEbGyQU29Dv4tz3RkL7LnYtMMP3PpOKp1xtxAdvqIbBtXy0jd9OScqDoQXetN13WTws2vhiCG_Y3qQLBHMo6s3S2s-lcNt-zn3hHRR2SOxFBv95XxT-sGKkj50ofJXF2vWaKiX/s1600-h/article9.JPG"></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVG6k5PNEbGyQU29Dv4tz3RkL7LnYtMMP3PpOKp1xtxAdvqIbBtXy0jd9OScqDoQXetN13WTws2vhiCG_Y3qQLBHMo6s3S2s-lcNt-zn3hHRR2SOxFBv95XxT-sGKkj50ofJXF2vWaKiX/s1600-h/article9.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379435319754961762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVG6k5PNEbGyQU29Dv4tz3RkL7LnYtMMP3PpOKp1xtxAdvqIbBtXy0jd9OScqDoQXetN13WTws2vhiCG_Y3qQLBHMo6s3S2s-lcNt-zn3hHRR2SOxFBv95XxT-sGKkj50ofJXF2vWaKiX/s400/article9.JPG" /></a>Michael Lujan Bevacquahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13075510205190074738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825876304760892459.post-17149731210077073282009-08-28T00:04:00.000-07:002009-09-03T21:40:22.389-07:00Conference Registration<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcda5l3fuWfY-0rrafWym6zeUZZxjHmA3844dSh9MPgCaf95AeitP1XNh6_ZWT6vjj1OavI9ujOWS7cbagzUtrlyJNYX0jRM_Ua_j6mHvfq1NocVAG319zYOgu0P8VJwHhuAOFgz1ICSA/s1600-h/conferece+artsml.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 220px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcda5l3fuWfY-0rrafWym6zeUZZxjHmA3844dSh9MPgCaf95AeitP1XNh6_ZWT6vjj1OavI9ujOWS7cbagzUtrlyJNYX0jRM_Ua_j6mHvfq1NocVAG319zYOgu0P8VJwHhuAOFgz1ICSA/s320/conferece+artsml.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377070641396332418" /></a><br />If you'd like to attend the conference and participate in its proceedings, please download and complete the form in this packet:<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://docs.google.com/View?id=dctq6pnm_1cnj68hfj"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 204, 0);">Conference Registration Packet</span></span></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;">.</span><br /><br />The fee for attending the conference is $10 each day you attend. Lunch is included in this fee.<br /><br />Completed forms can be faxed to Mrs. Ruth Barnes at 735-2255, or dropped off at the University of Guam's HSS Room 107A between the hours of 1-5 pm. Or they can be mailed to the University of Guam, Division of Social Work/CNAS, UOG Station, Humanities and Social Sciences Building, Mangilao, GUAM 96932. You can also submit registration electronically to Dr. LisaLinda Natividad at <a href="mailto:lisanati@yahoo.com">lisanati@yahoo.com</a>.<br /><div></div><div>If you have any questions, please call 671-735-2962, or email <a href="mailto:lisanati@yahoo.com">lisanati@yahoo.com</a> </div>Michael Lujan Bevacquahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13075510205190074738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825876304760892459.post-56083217771586851112009-08-27T00:01:00.000-07:002009-09-13T22:22:23.568-07:00Tentative Conference Schedule<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-family:Arial;" class="Apple-style-span" ></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;">7<sup>th</sup> MEETING OF THE INTERNATIONAL NETWORK OF WOMEN AGAINST MILITARISM<?xml:namespace prefix = o /><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><!--StartFragment--></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN-RIGHT: 4.5pt" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><span style="font-size:0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">CHinemma’, Nina’maolek, yan Inarespetu para Direchon Taotao<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:16;"><b><span style="font-size:0;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:13;"><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic" class="Apple-style-span"></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN-RIGHT: 4.5pt" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><span style="font-size:+0;"><b><span style="font-size:+0;"><span style="FONT-STYLE: italic" class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">RESISTANCE, RESILIENCE, AND RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS</span></span></span></b> </span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; MARGIN-RIGHT: 4.5pt" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><!--StartFragment--></p><p style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 4.5pt" class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11;">Location:<span style="font-size:+0;"> </span>University of Guam (Mangilao) & Carmel on the Hill Retreat Center (Malojloj), Guåhan<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11;">Dates:<span style="font-size:+0;"> </span>September 14-19, 2009<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:16;"><i><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11;"></span></i></span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:16;"><i><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11;">Sponsoring Organizations</span></i><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:11;">:Conscious Living; Famoksaiyan; Fuetsan Famalao’an; Guåhan Coalition for Peace and Justice; Guåhan Indigenous Collective; GUAHAN Project; Global Fund for Women; GFT Local Union; Office of Minority Health Resource Center; Sage Project, Incorporated; Women and Gender Studies Program, University of Guam<span style="font-size:+0;"> </span></span></span></span></b></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: left" class="MsoNormal" align="center"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-family:Arial;" class="Apple-style-span" ></span></p><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; FONT-VARIANT: normal; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN: 0px; FONT-WEIGHT: normalfont-family:Arial;" ><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">CONFERENCE AGENDA</span></b></p><p style="MARGIN: 0px; MIN-HEIGHT: 14px; FONT: 12px Arial; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal"><span style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline"><b></b></span><br /></p><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,102,0)" class="Apple-style-span">September 14 (Monday) Pre-Conference Session<br />*Registration Required*</span><br />Location : Conference Room, Catholic Social Services<br /><br />8:30am – 4:30pm<br />“Human Trafficking 101: Identifying Victims, Examining Policy Frameworks, and Building a Transnational Movement”<br />This workshop will present a general discussion of human trafficking, explore diasporic trends from Asia to other parts of the world, examine policy frameworks to effectively combat human trafficking, and identify steps towards building a transnational movement in the Asia-Pacific region.<br />Facilitated by: SAGE, Inc. [San Francisco, California]<br />Facilitators: Annie Fukushima [California], Aida Santos-Maranan [Philippines], and a Representative from South Korea<br /><br /><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,102,0)" class="Apple-style-span">September 15 (Tuesday) Public Forum - Free Event<br />*No registration required*</span><br />Location : University of Guam, CLASS Lecture Hall<br /><br />6:30pm – 8:30pm<br />“International Strategies of Resistance Promoting Human Rights”<br />Moderator: Jamela Santos<br />Presenters:<br />Suzuyo Takazato [Okinawa]<br />Representative [South Korea]<br />Carmen Valencia [Vieques, Puerto Rico]<br />Terry Keko’olani : DMZ Hawai'i / Aloha 'Aina [Hawai'i]<br />Ana Maria Nemenzo [Philippines]<br /><br /><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,102,0)" class="Apple-style-span">SEPTEMBER 17, 2009 (Thursday) COMMUNITY CONFERENCE<br />*Registration Required Unless Stated Otherwise*</span><br />Location: Leon Guerrero Building Lecture Hall, University of Guam<br /><br />8:30am – 8:40am<br />Welcoming Remarks: Dr. LisaLinda Natividad : Guahan Coalition for Peace and Justice<br /><br />8:40am – 9:15am<br />“Rethinking Peace and Security: Genuine Security<br />as Rooted in the United Nation’s Concept of Human Security”<br />Speaker: Dr. Gwyn Kirk : Women for Genuine Security [San Francisco, California]<br /><br />9:15am – 11:45pm<br />Panel Presentation:<br />“Beyond the Military Economy: Exploring Alternatives for Sustainability”<br />Moderator: Sabina Perez<br />Presenters:<br />Alma Bulawan [Buklod, Philippines]<br />Dr. Hannah Middleton : Australian Anti-Bases Campaign [Sydney, Australia]<br />Dr. Miyumi Tanji : Curtin University of Technology [Perth, Australia]<br />Isabella Sumang [Republic of Belau]<br /><br />11:45am – 12:45pm<br />LUNCH<br /><br />12:45pm – 2:45pm<br />Panel Presentation:<br />“Environmental Contamination and Toxicity:<br />Reclaiming Our Physical Environments Through Clean-Up, Health and Healing Practices”<br />Moderator: Victoria-Lola Leon Guerrero<br />Presenters:<br />You Kyoung Ko [South Korea]<br />Abacca Anjain-Maddison [Republic of the Marshall Islands]<br />Maria Reinat [Puerto Rico]<br />Dolly Yanan : Metro Subic Network [Philippines]<br /><br />2:45pm – 3:00pm<br />BREAK<br /><br />3:00pm – 4:30pm<br />Panel Presentation:<br />“Comparative Strategies to Promote Security for Women and Children”<br />Moderator: Nicole Santos<br />Presenters:<br />Suzuyo Takazato [Okinawa]<br />Representative : Fuetsan Famalao'an [Guåhan]<br />Corazon Lotlot Requirzo : Kaisa Ka [Philippines]<br /><br />5:00pm Peace Walk (Free Event)<br />Location: Chief Kepuha Park, Hagåtña<br />Facilitator: Lisa Baza : Conscious Living [Guåhan]<br /><br /><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,102,0)" class="Apple-style-span">SEPTEMBER 18, 2009 (Friday) COMMUNITY CONFERENCE<br />*Registration Required Unless Stated Otherwise *</span><br />Location: Carmel on the Hill Retreat Center, Malojloj<br />Focus: “Where do we go from here?”<br /><br />8:00am – 8:30am<br />Registration and Continental Breakfast<br />Country Representatives’ breakfast meeting<br /><br />8:30am – 9:00am<br />Welcoming Remarks and Review of day’s tasks<br /><br />9:00am – 11:00am Panel Presentation (Free Event)<br />Location: Carmel on the Hill Retreat Center<br />“Human Trafficking and Prostitution: Towards a Woman-Centered Policy Framework”<br />Moderator: Dr. Vivian Dames<br />Presenters:<br />Annie Fukushima : University of California at Berkeley [United States]<br />Bok Nim Yu : Director, Dasi Hamkke Center [South Korea]<br />Aida Santos : WeDpro, Inc. [Philippines]<br />Lauri Ogumoro, Karidat Esperanza House [Commonwealth of the North Mariana Islands]<br />Sue Gilbey [Adelaide, Australia]<br /><br />11:00am – 12:00pm<br />Regional/Country working group meetings to develop specific short-term and long-term goals<br /><br />12:00pm – 1:30pm<br />LUNCH<br /><br />1:30pm – 4:30pm<br />Connecting Regional/Country working group short-term and long-term goals; Setting national and international initiatives. Discussion of future actions.<br /><br />4:30pm – 5:00pm<br />Conference Wrap Up & announcement of Art Celebration<br /><br /><span style="COLOR: rgb(255,102,0)" class="Apple-style-span">6:30pm – 10:00pm Art Celebration (Free Event)</span><br />“Fuetsan I Lina’la’ : Famalao’an I Tano’ // Strength of Life : Women of the Land”<br />Women’s Exhibit, Music and Poetry, Sale of international women-made goods, film screening of Along the Fenceline: Women’s Voices on Peace and Security, Demilitarizing Fashion Show.</span><br /><p></p><!--EndFragment-->Michael Lujan Bevacquahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13075510205190074738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825876304760892459.post-4080715139318888352009-08-26T15:09:00.000-07:002009-08-26T15:19:00.920-07:00WGS Fundraiser<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbZZBCMqkK_etHfbwVx8h3cGh5832JwWZzJFa9xnjgTzuZaf6oncsrfPyvh_y6Ljs_FbhHotkcyxBJkn7nGX9jATpTrklzICvfa4l4s1udvzmWUZGBm5bXj3fls66tDoJ0RPGXLUUi_vL/s1600-h/WGSfundraiserflyer.png"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374399338604097554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbZZBCMqkK_etHfbwVx8h3cGh5832JwWZzJFa9xnjgTzuZaf6oncsrfPyvh_y6Ljs_FbhHotkcyxBJkn7nGX9jATpTrklzICvfa4l4s1udvzmWUZGBm5bXj3fls66tDoJ0RPGXLUUi_vL/s400/WGSfundraiserflyer.png" /></a> <span style="font-size:130%;">Please come out to support a 6-women delegation to Guam for the 7TH MEETING OF THE INTERNATIONAL NETWORK OF WOMEN AGAINST MILITARISM.<br /><br />The meeting is entitled "Resistance, Resilience, and Respect for Human Rights". More info about the meeting is included below.</span><br /><br /><br />Women's Resistance, Resilience and Respect for Human Rights<br />Fundraiser House Party<br />1607 Sonoma Ave. Albany (home of Debbie Lee and family)<br />Sunday August 30th 2-5pm. Short program at 3pm<br /><br />Events include:<br /><br />*Deserts by Jonas Low, Pastry Chef at Gary Danko<br /><br />*Lindsey Kerr trio<br />*Preview clips of WGS film, "Along the Fenceline: Women's Voices for Peace and Security" by Lina Hoshino<br />*Silent auction<br />*Activities for children<br /><br />Driving directions:<br /><br />From Highway 80, take Buchanan Street/Albany exit. Turn right and continue east on Buchanan/Marin Street. Turn right on Peralta. Left on Sonoma. Enter through pathway to the backyard garden.<br /><br />Need a ride from North Berkeley BART? Call: 415 312-5583<br /><br />Tax-deductible donations should be made payable to the Agape Foundation and earmarked “WGS.” For online donations, visit our website. We can also accept donations payable to WGS. Please mail checks to WGS, 965 62nd Street, Oakland CA 94608<br /><br />About Women for Genuine Security: We envision a world of genuine security based on justice, respect for others across national boundaries, and economic planning based on local people’s needs. Our shared mission is to build and sustain a network of women to promote, model, and protect genuine security in the face of militarism. We are part of the International Women's Network for Peace. The International Women's Network started in 1997 and links women activists, policy-makers, teachers and students from Guam, Hawai'i, Korea, Okinawa, mainland Japan, the Philippines, Puerto Rico,and the United States to share information and strategize about the negative effects of military operations in all our countries.<br /><br />For more information, visit: <a href="http://www.genuinesecurity.org/">http://www.genuinesecurity.org/</a>Michael Lujan Bevacquahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13075510205190074738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825876304760892459.post-33826119901153676262009-08-11T17:01:00.000-07:002009-08-11T17:04:23.851-07:00Meeting Press Release7TH MEETING OF THE INTERNATIONAL NETWORK OF WOMEN AGAINST MILITARISM<br /><br />Resistance, Resilience, and Respect for Human Rights<br />CHinemma’, Nina’maolek, yan Inarespetu para Direchon Taotao<br /><br />Location: University of Guam, Mangilao, Guåhan<br />Dates: September 14-19, 2009<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZatQ5JarSTx9tgt0LblsTxgA_TtbktqDhMbs0ozn62xge4WmpN0slXtA_UpfCX7S6Zwe3lr4zQV14yDiBB0ZFchXwdgP0hvcF9dkFfKdtNThXaZHJ3Ll2kbgndr1PfPxLkVhMWHkhQ6l/s1600-h/WGSpostcard_large.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 159px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368861268003169010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZatQ5JarSTx9tgt0LblsTxgA_TtbktqDhMbs0ozn62xge4WmpN0slXtA_UpfCX7S6Zwe3lr4zQV14yDiBB0ZFchXwdgP0hvcF9dkFfKdtNThXaZHJ3Ll2kbgndr1PfPxLkVhMWHkhQ6l/s400/WGSpostcard_large.jpg" /></a>Women across the globe have endured tremendous struggles to protect their families and survive during times of war and unrest. It is from these struggles that women have gained the strength to fight for peace. This September, they will gather on the island of Guam for the 7th Meeting of the International Network of Women Against Militarism themed, “Resistance, Resilience and Respect for Human Rights”.<br /><br />The five-day conference will bring together women from Japan, Okinawa, South Korea, Hawaii, Philippines, Australia, Republic of Belau, Marshall Islands, Guam, United States, Puerto Rico and Saipan – all of whom have felt the tremendous impacts of US military bases in their homelands.<br /><br />The International Network of Women Against Militarism has been meeting since 1997 to share information and strategize about the negative effects of US military operations. These effects include military violence against women and girls, the plight of mixed-race Amerasian children abandoned by US military fathers, environmental contamination, cultural degradation and the distortion of local economies. They focus on how military institutions, values, policies and operations impact communities, especially women.<br /><br />The United States has had a strong military presence on Guam for more than a century, and occupies nearly one-third of the island. Guam, which has been dubbed “the tip of the spear” by the US Department of Defense, is in the midst of an unprecedented military build-up as the US plans to move 17,000 Marines and their dependents from Okinawa to the island. The conference comes at a critical time in Guam’s history, and aims to bring international attention to the concerns being raised about the proposed build-up.<br /><br />The conference will feature workshops and public forums on human trafficking and prostitution; political arrangements with the United States; rethinking peace and security; exploring alternatives for economic sustainability; environmental contamination and toxicity; and much more.<br /><br />There will also be a historical tour of the island; a community vigil to honor the past and heal for the future; a public art event featuring local and international artists; and many opportunities to network and establish goals for the future.<br /><br />For more information please contact: Dr. LisaLinda Natividad at lisanati@yahoo.com or (671) 735-2962.<br /><br /><em>Sponsoring Organizations: Conscious Living; Famoksaiyan; Fuetsan Famalao’an; Guåhan Coalition for Peace and Justice; Guåhan Indigenous Collective; GUAHAN Project; Global Fund for Women; Office of Minority Health Resource Center; Sage Project, Incorporated; Women and Gender Studies Program, University of Guam.</em>Michael Lujan Bevacquahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13075510205190074738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8825876304760892459.post-73699019496318776742009-08-11T16:59:00.000-07:002009-08-11T17:00:24.640-07:00Tes Ha' EsteMichael Lujan Bevacquahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13075510205190074738noreply@blogger.com1