International Green Network Newsletter #23
March 28, 2003
CONTENTS:
1. CHECK THE IGN LISTSERV FOR ANTI-WAR POSTINGS
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ignj/
2. FORTY THOUSAND TAKE TO TOKYO STREETS TO SAY ‘NO’ TO WAR
3. ANTI-WAR PROTEST IN JAPAN
4. ANTI-WAR LEAFLET AVAILABLE
5. JOIN JAPAN-U.S. CITIZENS’ JOINT APPEAL FOR PEACE IN IRAQ
6. E-MAIL ANTI-WAR MESSAGE TO MAINSTREAM MEDIA
7. BOYCOTT BRAND AMERICA
8. TORN CLOTH SYMBOL FOR ECONOMIC ACTION AGAINST WAR – JOIN US!
9. IT’S THE SMALLEST ACT
10. ENVIROS AGAINST WAR
11. BUDDHIST REFLECTIONS ON THE NEW HOLY WAR
12. THE MACHINERY OF SLEEP TURNS ITS FIRST WHEEL
13. IGN ECOSTUDY GROUP MEETS FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 2003
14. SYMPOSIUM ON “THE EQUITY DIMENSION IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION”
15. JAMBO NEEDS VOLUNTEERS FOR EARTH DAY
16. MT. KONPIRA FESTIVAL APRIL 29
17. GENETIC ENGINEERING: A TECHNOLOGY OF CORPORATE CONTROL
18. NEWS FROM TOKYO ENGLISH LIFE LINE (T.E.L.L.)
19. BOOKS FOR BURMA
20. FRIENDS OF THE EARTH HIKES IN APRIL
21. APRIL NEWS AND SPECIALS FROM TENGU
22. JOURNAL OF ENGAGED PEDAGOGY NO. 2
23. KYOTO JOURNAL #53 (JUST DEEDS)
24. INFO ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL GREEN NETWORK
25. ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL GREEN NETWORK ECOSTUDY GROUP (omitted from
printed version)
1. CHECK THE IGN LISTSERV FOR ANTI-WAR POSTINGS (from Richard Evanoff, IGN
Coordinator)
Tons of anti-war material is still coming into the International
Green Network. I’ve been posting everything that comes in on the IGN
listserv, including articles and info about petition campaigns, boycotts,
demos, and the like. If the material is particularly urgent and
time-sensitive (such as notices for demos) I’ve been sending postings
directly to people on the IGN mailing list (instead of using the listserv).
To sign up for the IGN listserv, see the section below entitled
“Info About the International Green Network.” Please feel free to post
information on the IGN listserv (all information is welcome, not only
anti-war info!). It’s better if you can post info directly on the listserv
rather than send the info to me (it saves me oodles of time!), but I’ll
nonetheless continue to post everything that is sent me. For the
time-being I will also send the U.S. Greens Abroad Newsletter, which
includes official anti-war press releases by Green parties in the U.S. and
the U.K., to everyone on the IGN mailing list.
Here is my personal list of things we can do to help the anti-war
effort (I should emphasize that these are my personal opinions and not an
official pronouncement on the part of the IGN): (1) send us info,
articles, and analysis that can’t be found in the mainstream media — we
need to get alternative perspectives on the war out to people; (2) boycott
U.K./U.S.-made goods — don’t buy anything made in the U.K. or U.S.A. until
the war ends; (3) participate in demos — we need to show Bush/Blair that
world opinion (including the opinion of many Americans and British!) is
against this war; and (4) sign petitions and join in other campaigns
intended to stop this war; and (5) given that global dominance on the part
of the political and economic elite is beginning to be questioned and
opposed by a majority of the world’s population, let’s continue our efforts
to build a mass grassroots international movement that can effectively
challenge the powers-that-be and provide an ecologically sustainable,
socially just, and peaceful alternative. Another world is indeed possible!
2. FORTY THOUSAND TAKE TO TOKYO STREETS TO SAY ‘NO’ TO WAR (from Mikiko
Fukuda, Greenpace Japan)
First casualties of war delivered to Australian Prime Minister in
New Zealand.
TOKYO/AUCKLAND, March 8, 2003: Today, more than 40,000 people took
to the streets of Japan to join the global protests against the impending
US-led war against Iraq. Citizens and students gathered at Hibiya Park,
Tokyo, and paraded through the city centre as part of the World Peace Now
rally, organized by 47 non-government organisations, including Greenpeace.
“We’re here today to join the millions of global citizens who are
saying ‘no’ to war. We’re calling on all the world’s governments, including
Prime Minister Koizumi and Foreign Affairs Minister Kawaguchi, to listen to
the voice of the people, to stand by democracy and stop supporting the Bush
Administration’s march to war,” said Mikiko Fukuda, campaign director of
Greenpeace in Japan.
80% of Japanese people are opposed to a war against Iraq (1) and
more than 10 million people around the world have voiced their opposition
to war over the past few weeks. Even so, only three days ago, Prime
Minister Junichi Koizumi dismissed public opinion as being “not always
right” and he continues to support U.S. President Bush’s intention to wage
war.
Many of the protestors today carried placards made from adverts
placed in one of Japan’s leading newspapers by Greenpeace. During the
protests, the crowds vowed to send letters to Koizumi and Kawaguchi calling
on them to stop supporting the Bush’s call for war.
“Since we advertised the rally on 3 March, Greenpeace has been
overwhelmed by thousands of responses from people wanting to join us in
speaking out against this war and today, more than 1,000 people showed
their support by bringing their own placards,” added Fukuda.
“This level of public protest has not been seen in Japan since
Chelnoviri’s time in 1986. Decades of erosion of civil rights in this
country have made many people feel apathetic about public demonstrations.
The turn out today shows how strongly people oppose this war. It is a
landmark in Japanese history,” she concluded.
Earlier today in New Zealand, Greenpeace delivered the first
casualties of war, “innocent people”, “public opinion” and “international
law”, in body bags to the Australian Prime Minister, John Howard, who is
currently in Auckland to officially open the Australian Consulate.
“In backing the U.S. push for war, Howard is dismissing public
opposition to war just as Koizumi is,” said Greenpeace campaigner, Robbie
Kelman. “They and all other governments of the world should be working
within the UN to ensure Iraq is disarmed peacefully through the weapons
inspection process,” said Kelman.
Note: (1) Opinion poll conducted by ANN, February 22nd and 23rd,
2003.
Greenpeace Japan’s action kit site:
3. ANTI-WAR PROTEST IN JAPAN (from Richard Wilcox)
In a survey by the Mainichi Shimbun newspaper 84 per cent of
respondents were against an attack on Iraq.
Antiwar protest in Japan 18.01PM GMT, 8 Mar 2003:
Thousands of antiwar protesters have marched in Tokyo as the
Japanese government gave its backing to the latest deadline for Iraq to
disarm or face war.
“Our nation supports the proposed resolution as it is the final
effort by the international community to put pressure on Iraq to disarm on
its own,” Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi said in a statement.
The demonstrators gathered in Japan’s capital to oppose any war
against Iraq and to criticise the government’s support for Washington.
“The Japanese government always supports the US But Japanese
citizens are different from the government. I want to emphasise that to the
world,” said Yasuyuki Aizawa, a 31-year-old jewellery shop owner who took
part in the demonstration.
Japan has so far avoided voicing clear support for the United
States over the Iraqi crisis, but it has been lobbying for a new UN
resolution which the US is also seeking.
In a survey by the Mainichi Shimbun newspaper last week, 84 per
cent of respondents were against an attack on Iraq, up slightly from 80
percent in January.
The protesters, many carrying placards with messages such as, “War
is his answer, not mine” alongside a picture of US President George W.
Bush, also urged Japanese leaders to listen to their views.
“Over 80 percent of the people are against war. But (Japanese Prime
Minister Junichiro Koizumi) says there is no reason that the people are
right. I don’t think so. Koizumi should hear what the people are saying,”
said Naoko Tomita, a therapist.
Police said 8,500 people participated in the rally and march
through Tokyo’s Ginza shopping district. Organisers put the figure at
15,000.
Japan is expected to support any US-led attack on Iraq, given its
security alliance with Washington, especially at a time when tensions are
increasing over North Korea’s suspected nuclear weapons programme.
4. ANTI-WAR LEAFLET AVAILABLE (from Chris Hunt)
I created a leaflet. In case it’s of any use it can be downloaded
in PDF format from the following link. It’s in English and Japanese. I
printed the leaflet out as two to a B5 page though this original takes up a
whole B5 page. It’s around 800 Kb, double sided with graphics. LINK:
I’ve (also) created some endwar pages. These are only in English at
the moment though I hope Japanese will follow soon. Leaflets are available
in both English and Japanese. Please have a look at The Torn Cloth Page.
I’d like to see this idea taken up around the World. It’s very much work in
progress and I’d appreciate comments and feedback. For example should the
name be The Torn Cloth or Rags for Peace. I think a symbol for ending war
is extremely important. We really can change the World system once people
realise that the power rests with them. LINK:
TEXT IN ENGLISH (Japanese is slightly different due to translation issues)
DIY Peace Kit!
All around the World people are saying no to war, and yes to peace.
The leaders are not listening. It is time to walk away. D I Y democracy
is you. Democracy is me. Democracy is us. It’s time to stop believing in
leaders and start believing in ourselves. The best time to be is now. The
best time to act is now. Act Now!
Take Action!
1. Think, think, think! Question everything, even this leaflet.
2. Be peaceful in your heart, be peaceful in your words be peaceful
in your deeds.
3. If you find yourself without peace, stop and become yourself again.
4. Be local, buy local, participate in local happenings, make local
happenings happen.
5. Boycott companies that profit from war.
6. Boycott US and British brands and brands from countries that
push for war.
7. Talk to your friends – let them know what you are doing.
8. Remember you don’t need representatives – do it yourself!
9. Be
10. Keep being
For the world you want to live in. For the World you can live in. For the
world you are living in.
5. JOIN JAPAN U.S. CITIZENS’ JOINT APPEAL FOR PEACE IN IRAQ (forwarded by
Terumi Terao)
Dear Japanese and U.S. citizens,
A petition is launched to appeal the peaceful resolution of the
Iraq crisis for Japanese and U.S. citizens. Please visit
petition. You will find Japanese and English versions there to sign the
petition.
Peace, TERAO@Tajimi
JAPAN-U.S. CITIZENS’ JOINT APPEAL FOR THE PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF THE IRAQ
CRISIS
In today’s world, where international conflicts and economic trends
directly affect our individual lives, we believe thatthe foreign policy of
nations should reflect the wishes of the majority of the world’s citizens,
and not simply be decided by a closed circle of politicians.
The U.N. Monitoring, Verification and Inspections Commission
(UNMOVIC) has achieved concrete results in making Iraq give up its
al-Samoud missiles. We believe that it is possible to solve the problems
related to banned Iraqi arms by continuing and enforcing U.N. inspections.
The use of force, in any form, will not only cause the deaths of innocent
Iraqi civilians, but also place a huge burden on the U.S. and Japanese
economies, and expose U.S. and Japanese citizens to the danger of further
terrorism.
We have been urging U.S. and Japanese municipalities to adopt
resolutions and/or statements which call for the peaceful resolution of the
Iraq crisis. As of March 6, 130 U.S. municipalities and 150 Japanese
municipalities had adopted such resolutions, and the number continues to
grow.
We call on the governments of the United States and Japan to:
– refrain from the use of force and respect the independent
inspections being carried out by UNMOVIC;
– abide by and respect international law and make every effort to
resolve the current crisis peacefully, in cooperation with the
international community.
6. E-MAIL ANTI-WAR MESSAGE TO MAINSTREAM MEDIA (from Richard Wilcox)
Dear IGN members, This a call to people to send email messages to
the major media in order to protest the war in Iraq.
While I will grant you this may not be a brilliant strategy, given
that the mainstream “news” media (see: Noam Chomsky, Propaganda and the
Public Mind, South End Press) is for all intents and purposes a vast
flowing stream of nitrogen rich detritus, some people may find it a waste
of time to bother talking to Peter Jennings via email.
At any rate, given the desperate situation and the fact that the
war is not proceeding as planned, there may be a slight window of
opportunity for peace activists to push the blatantly pro-war corporate
media (the same media companies who profit from dropping bombs, eg., GE
makes bombs, GE owns Tom Brokaw’s hairpiece) in a more skeptical direction.
Most Americans and British are probably very skeptical of the war so any
possibility for making the cracks in the facade grow bigger should be acted
upon. (I am at a loss of how one can “support the troops” while being
“against the war”, since the troops are the ones physically carrying out
the war).
Some of the TV news stations to send antiwar messages to that come
to mind:
NBS, MSNBS, ABC, CBS, CNN, FOX, BBC. (All one usually needs to do
is visit those websites and it is possible to find a variety of email
addresses.)
There may be more, I don’t know. I don’t watch any of these either
but millions of people do who don’t read newspapers or the internet. Maybe
this is a waste of time but if I am doing this thinking that a few others
are as well, it makes me feel better in these grim circumstances as WWIII
proceeds….
Everyone is going to have different aspects of the topic that they
may wish to stress. I have been pushing the depleted uranium munitions
issue as the media never mentions that while the US military are concerned
to secure civilian lives, they are apparently unaware of the dangers of DU
shell casings which release radioactive particles into the air when they
explode. The effects of DU weaponry on Iraq in Gulf War I are amply
documented as causing alarming cancer rates and unspeakably hideous birth
defects among new borns. DU was since used in Kosovo and Afganistan by the
US military (probably the British too, I don’t recall). The story broke out
for the first time after the war in Kosovo when European soldiers (such as
Italians as I recall) came down with cancer due to DU exposure. The effects
of DU munitions are amply documented by the US military itself (previously,
although now they deny their own findings); independent scientists, medical
doctors and photojournalists.
By the way, here is an excellent letter writing service that US
citizens can take advantage of, I highly recommend it: Jim Harris’
Progressive Secretary
And below are some other websites of possible interest regarding
war, or this war, or permanent war, or war is hell…etc. Good luck and
thank you! Thanks, Rw
ALTERNATIVE MEDIA / SOURCES OF INFORMATION
– Centre for Research on Globalisation.
Intelligence on the New World Order
– Common Dreams.
for daily news updates from the US, check it every morning with your bagel
and coffee…
– CounterPunch.
political newsletter, period.
– Cursor.
– Media Channel.
source for alternative news.
– The Petition Site.
action on a variety of important issues online!
– The Progressive Review.
Smith, Washington’s No.1 reporter: banned from the Washington Post for
tellling the truth! Get the amazing free e-newsletter…
– ZNET.
Magazine
including Noam Chomsky, Barbara Ehrenreich and Edward Said.
– Common Courage Press.
Books for an Informed Democracy.
– Mary Knoll Productions: Videos, Books and Magazines.
– DOE Watch.
Exploration of Nuclear Issues.
– Public Interest Research Groups (PIRG).
State PIRGs work together nationally to share ideas and resources and
cooperate on regional and national issues [regarding the environment].
– Stop Cassini.
world’s most knowledgable and indefatigable critic of all things nuclear,
Russell D. Hoffman.
– The Ecologist.
environmental magazine in the entire world.
– PR Watch.
on the PR/Public Affairs Industry.
– Get Your War.
very strange website: but without question the most outrageously hilarious
political satire on the entire internet. Parental guidance advised. The
cartoon can also be accessed at
ANTIWAR WEBSITES:
– American Friends Service Committee (AFSC).
– AntiWar.com.
the world daily press coverage on the topic of war.
– Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.
– Center for Defense Information.
nation’s foremost independent military research organization.
– Downwinders.
Welcome. America, We’re All Downwinders Now!
– Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR).
The USA’s oldest pacifist group.
– Institute for War and Peace Reporting.
based news source covering conflict around the world.
– National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee.
counseling, and local contacts for those interested in refusing to pay for
war.
– Peace Action.
based lobbying group.
– School of the Americas Watch.
Army School of Americas (SOA), based in Fort Benning, Georgia, trains Latin
American soldiers in combat, counter-insurgency, and counter-narcotics.
Graduates of SOA are responsible for some of the worst human rights abuses
in Latin America.
– The Council for a Livable World.
for Arms Control & Non-Proliferation and Peace.
– The Sunshine Project.
Research and facts about biological weapons and biotechnology.
– Voices In The Wilderness.
Challenging Iraq sanctions: delivering donated food, medical, and public
health supplies to Iraqis.
– Waging Peace.org.
How dare they!
– warREPORTS.com.
depth reportage on war.
– War Resisters League.
that all war is a crime against humanity. We therefore are determined not
to support any kind of war, international or civil, and to strive
nonviolently for the removal of all causes of war.
– Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom.
– The Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space.
7. BOYCOTT BRAND AMERICA (from Greentalk)
America’s warriors have dismissed peace marches as “irrelevant.”
It’s time to build a second mass action against the war — the Boycott
Brand America Pledge:
Because I am one of the millions of people against the war;
And because America has made it clear that it won’t listen to world
opinion;
And because the symbols of America are its corporations and their
brands;
I hereby pledge to boycott Brand America, from the moment the war
begins and to the best of my ability until the empire learns to listen.
Sign the Pledge:
8. TORN CLOTH SYMBOL FOR ECONOMIC ACTION AGAINST WAR – JOIN US! (from Chris
Hunt)
Tomorrow (March 23) a group of us are gathering outside Niigata
Station (Bandai Side)again at 5pm to distribute leaflets suggesting that
people take economic action for peace and against the war. We will also be
offering torn cloth ‘ribbons’ for any who want them. Spread the word –
show you are taking economic action for peace, take up and wear a torn
cloth! This is very simple – please join in.
There are leaflets for download (PFD format). Left click the links
to open, right click to save onto your own computer. Leaflet in English:
Here is the text in English. If anyone can think of any
improvements please let me know – constructive criticism welcome.
WEAR THE TORN CLOTH TO HEAL A TORN WORLD
The United States and Britain have scorned the people of the world.
President Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair have been cajoling,
threatening and demanding war. They have been acting like spoiled children
screaming “I want my war”. The war on Iraq has trampled over international
law. The war on terror is in reality a war on peace.
Let us give them their war. Let us give them more than they
bargained for. Let the people rise up and make peace. Let’s change the way
the world works.
Take Economic Action For Peace! Money makes their World go around.
Let us use our economic power to change the hearts and minds of these men.
1. Since the belief that time is money is strong, spend a little
time every day talking about peace. Spread the word! Spread this action.
2. Since the United States and Britain are using war as a tool,
think twice before buying products and services from the USA and UK. Can
you spend your money in a better way?
3. Show you are taking this action by wearing a piece of torn
cloth. Demonstrate your commitment to peace.
No-one need tell you what action to take. Find your own level. Some
people may opt for totally cutting out spending money on the countries of
death. Others may wish to target big companies. Find your own way but do
something today. Take up and wear the torn cloth. We will bring peace to
the World!
For the world you want to live in. For the world you can live in.
For the world you are living in
9. IT’S THE SMALLEST ACT (forwarded by Jennifer Sauer)
Dear friend, Please join me in taking a simple action for peace.
Together with thousands of folks around the world, I’m putting a light in
my window. If enough of us do the same, we can send a strong message of
continued opposition to war and continued hope for peace. It could be a
Christmas string or candle, a light bulb, or a lantern. It’s an easy way
to keep the light of reason and hope burning, to let others know that they
are not alone, and to show the way home to the young men and women who are
on their way to Iraq.
MoveOn’s keeping a count of the people who are joining in this
simple act, from places all over the globe. Please sign up now at:
10. ENVIROS AGAINST WAR (forwarded by Mitchel Cohen from Peter Drekmeier)
Dear Friends, A U.S. attack on Iraq would not only cause an
estimated 500,000 Iraqi casualties (according to the U.N.), it also would
have devastating environmental impacts. I encourage you to check out the
new Environmentalists Against War website to learn more about the issues
and what you can do:
press release about the site. Please help spread the word by forwarding
this message to others. – Peter
ENVIRONMENTALISTS OPPOSE IRAQ WAR: COALITION LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Environmentalists Against War, a coalition of
environmental organizations opposed to a U.S. attack on Iraq, has just
launched a new website to raise awareness of the ecological costs of a
second Gulf War. The site
dozens of articles and reports, links to campaigns and organizations, and
action tools for the public.
“The first Gulf War was the biggest environmental disaster in
recent history,” said Gar Smith, former editor of Earth Island Journal and
a spokesperson for Environmentalists Against War. “Unfortunately, with
advances in military technology, a new Gulf War has the potential to be
even worse.”
Such a thought does not rest well, considering these facts about
the 1991 Gulf War:
– More than 60 million gallons of crude oil – 6 times what the
Exxon Valdez spilled off the shores of Alaska – were released into the
environment, tarnishing 1,500 miles of coast and scarring the desert with
246 “lakes” of congealed oil.
– More than 700 oil wells burned out of control for nine months,
producing toxic clouds that blocked the sun and spread for thousands of
miles.
– U.S. forces fired nearly a million rounds of depleted uranium
(DU) bullets and shells, leaving 300 tons of DU scattered across Kuwait
and southern Iraq.
– Approximately 800,000 Iraqi civilians, mostly children, have died
from the lingering consequences of the war, including contamination of air,
soil and water, and destruction of vital infrastructure, such as water and
sewage treatment plants.
“As organizations and individuals working for the environment and
environmental justice, we have watched with increasing concern as the US
government moves closer to an all-out attack on Iraq,” said China Brotsky,
a co-author of the 1991 report “War in the Gulf: An Environmental
Perspective.” “During the first Gulf War there was considerable discussion
about its environmental impacts, but this time around the dialogue has been
virtually nonexistent. Our goal is to raise awareness and encourage
positive action.”
A coalition statement titled “10 Reasons Environmentalists Oppose
an Attack on Iraq” has been endorsed by more than 80 organizations,
including Greenpeace, Earth Island Institute, The Ecologist and Rainforest
Action Network.
“All our signers realize that war will have devastating
environmental impacts,” said Gar Smith. “We encourage people to visit our
website to learn more about the issues and what they can do.”
11. BUDDHIST REFLECTIONS ON THE NEW HOLY WAR (by USGA member David Loy)
I think Buddhism can give us some special insight into why this
crazy, stupid war seems about to happen. A huge international antiwar
movement has sprung up almost overnight because the “official” reasons for
attacking Iraq simply do not add up. Despite extreme efforts to prove
otherwise, no connection between Iraq and Al Qaeda has been discovered.
Saddam is a brutal dictator? Of course; but since when is that something
that bothers the U.S. government? We have supported and continue to
support many brutal rulers around the world, as long as they serve our
interests ƒ~ as we armed and supported Saddam when he attacked Iran and
gassed his own Kurds. If his weapons of mass destruction make him so
dangerous, why have been they so difficult to find? And why aren’t his
neighbors more worried about them? Because Saddam’s military threat is a
fragment of what it was 12 years ago. There is indeed an extraordinarily
powerful nation that continues to develop horribly destructive weapons, and
continues to abrogate international treaties that would control them. But
that rogue nation is not Iraq.
So what is really going on? This is where Buddhist teachings can
help. Karma emphasizes the intentions behind our actions. We suffer, and
make others suffer, because of the “three poisons” or roots of evil:
greed, ill will and delusion. These must be transformed into their positive
counterparts: generosity, loving-kindness and wisdom. These problems are
collective as well as individual: there is institutionalized greed (e.g.,
corporations), institutionalized ill will (e.g., the military industrial
complex) and institutionalized delusion (e.g., the media). We can see these
three poisons motivating the new Gulf War.
Greed? For oil, of course, as well as an opportunity to remake the
Middle East according to our own liking (or so we think).
Ill will? We are told that Saddam tried to assassinate Bush I.
More important, probably, is that the Dad’s old guard is back in power, and
they want to finish the first Gulf War. They are still angry that Saddam
survived it, whereas the first Bush administration did not survive the next
election.. But there is another factor: the need to divert attention from
the fact that Bush II and Co. have not been winning their war against
terrorism. Bin Laden escaped and al Qaeda has regrouped. Afghanistan is
descending back into chaos. More terrorist attacks are expected soon.
Since this failure cannot be acknowledged, attention must be diverted to a
new enemy. Another face must be found for evil — or, more precisely, a
new target for one’s anger and frustration. This is especially true for a
presidency that only found a direction for itself on 9-11. The timing of
the switch was perfect, and responsible for success in the midterm
elections.
This motivation is not necessarily all conscious. We are all
familiar with how it works. Your boss gives you a hard time at the office,
so when you come home and your kid says something mildly irritating, you
slap him.
Another factor that falls into this second category is the desire
to test all those new weapons that the Pentagon has developed and deployed.
True battlefield conditions are necessary to find out how well they really
work. Afterwards they need to be replenished, which is profitable for arms
companies, which brings us back to the first root of evil.
Delusion? This is where it gets really interesting, from a
Buddhist point of view. For one thing, there is the collective
ego-inflation that results from being the world’s only hyper-power. Power
is measured by its resistance. With nothing to challenge U.S. military
dominance, what need is there for restraint? One is free to remold the
world to the heart’s desire. The whispered word is empire, yet in the long
run such arrogance is self-destructive, because it forfeits all legitimacy.
But there is another, special insight that Buddhism has to offer
here. It is connected with anatta, the “no-self” teaching. Anatta means
that our core is hollow. The shadow-side of this emptiness is a sense of
lack. Our no-self means we feel groundless, and that often makes life a
futile quest to make ourselves feel more real. Individually, we seek being
in symbolic ways such as money, fame, or through the eyes of our beloved.
Yet there is also an important collective dimension that feeds ideologies
such as nationalism and group struggles such as war. We are always
relieved to discover that the sense of lack bothering us is due to
something outside us ƒ~ personified in the enemy, who therefore must be
defeated if we are to become whole and healed.
That is why war is sacred, and why we love violence. It seems to
give us clear purchase on the sense of lack that otherwise tends to haunt
us in an amorphous way. Violence focuses the source of our dissatisfaction
outside us, where it can be destroyed. No wonder, then, that people tend to
rejoice when war finally breaks out, as even Freud and Rilke initially did
at the beginning of the first world war. We feel newly bonded with our
neighbors in a struggle that is no longer unconscious but something we have
some conscious control over. Our problem is no longer inside us, but the
evil that is over there. In Afghanistan. Or Iraq.
When wars and revolutions do not bring us the salvation-from-lack
we seek, though, we need repeated wars and continual revolutions. Since we
can never fill up the hole at our core in this way and make ourselves
really real, we always need a new devil outside us (or inside us: a “fifth
column” of Islamic terrorist cells) to rationalize our failure and fight
against. We hide this fact from ourselves by projecting our victory
sometime into the future. If Afghanistan didn’t give us the security we
crave, defeating Iraq will. When that doesn’t quell our festering sense of
collective lack, we’ll find some other evil to fight. North Korea, anyone?
The special problem today is that our increasing technological
powers make this game increasingly dangerous. If we don’t see through this
cycle and stop it, we will destroy ourselves in the process of destroying
others. Ultimately, our individual and collective lack can only be
resolved spiritually, because that is the only way to realize our true
ground. That is the point of the Buddhist path. We need to take our
projections back into us and deal with them there. Instead of running away
from my sense of lack, mindfulness training (such as zazen) makes me more
aware of it. When I “forget myself” in meditation practice, the emptiness
at my core can transform into a “peace that surpasses understanding,” into
a formless, spontaneous fountain of creativity free to become this or that.
And to realize my own Buddha-nature in this way is to realize that everyone
else ƒ~ yes, even terrorists, even Saddam — has the same Buddha-nature.
Buddhism emphasizes non-violence so much because this path is incompatible
with what has been called “the myth of redemptive violence,” the belief
that sees violence as the solution to our problems.
12. THE MACHINERY OF SLEEP TURNS ITS FIRST WHEEL (poem by Mitchell Cohen,
forwarded with the following comment: “here is my poem that went to visit
Congress today, along with 13,000 other poems, with PoetsAgainstTheWar.org”)
The most potent weapon
in the hands of the oppressor
is the mind of the oppressed.
– Steve Biko
They took the owls
our wolves
our deer
They took our words
and sold
the rain
They took our corn
and coined
the pastures
They took our pictures
and stole
the spirit
They took our forests
and now gasp
for air
They paved our paths
running deserts
corrugated streams
They took our time
the long silence
between heartbeats
They took our shoes
still we are coming
our feet
Wrapped
in the skins
of dreams
Mitchel Cohen, Brooklyn, NY, Editor of Green Politix (the national
newspaper of the Greens/GPUSA) and the Red Balloon Poetry Conspiracy
13. IGN ECOSTUDY GROUP MEETS FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 2003 (submitted by Richard
Evanoff)
PLEASE NOTE THAT WE WILL BE BACK IN OUR USUAL ROOM ON THE 3RD FLOOR
OF BUILDING #8
DATE: Friday, April 11, 2003
TIME: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
PLACE: Aoyama Gakuin University, Shibuya (Tokyo) Campus, Building
#8, 3rd floor (10 minutes walk from Shibuya station; 5 minutes walk from
the Omote-sando subway station)
DIRECTIONS: Come in the main entrance to the university (with the
statue of John Wesley at the second floor level of the the building just to
the right), walk down the tree-lined walkway until you reach the chapel (on
your right). Building #8 is the next building after the chapel (between
the chapel and the library). Take the elevator to the 3rd floor. As soon
as you come out of the elevator follow the signs to the meeting room.
PRESENTER: Todd Rho’Dess
TOPIC: “U.S. Power Projection in a Post 9-11 World”
FUTURE PRESENTATIONS:
May 9: Teresa Schulze and Yuki Takahashi, “Ethnic Minorities in Japan”
June 13: Dan Wolf, “The Role of Personal Growth in the Political
Realm”
July 11: Erik Kaye, “A System for Non-violent Confrontation, Part II”
August: Summer vacation — no meeting
September: Corinne Sutter, “Working Class Life”
If you would like to give a future presentation or have any
questions about the EcoStudy Group, please contact Richard Evanoff at
1933-8 Hazama-cho, Hachioij-shi, Tokyo 193-0941 or
14. SYMPOSIUM ON “THE EQUITY DIMENSION IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION” (from
Hiroshi Ohta)
Everyone who is interested in this submect is welcome, but please
give us notice of your attendance to this sympsium by April 14 vial e-mail
to
PLACE: Soken Bldg., Conference Room 19 (Bldg. #14, 11 floor).
Aoyama Gakuin University, Shibuya campus.
TIME: April 16 (Wed.) 12:30-16:30
MODERATOR: Prof. Hiroshi Ohta, Aoyama Gakuin University
PROGRAM:
12:45-14:30
“On the Project of Environmental Policy and Equity” by Prof. Kozo
Yamamura, University of Washington
“A Comparative Examination of the Link between Equity and
Environmental Protection” by Prof. Miranda Schreurs, University of Maryland
“The Multiple Dimensions of Environmental Justice: Equal
Protection, Intergenerational Equity, and Regulatory Fairness: The Case of
the United States” by Prof. Robert Percival, University of Maryland
Question and Answer Period
Coffee Break
14:45-16:30
“International Water and Equity” by GLOBE Japan (Global Legislators
Organization for a Balanced Environment (subject to change)
“Integrating Equity Concerns in Environmental Protection: The Case
of China” by Dr. Jennifer Turner, Woodrow Wilson Center, the China
Enviornment Forum
DISCUSSANTS (subject to change): Keiko Itoh, Asia Environment
Network; Prof. Richard J. Evanoff, Aoyama Gakuin University; Prof. Keisuke
Iida, Aoyama Gakuin University
Question and Answer Period
15. JAMBO NEEDS VOLUNTEERS FOR EARTH DAY (from David Howenstein)
Volunteers are needed to sit at the JAMBO booth at the Earth Day
Festival in Yoyogi on April 19 & 20. If you can volunteer on either of
those days between 10:00AM and 5:00PM, please let me know how long and the
times you’d be available. Thank you. JAMBO HOMEPAGE
16. MT. KONPIRA FESTIVAL APRIL 29 (from Richard Evanoff)
An annual festival will be held at the Shinto shrine on the top of
Mt. Konpira near Takao Station in Hachioji, Tokyo on Japan’s “Green Day,”
April 29. Everyone is invited to attend! The festival will include a wide
range of performances, including music and dance, as well as lots of food
and drink. The main activities will be held from 12:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Several years ago a local citizens group began to hold annual
festivals on the top of Mt. Konpira in protest against plans by a school to
dynamite the mountain in order to make a new sports complex. The citizens
group managed to prevent the mountain from being dynamited and continues to
hold an annual festival on Green Day, as well as New Year’s festivities and
picnics on the first Sunday of every month (except May, since the first
Sunday falls soon after the annual festival). A community has formed
around the shrine, which has also become a gathering point for Japanese and
foreign activists. The Konpira community is also working with other groups
to try to stop construction of a tunnel through Mt. Takao as part of the
proposed Ken-o-do Expressway.
To get to Mt. Konpira take either the Chuo Line or the Keio Line
from Shinjuku to Takao Station (NOT Takao-san-guchi Station). Go out the
south exit, make a sharp U-turn to the right after coming down the stairs,
and you will begin to see signs directing you to Konpira. It’s about a
20-minute walk from the station to the top of the mountain (don’t worry,
it’s not that high!). Look forward to seeing you there!
17. GENETIC ENGINEERING: A TECHNOLOGY OF CORPORATE CONTROL (from Jim
Scheff of the Gateway Greens; forwarded by Don Fitz)
BIODEVASTATION 7: A FORUM ON ENVIRONMENTAL RACISM, WORLD
AGRICULTURE, AND BIOWARFARE, St. Louis Missouri, May 16-18, 2003.
Dear Advocate for a GE-free-world, We would like to invite you to
co-sponsor the 7th International Gathering on Biodevastation called
“Genetic Engineering: A Technology ofCorporate Control.” The May 16-18,
2003 Gathering will be in Monsanto’s home town of St.Louis, Missouri, USA.
The anti-genetic engineering movement has won the hearts and minds
of Europe and India and respect from governments in southern Africa. In
the US, there is a strong alliance between anti-GE activists, family farm
organizations, and the global justice movement. Now is the time for the
anti-GE movement to reach out to social justice, peace and environmental
movements with which it has only begun to be successfully integrated
through the ongoing series of biodevastation gatherings.
The May 2003 Biodevastation Gathering will be the cutting edge
event defining links between environmental racism and biotechnology
industries. Subtitled “A Forum on Environmental Racism, World Agriculture
and Biowarfare,” the event is organized around five main panels:
a. “The International Threat to Farms and Farmers” will delve into
the plight of farmers in the US, Canada and Africa, giving attention to
black farmers in the US and legal cases of corporations suing farmers when
GE pollen blows into their fields.
b. “Corporate Greed and Environmental Racism” will examine
pesticides sprayed on farmworkers, toxins released into communities of
color, and the sordid long-term record of Monsanto. It will highlight the
effects of consuming GE food for people who are already at risk due to
repeated exposure to toxins.
c. “Biowarfare” will explore the US role in developing biological
weapons, paying particular attention to the current threat of their being
used against Muslims and people of color and the ecosystems they have
nurtured.
d. “Globalization and Food Imperialism” will document efforts by
multinational corporations to drive up to one billion small farmers off the
land in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
e. “Crop Contamination and the Future of Indigenous Agriculture”
will provide scientific background on horizontal gene transfer and escape
of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) into the ecosystem.
Confirmed speakers for the 2003 event include some of the most
accomplished scientists and organizers in the world: Mae-Wan Ho (Institute
for Science in Society, London), Mwananyanda Mbikusita Lewanika (National
Institute for Scientific & Industrial Research, Zambia), Michael Hansen
(Consumer Policy Institute), Vandana Shiva (Research Foundation for
Science, Technology and Ecology, India), Ignacio Chapela (University of
California professor who documented GE pollen contamination of indigenous
corn in Mexico), Anuradha Mittal (Institute for Food and Development
Policy, California), Lawrence Tsimese (Ghana Organic Agriculture Network),
Ana Ruiz Diaz (Permaculture Network of Mexico), Michael Dorsey (Dartmouth,
a long-time environmental justice activist from Detroit who writes on
biopiracy in Ecuador), Felder Freeman (African American farmer with the
Federation of Southern Co-ops), Edward Hammond (Sunshine Project, which
researches bioweapons), Percy Schmeiser (Canadian farmer in a long-term
legal battle with Monsanto), Mark Mitchell (Connecticut Coalition for
Environmental Justice), Kristin Dawkins (Institute for Agriculture and
Trade Policy), and Brian Tokar (Institute for Social Ecology, Vermont).
There will be concurrent workshop tracks for participants to
explore one of these themes in depth. The Gathering will seek to attract
attendees at the May 18-20 World Agricultural Forum (WAF-also in St. Louis)
to hear a different perspective. On the day the two events overlap, there
will be a peaceful and publicly visible activity featuring non-GE food and
a major rally at the site of the WAF.
Since Monsanto and General Electric are not going to underwrite the
Gathering, activists will have to support it ourselves through
registration. Registration fees will be:
$50 postmarked before April 1
$75 April 1 or after
An organization will be listed as a supporter if it registers two
or more people before April 1. Since the Gathering has expenses to meet
immediately, we hope that you will save money by sending registration fees
for more than two people right away.
We very much need larger organizations to become co-sponsors by
sending at least $1000. This allows the organization to name 20 people
whose $50 registration fees are covered. (Groups are welcome to send more
than $1000 and register more members.) Co-sponsoring organizations will be
listed prominently at the front of the Gathering brochure.
We will print 500 to 1000 copies of the 8.5 x 11″ Gathering Program
which will be used for three days by dedicated environmentalists.
Advertisement space in this booklet is $200 (full page), $125 (half page),
$75 (quarter page), or $50 (eighth page/business card).
Please confirm by e-mail or phone as soon as you make a decision to
support or co-sponsor the Gathering. This will help us tremendously in
financial planning.
Make your check out to the Gateway Green Education Foundation,
noting “7th Biodev Gathering,” and send it to 720 Harvard, St. Louis MO
63130 before April 1, 2003.
Solidarity, Jim Scheff, Biotechnology Organizer, Gateway Greens
18. NEWS FROM TOKYO ENGLISH LIFE LINE (T.E.L.L.) (from by Tokyo English
Life Line)
1. ARE YOU LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPTIONS?
Tokyo English Lifeline is a vibrant non profit organization which
is celebrating its 30th year in 2003. We are recruiting at the moment for
volunteers to work in a variety of interesting projects and roles. We have
opportunities where you could use your skills to serve the community in
management, event coordination, corporate liaisons and fundraising as well
as internet web design, IT support, and database development. We will be
holding an orientation and induction day in April for new volunteers for
these projects. This may mean joining our Board of Directors and being
responsible for our financial and policy decisions or becoming involved in
planning the Annual Connoisseur’s Auction and Runathon fundraisers. We also
have a Corporate Council whose members build sustainable relationships
through liaising with corporations in Tokyo and keeping them up to date on
our work and services with professional presentations. This is an excellent
way to maintain business links and continue to be involved in the corporate
world.
TELL also produces an informational calendar which utilizes layout
and graphic design talents and advertising sales skills. There is also
scope for creating any fundraising ideas you can imagine as well as
performing PR and publicity work. We are always looking for ways to
increase our website access and to improve our database and IT systems. If
you are interested in becoming involved in any of these roles or projects
or if you would like to find out more about TELL, please give the Lifeline
Services Director a call on (03) 3498 0246 or the office on (03) 3498 0261.
2. EXTENDING OUR HOURS TO 9 AM – 11 PM
From TELL’s 30th Birthday on April 1st, we will be extending our
hours on the Life Line to cover the entire period from 9am-11pm 365 days a
year. The line is a free service for people to talk confidentially to a
trained counselor about any topic they need to. People often call the Life
Line to talk about relationship issues, depression and loneliness, cultural
adjustment or to ask for information they need for living in Tokyo.
3. T.E.L.L. 4TH ANNUAL RUNATHON MAY 3
TELL would like to invite you to join us for our 4th annual
Runathon on Saturday, May 3rd. Bring your family and friends and walk or
run 5km or 10km around the Imperial Palace.
5km walk begins at 9:45
5km run begins at 10:30
10km run begins at 10:40
Free T-shirts, fantastic prizes, clowns and great fun. Registration 3,000
yen/person until April 16. Registration on the day is 3,500 yen. 10,000
yen for a family(4 or more). Visit the TELL website,
19. BOOKS FOR BURMA (An appeal on behalf of the English Teachers of
Myanmar; forwarded by Richard Wilcox)
The education system in Burma has been eroded over the past twenty
years to the point where it is almost non-functioning. Resources are almost
non-existent and English teachers in particular have almost no knowledge of
modern texts and methods and very little access to printed texts.
This year, as part of the Volunteer Education Network’s (VEN)
activities, I have determined to seek the help of teachers in Japan to
provide English language texts, teacher resources and reading material for
Burmese teachers and students.
Every term, teachers go through their bookshelves and discard a
large number of duplicate or sample texts, older academic books or books in
which they no longer have an interest. I would like to ask you to collect
all English language books, whether, teacher-resources, student texts,
readers, reference books, novels or academic texts no matter what the
subject matter, pack them up and send to me so that I can send them to
educational institutions, through the British Council.
The British Council in Rangoon are going to distribute the books
through their “Millennium Centers” which are resource centers for English
teachers in the different regions of Burma.
Transportation of the books from Japan is likely to be taken care
of by donations from the BC Rangoon and BC Tokyo, but if anyone has any
other ideas for where to get funding for something like this, please get in
touch. Otherwise, my leaving bonus from my old job will cover it!
To answer a few questions that have come up,
1. I hope this will become an ongoing project, although from time
to time I want to change the destination country (Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam,
Nepal etc. all need books too).
2. Please send all books to my home address by March 28th for this
shipping. Don’t worry if they arrive later than this as there will be more
shippings this year.
“BB” c/o Alan Mackenzie, 2-13-10-102 Sugesengoku, Tama Ku, Kawasaki
Shi, Kanagawa Ken 214-0006
3. All takyubin expenses will have to be yours unfortunately. This
is a shoestring grassroots operation.
4. ANY books relating to English teaching and learning are welcome.
Novels and academic/ factual magazines are also welcome since any printed
resources are almost non-existent in Burma. However, the target audience is
teachers of English and the books should be primarily for the purpose of
teaching/learning English at all levels.
5. Textbooks that have a lot of Japanese are not likely to be very
useful so if instructions etc. are in Japanese, please don’t include them.
A little Japanese is okay (forwards, glossaries, etc).
6. Single copies, publisher samples, and sample tapes or full tapes
are all welcome.
7. Labeling: Please mark on the box how many books you are sending,
with a big “BB” on the side of each box.
8. All contributors will receive a contribution certificate stating
the number of books donated.
Thank you very much to the fifteen or so people who have promised a
box or ten already!
Alan Mackenzie
20. FRIENDS OF THE EARTH HIKES IN APRIL (from Friends of the Earth)
The following Friends of the Earth hikes are scheduled for April:
APRIL 6: Mitake-yama, Takaiwa-yama / Okutama (moderately easy).
Meet at 7:30 a.m. at Shinjuku JR Station at the front end of Platform 9 of
the Chuo Line.
APRIL 13: Gozen-yama / Okutama (moderately hard). Meet at 7:30 a.m.
at Shinjuku JR Station at the front end of Platform 9 of the Chuo Line.
APRIL 20: Kuki-san, Kagura-yama / Yamanashi (moderately hard). Meet
at 8:00 a.m. at Shinjuku JR Station at the front end of Platform 9 of the
Chuo Line.
For more information see the Friends of the Earth website at
send an e-mail to
line. Friends of the Earth can also be contacted at 3-17-24-2F Mejiro,
Toshima-ku, Tokyo 171-0031. Tel: 03-3951-1081. Fax: 03-3951-1084.
21. APRIL NEWS AND SPECIALS FROM TENGU (from Tengu Natural Foods)
We just mailed out our Spring Tengu Times. If you have not gotten
a copy and want one drop us a note or go to our homepage at
www.alishan-organic-center.com and download it.
Alishan’s First MUSIC EVENT on Sunday April 6th from Noon till 8
PM. Live on the deck with Yaski and also drums by Yamazaki Yamato. Nine
different DJ’s in the event room all day and evening. The cafe will be
offering up a range of snacks and good things. 2,000 yen entrance includes
one drink. See our homepage for more info and show poster (in Japanese).
Alishan Organic Center and Tengu Natural Foods will host the second
Organic Market Day event on the 17th of May. We are currently looking for
ecologically oriented groups, artists, crafts people, musicians, etc., to
perform, set up booths, and sell their wares. There is no charge to set up
a booth or perform. Please note this is not a Flea Market, no used
clothes! Interested parties can contact Leon, Jack, or Heather at Alishan
Organic Center. Tel: 0429-82-4811. Fax: 0429-82-4813.
APRIL SPECIALS
– PP58 Special Introductory Price – Corn Penne Pasta (wheat free
and of course organic!) 250g bag for Y250. We have a limited number so
order soon!
– PP38 White Pita Bread – Usually Y520, now Y440
– PP39 Pure Vanilla Extract – Usually Y1200, now Y1080
– PP40 Multi Grain Bread Mix – Usually Y670, now Y600
– PP43 Meridian Strawberry Jam – Usually Y720, now Y640
– PP47 Pretzels – Usually Y400, now Y360
– PP48 Eden Apple Juice – Usually Y620, now Y560
– PP49 Black Mission Figs – Usually Y900, now Y800
– PP50 Blueberries – Usually Y650, now Y420
– PP52 Eggplant Curry – Usually Y520, now TWO for Y620
– PP53 Lentil Curry – Usually Y520, now TWO for Y620
– PP54 Ginger & Garlic Curry Paste 40% off – Usually Y500, now Y300
– PP56 Planet Spray Cleaner 15% off – Usually Y900, now Y765
– PP55 CANNED BEANS SPECIAL – our can sizes are changing so we want
to clear out the old smaller size. Choose from: Canned Black beans or
Canned Pinto beans – Usually Y290 each, now THREE for Y500 (we will send 2
black and 1 pinto unless you tell us otherwise)
PAST DATE SPECIALS
– PP44 Almond Butter (expiry date April 5th 2003) Usually Y800,
now TWO for Y800
– PP45 Seven Grain Cereal (expiry date April 23rd 2003) – Usually
Y550, now Y450 OR PP46 FOUR boxes for Y1000
– PP51 Tabouli (expiry date April 11th 2003) Usually Y450, now
Y150 – that is 66% off
22. JOURNAL OF ENGAGED PEDAGOGY NO. 2 (from Jane Nakagawa)
Issue no 2 of the Journal of Engaged Pedagogy (JEP), an alternative
publication for teachers and
researchers inspired by Paulo Freire and bell hooks, will be available in
April, 2003.
Please visit the Engaged Pedagogy Association (EPA) website to view
the table of contents:
EPA membership information is also available on the website:
information about a June EPA
conference held in Tokyo (please check the EPA website in April for further
details).
To order individual copies of JEP 1 or JEP 2, please contact Reiko
Yoshihara:
23. KYOTO JOURNAL #53 (JUST DEEDS) (from Ken Rodgers)
Dear Friends of KJ, Kyoto Journal #53 will be released this week.
Here is our press release/announcement of this very timely special issue:
JUST DEEDS: HEART AND INNOVATION IN THE REAL WORLD
Kyoto Journal, an award-winning non-profit volunteer-based
international quarterly established in 1986, is dedicated to presenting
fresh, thought-provoking “Perspectives on Asia.”
With this special issue of Kyoto Journal we honor vision,
innovation, pragmatism, and persistence. Not merely as admirable abstract
concepts, but as revealed in the lifework of remarkable individuals
dedicated to creating social changes that improve and enrich people’s lives
in Asia and beyond.
Envisioning new ways of tackling what needs to be done, these
social entrepreneurs and innovators have translated ideas into actions,
words into deeds. Their personal commitment demonstrates the unlimited
potential of human imagination to overcome social, environmental and
economic problems – thereby positively transforming the world. Living their
ideals, they inspire their own communities and demonstrate humanity in
action to us all – a welcome antidote to the massively destructive
present-day insanity of military “solutions.”
JUST DEEDS spotlights people and groups in fifteen countries in
Asia who have taken up the vital challenge of finding creative, unorthodox
yet effective ways to deal successfully with diverse social problems
involving health, education, environmental concerns, poverty, inequality,
civic empowerment and other issues desperately in need of resolution. In
addition to individual profiles and success stories, we also present essays
providing social context and historical overview, and other accounts of
attempts to make the world a better place – even at a very local level – by
people who care enough to make a difference.
These are just some of the articles featured in this issue:
– “Living Words” – John Hanagan. “We live in one world,” said
Joseph Campbell, “and babble about another.” As a longtime professor of
philosophy, I find this observation particularly unsettling. Why are words
so often empty? And how is it that some people, in ways great and small,
manage the heroic feat of living their beliefs?
– “The Abandoned Jewels of Cambodia” – Kimberlye Kowalczyk. In
1991 Arn Chorn Pond returned to Cambodia to found Cambodian Volunteers for
Community Development, a youth community service group with 60,000 members
that aims to improve the quality of life for destitute Cambodians. He is
also working on his more recently founded Cambodia Master Performers
Program, which provides opportunities for the few surviving old master
artists of traditional Khmer arts and music to pass on to youth their vital
cultural legacy.
– “Living Deeds” – Ken Rodgers. Since commencing its initial
program in India in 1982, Ashoka Foundation has elected over 1,200 Fellows,
actively promoting new ideas in health, education, civic participation,
environment and economic development in 43 different countries, including
six in Asia (Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, and Thailand).
– “Working for Change in Mongolia” – Paul D. Scott. Oyun, who
acknowledges among her influences the Dalai Lama, fights for the ideals of
her murdered brother. The principal mission of the Zorig Foundation,
founded shortly after his death, is to advance the formation of a
democratic society and support political reforms in Mongolia.
– “This Can’t Last Forever” – Daniel Rothenberg on political change
in Burma. The voices of older, educated Burmese reveal the uncertainty of
past predictions, the severe impact of decades of poor governance and the
essential sadness of facing a nation’s unrealized dreams. For the
generation who came to political maturity with the country’s independence,
Burma’s current crisis is the result of having missed one opportunity after
another.
– “Prison Matriarch” – Rita Dixit-Kubiak. “I told them I was not
merely a correctional officer, but saw myself as a mother concerned about
each of them, about their progress, protection and welfare. My intuition
proved absolutely right. It transformed my workplace. I had leaped from an
apparent dead end to a space of creative possibility, and I was determined
to take everyone with me.”
– “Living Future: What the World Wants” – Medard Gabel. Given the
broad spectrum of people involved in creating this global preferred state,
it can be argued that the results give a good indication of where the
entire world, given the “vote,” would agree to move towards. More
importantly, and very disturbingly, the global preferred state cannot be
dismissed as fantasy for another good reason: it is quite achievable, and
achievable with present day technology and resources. Going one step
further: it is not only achievable…it is affordable.
Just Deeds will be available by subscription and special order from
Kyoto Journal in late March; in bookstores in Japan in early April, and in
the U.S. in mid-May. (Copies will also be available at our retrospective
exhibition: “Perspectives on Asia: 17 Years of Kyoto Journal,” at Kyoto
International Community House, March 29 to April 5). For more information
on Just Deeds and Kyoto Journal, please visit our newly updated website:
With our best regards, John Einarsen, Founding Editor, Art
Director; Ken Rodgers, Managing Editor; Stewart Wachs, Associate Editor
Kyoto Journal, 35 Minamigoshomachi, Okazaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
606-8334. Fax: 075-751-1196. E-mail:
Kyoto Journal offers thought-provoking cultural perspectives on
Asia. A non-profit, all-volunteer production now in its 17th year, KJ has
been shortlisted six years consecutively in the Utne Reader’s Alternative
Press Awards – with nominations for Excellence in Art and Design (awarded
’98), Local/RegionalCoverage, Writing Excellence, and (in 2002) both Design
and General Excellence.
24. INFO ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL GREEN NETWORK
REGISTRATION: To register with the International Green Network,
please request a registration form from Richard Evanoff at
193-0941. Registration is open to both individuals and groups. There is no
registration fee or dues of any kind. Small donations (1,000 yen or less)
to help cover operating expenses are welcomed, however.
NEWSLETTER: The International Green Network (IGN) Newsletter will
be published irregularly and sent to all people who register with the IGN.
An e-mail version will be sent to those on e-mail and by regular mail to
those who are not. Items for publication may be submitted by anyone and
should be sent to Andrew Welford at
3-28-12-201, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 154-0004. Please send general discussion
items to the e-mail list (info below) rather than to the newsletter;
however, if there is something you would like to share with everyone in the
IGN, please send it to the newsletter so that those who are not on e-mail
can receive it. We especially welcome: news items; events info; profiles of
organizations and groups; alternative business advertisements (published
free of charge); short articles; and opinion pieces. Please send items for
publication in the form in which you would like it to be published since
editing will be minimal.
WEBSITE: The International Green Network maintains a website at
website should be sent to Tony Boys at
E-MAIL LIST: By joining the IGN listserv, you will be able to
exchange messages with other group members. To register for the e-mail
list, send an e-mail message “subscribe ignj” to
simply send an e-mail to
belong to the IGN e-mail list, you may unsubscribe by
sending an email to
available at
be correct but if there are any glitches, please contact the IGN list
moderator at
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