The EYFA Wintermeeting is the annual general meeting of the EYFA network, and the venue changes each year, from country to country. Gluaiseacht are hosting and organising the meeting this year in Ireland. Every Wintermeeting has a theme and as hosts, we have chosen ‘Anti-war Activism’ as the theme for this meeting.
The meeting will be in 2 parts with EYFA working days from Sun 3rd – Wed 6th, and Gluaiseacht Anti-war Meeting days from Thur 7th – S?n 10th.
The first part of the week will be devoted to EYFA content, discussing EYFA structure and strategy with regard to their role in the European environmental and social movement, examining ways to work more effectively for the protection of our environment and a just society.
The second part of the week, and the focus of this letter, will be devoted to anti-war activism with a view to establishing a European network of activists.
Gluaiseacht has been very involved in anti-war activism during the past 2 years. Shannon Airport, Co Clare, Ireland, a civilian airport in a neutral country, has been used for many years as a refuelling base for the American military. ‘Prisoners of war’, ‘suspected terrorists’ and illegal detainees continue to be transported through Shannon en route to Guantanamo Bay. American use of Shannon continues as does the war in Iraq. Many anti-war actions have focused on this. Anti-war activism was strong in the lead up to and during the first months of the war. There were huge marches, public debate, a peace camp at Shannon airport, civil disobedience protests, ploughshare actions and many police arrests and court appearances.
Recently though, anti-war activity has died down and focus has been blurred due to a certain amount of unwillingness and inability of different anti-war groups to work together. We feel the time has come to rectify this situation by putting aside our differences, reviving common purpose and establishing a European network of anti-war and peace activists, who will pledge to take an active stand against the ‘war machine’ in their own countries in all it’s shapes and forms, i.e. direct involvement in war, weapons and components production, or, as in Ireland’s case, offering the use of a civilian public airport for the purposes of war.
We are deeply inspired by the pledge to action of the UK Trident Ploughsares, check out [url=http://www.tridentploughshares.org]www.tridentploughshares.org[/url] for more details. We would like to set up a network similar to theirs, where all people despite age, politics, religion and differences can work together for peace.
And to prevent larger groups overshadowing others, we are inviting people to join this network as individuals.
If you or members of your group/organisation, or if you know people who would be interested in coming to the meeting, please write to Gluaiseacht, c/o Tracey Ryan, Cromogue, Bog Cross, Dromcollogher, Co Limerick, Ireland. You can phone Tracey at +353 (0)87 6543425 or Niall at +353 (0)86 8444966, or email us at [email]europe_antiwar_info@gluaiseacht.net[/email]
Please tell us a little bit about yourself, what group, if any, you’re involved with, what YOU would like to get from this conference, what skills/experience/information you can share and what kind of network you envisage, or if you think this is what is needed. The meeting is open to anyone who believes in taking non-violent direct action, it it symbolic, by civil disobedience, or in solidarity with others.
We are currently working on the programme schedule outlined below and we welcome any ideas or suggestions you may have.
Thu 7th Presentations and Press Conference.
Fri 8th Skill and Information sharing.
Sat 9th Setting up the network. A pledge to action. Party.
Sun 10th Action at Shannon Airport.
Accommodation and food are available at low cost at the venue, which is in a beautiful part of the country, close to the sea and ‘The Burren’, an area of outstanding natural beauty. More information on accommodation when you apply, but space is limited so apply soon. Deadline for applications is February 28th.
If you work with groups or projects on social, environmental or justice issues and would like to be involved in the EYFA decision-making processes and would like to come to both the EYFA and anti-war parts, and for the whole week, please see [url=http://www.eyfa.benn.org/wiki/Wintermeeting2005]www.eyfa.be?n.org/wiki/Wintermeeting2005[/url] for application details or write to EYFA, Postbus 94115, 1090 GC Amsterdam, Netherlands. Phone +31 (0)20 6657743 or email [email]Wintermeeting@eyfa.org[/email]
Financial help in the form of Travel Reimbursement and accommodation expenses, is available if you come for the full week. If you can afford to pay for yourself, please do, and you’ll be freeing up funds for those who can’t. Fundraising is ongoing if you feel inclined to help with the event.
VISAS : If you are a non-EU citizen you will require a visa to come to Ireland. If you’re not sure of your visa status, the list of countries who need visas can be seen at: [url=http://www.oasis.gov.ie/moving_country/passports_and_visas/visas_for_tourists_visiting_ireland]www.oasis.gov.ie/moving_country/passports_and_visas/visas_for_tourists_visiting_ireland[/url]
Don’t worry, we will help you and send all the documentation you need to apply successfully for a TOURIST VISA which is what you need. But you must apply very soon because your visa application needs to be back by the end of January as it takes up to 8 weeks to process your visa application. The application form will be available online from Monday, 17th January.
Please pass this call out to all interested parties, circulate it among your group members, email lists, other anti-war and peace activists etc. Then it’s up to each individual to contact us. So, write to us along the guidelines above, we’ll send you your visa information and documents, if you need them, then you send back your visa application by the end of January, other applications by Feb 28th, and hopefully we’ll see you in April.
On behalf of Gluaiseacht,
Yours sincerely,
Tracey Ryan and Niall Harnett.