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Inaugural conference of the International Network for the Abolition of Foreign Military Bases Quito and Manta, Ecuador March 5 to 9, 2007. |
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For More information on No Bases click => here December 2006 Dear Friends and Supporters of the NOBASES Network, The International Organizing Committee of our network invites you to participate in our first global conference in Quito, Ecuador. Come to this inaugural conference of the International Network for the Abolition of Foreign Military Bases in Quito and Manta, Ecuador on March 5 to 9, 2007. This conference is the result of three years of meetings, networking, e-mail discussions, conference calls and exchanges to create the most extensive global network of organisations and individuals working on foreign military bases in history. The conference will be the beginning of a more active phase of the network as it undertakes more concrete projects and campaigns. The conference itself will be an intensive working meeting of three days in Quito; we will share information and experiences; strategise, discuss political and movement perspectives and goals and plan the organisational future of the network. There will also be a track of activities for those who new to military base issues to learn from experienced activists After three days in Quito, the conference will go to Manta where the participants will join local community leaders in a day of action around the US Airbase there. The focus will be on sharing of experiences in campaigning; the specific political, economical, sociologic and ecologic meaning of the base for the local population, and the role of the airbase in US military operations in Latin America. NOBASES was formed when many groups came together at the World Social Forum in Mumbai in 2004. The Network has grown around the world; in 2006 we had a successful panel and a meeting at the World Peace Forum in Vancouver, Canada. Our list serve functions as an information and action news exchange and a vehicle for global solidarity for many individuals and organizations working to close the nearly 1000 foreign bases around the world. "Foreign Military Bases" is understood to mean any foreign military presence, including bases, small installations, joint exercises, access arrangements, etc. We seek an end to military domination and intimidation and an end to the social, environmental and economic consequences of these bases in the host countries. We have a National Organising Committee of 22 Ecuadorian organizations which has the task of preparation for this major event along with a group of 20 organisations from around the world who form the International Organizing Committee (IOC) who are responsible for the content of the conference and for the financial implications of organising such a large event. At the World Social Forum in Nairobi, January, 2007 we will be hosting a panel discussion with a focus on foreign bases in Africa and holding a planning meeting for the Ecuador conference. We have been fortunate to obtain some very supportive funding from international groups. HOWEVER, we need more funds if we are to have a successful and fully participatory conference. So far, NOBASES does not charge membership fees and supporters can freely participate in our network, list serve and activities without any financial cost. We want to keep it that way. But if we are to grow in membership, strength and effectiveness, we need the help of our supporters. Our network is maintained by members who work in solidarity as unpaid volunteers; we have no office or staffing costs. We are appealing to you, our individual and organizational members; please make a financial contribution NOW! We ask you to send what you can afford and to
distribute this appeal to groups that you belong
to that have similar peaceful goals & ask them
for donations for the NOBASES Ecuador conference
and meetings. A detailed budget is available from
the organizing committee. Asociación Cristiana de Jovenes (Ecuador) US Peace Council (US) International Network for the Abolition of
Foreign Military Bases (NOBASES)
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Copyright 2006 - New Haven Peace Council - All Rights Reserved
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