Christchurch To Host National Anarchist Conference

Anarchists and anti-capitalists from around New Zealand will be gathering in Christchurch over Labour Weekend (October 20-21) for a national anarchist conference.

2001: An Anarchist Odyssey is being hosted by Christchurch anarchist group the Anarchist Round Table (ART). With interest in anarchism high as a result of the burgeoning global anti-capitalist movement, the conference will provide an opportunity for anarchists and other activists to reflect on issues such as corporate globalisation and resistance to it around the world from an anarchist perspective.

Speakers at the conference will include veterans of recent anti-capitalist demonstrations in Prague and Melbourne, as well as representatives from a range of groups directly involved in the fight against globalisation both in New Zealand and overseas, such as People’s Global Action (PGA) and the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW).

Day One of the two-day conference will concentrate on the global scene, with workshops dealing with international organisations such as the WTO and IMF, the New Zealand/Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement, the history of anti-capitalist revolutions, and People’s Global Action (PGA).

Day Two will see attention turn to the local scene. Highlights include workshops on Tino Rangatiratanga, direct action, and independent media. The latter will cover recent efforts to set up a New Zealand branch of Indymedia, the Internet-based news network that rose to prominence during the 1999 protests against the World Trade Organisation in Seattle. There will also be a discussion on the “war against terrorism” and how it might affect activists in New Zealand

The conference will run from 10 am to 8 pm on Saturday October 20 and Sunday October 21. Most of the workshops will be held at the main conference venue at Aldersgate, 309 Durham Street North, although the Sunday morning session will be held at InterActive, the new Christchurch activist centre at 4th Floor 222 High Street. The cost is $10 per day, which includes lunch and dinner.

More information about the conference is available at the conference website at http://www24.brinkster.com/aconference. ART can be contacted by phone at (03) 365-4068 or email at anroundtable@hotmail.com. InterActive is open from 11 am to 3 pm on weekdays and from noon to 2 pm on Saturdays.

Updated timetable for anarchist conference

2001: AN ANARCHIST ODYSSEY
Organising Against Capitalism in the 21st Century

INTRO

Anarchists and other anti-capitalists from around the country will be gathering in Christchurch over Labour Weekend (October 20-21) for two days of workshops, discussions, and other fun activities loosely based on the theme of local responses to capitalist globalisation. The conference is being hosted by the Anarchist Round Table (ART).

VENUES

Most activities will take place at the main conference venue at Aldersgate, 309 Durham Street North, in the centre of Christchurch. The Sunday morning session will be held at InterActive, the new Otautahi/Christchurch activist centre at 4th Floor 222 High Street (on the corner of High Street and Cashel Mall).

SCHEDULE

FRIDAY 19 OCTOBER (Evening)

Christchurch people and any out-of-towners who arrive on the Friday are invited to a free video evening at InterActive, 4th Floor 222 High Street. Starts 7 pm.

SATURDAY 20 OCTOBER - International Day

10am - noon: Plenary Session Introductions (Frank of ART) Organising Against Capitalism in the 21st Century: an overview of where we are in 2001 (Grant of ART) Peoples Global Action (Teanau Tuiono of Aotearoa Educators) The Bretton Woods institutions (Leigh Cookson of ARENA)

Noon - 1 pm: Lunch

1 - 3 pm: Workshop Session 1 Introduction to Anarchism (Kerry and K8 of ART) The State of the World: an analysis of the political situation in Aotearoa and the world (Scott Hamilton of the Third Eye Collective) The New Zealand/Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement (Bill Rosenberg of CAFCA)

3.15 - 5.15 pm: Workshop Session 2 A Brief History of Anti-capitalist Revolutions (Toby of the Libertarian Communists) Capitalism and its Effects on Indigenous Peoples Struggles (Belle from Christchurch) DIY Screenprinting: a hands-on workshop (K8 of ART)

5.30 - 6.30 pm: Plenary Session Discussion on Direction and Tactics of the Anti-capitalist Movement (Facilitated by Mathew of ART)

6.30 - 7.30 pm: Dinner

8 pm - ?: Get-together at InterActive

SUNDAY 21 OCTOBER - Aotearoa/New Zealand Day

10 - 11.30 am: Plenary (Note: This session will be held at InterActive) National roundup of anarchist activities; planning for N9; anti-war movement in Aotearoa

Noon - 1 pm: Lunch

1 - 2.30 pm: Workshop Session 1 Direct Action (Mark Eden from Wellington and Rob of ART) Independent Media (Mathew, Frank, Grant and Danyl)

2.45 - 4.15 pm: Workshop Session 2 Foreign Control in Aotearoa (Murray Horton of CAFCA) The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW Aotearoa) Tino Rangatiratanga (Teanau Tuiono of Aotearoa Educators)

4.30 - 6 pm: Closing Session/Debrief

6 - 7.30 pm: Dinner

8 pm - ?: Get together at InterActive

COST AND REGISTRATION

The conference will cost $20 per person for the two days, or $10 for one day. This includes two meals a day. Accommodation is not included, but we will do our best to make arrangements for people who give us notice in advance of the type of accommodation they need. Money should be paid directly to the organisers at the start of the conference. However, we encourage all those planning to attend to register in advance so that we have a clear idea of how many people to expect. To register, write to ART, PO Box 22-076, email anroundtable@hotmail.com, or phone (03) 365-4068.

TRANSPORT

Call 025-2014-280 if you want to be picked up from the airport or railway station on your arrival.

YOUR HOSTS

Anarchist Round Table (ART) PO Box 22-076 Christchurch Email: anroundtable@hotmail.com Website: http://www24.brinkster.com/aconference

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