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NEW MOON UPDATE
September 2006
UPDATES FROM THE SOUTH
First Achuar Bi-National Congress a Success!
More than 120 delegates from 94 Achuar communities, six federations and two countries gathered in San Lorenzo, Peru from August 9th to 11th. The first ever Bi-National Congress of the Achuar of Ecuador and Peru was an important milestone and a great success! The indigenous nationality has been divided for more than half a century. As a result of the border imposed on them by the governments of Ecuador and Peru, parents and children, brothers and sisters, and extended family have been subjected to an enforced separation. Although they have been divided, these two halves of the Achuar cultural identity (comprised of more than 5,000 in Ecuador and 7,000 in Peru) are facing very similar obstacles and challenges in their respective battles with their nation-states and with threats to their ways of life. They are united in the thinking expressed by one delegate: "We were the first inhabitants, we were and we are the owners of this Amazonian land...but no one consults us, they make war, they divide us and there is nothing left for our communities."
Major themes that the congress focused on were: the territorial legalization process in both Ecuador and Peru, the participation of the Achuar in alternative governments, the impact of oil exploration and extraction in both countries, and advances in the Achuar educational process in each context. Delegates heard presentations by the NGOs that collaborate with the Achaur from both countries (including Pachamama), participated in theme-based round tables, listened to plenary sessions, and took part in group brainstorming and concept mapping. They also spent time reflecting on common problems, elected a new directive council for the Bi-National Coordinator and approved a plan of action for the coming four years. Delegates produced a list of official resolutions and future actions based around the themes of the Congress (Governance, Territory, Education and Petroleum) as well as some general ones, including: "The Achuar Nationality of Ecuador and Peru rejects petroleum activities in its ancestral territories." The leaders also resolved to consider the themes of Health and Economic Development at the next Bi-National Congress, along with updates on the themes of this year's effort.
The Congress also organized a march through the town of San Lorenzo for the rights of the Achuar, issuing a call to everyone to participate: "...poverty, marginalization, the interference of powerful transnational companies, threaten the life, the health, the economy and the independence of everyone; we invite, then, our indigenous brothers and the entire population of San Lorenzo to join us in the closing ceremony of the Congress of the Bi-National Coordinator of the Achuar Nationality of Ecuador and Peru, and to attend the grand march for the respect of collective rights... Achuar Brothers, Brothers of other indigenous nationalities...our life, the future of our children...of our mother forest, is threatened!"
UPDATE FROM THE NORTH
Awakening the Dreamer Facilitator Trainings to Start Up in New York and Arizona
The Awakening the Dreamer Initiative continues to gain momentum as two additional trainings programs begin in the Fall to train people to be facilitators of the Awakening the Dreamer Symposium. In addition to the Facilitator training taking place in London, England, in September, trainings will be offered in New York starting in late September, and in Tucson, Arizona, starting in October.
The training program is for people who have completed a Symposium and want to be trained to facilitate (or lead) the Symposium, and also for those who want to fulfill other leadership roles in bringing Symposiums to their local communities-"Symposium Community Leaders."
There are Facilitators and Community Leaders who are now putting on Symposiums across the United States-in Boston, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Santa Fe, Washington D.C., and Philadelphia, to name only a few of the cities and towns-and now internationally, in London and Bali, and soon in Australia and New Zealand.
In the East, there will be two two-day residential training weekends at the Jeronimo Retreat Center, in the Catskill Mountains, about 1-1/2 hours north of New York City. Those weekends begin with dinner at 6 pm on Friday evening and go until about 5:30 pm on Sunday. The dates for the two East Training weekends are Friday evening, September 29 through Sunday, October 1, and Friday evening, October 27 through Sunday, October29.
In the West, there will be an extended training weekend, beginning Thursday evening, October 12 through Sunday, October 15. This training will be held at a rural retreat center near Tucson, Arizona. The final portion of both East and West Trainings will be a two-day, non-residential "practicum," held in smaller, local regional groups.
For more information, call Farhan Rehman or Luke Taylor at 415-561-4522 x105, or click here....
UPCOMING EVENTS
A Gathering for Emerging Leaders of All Ages:
Transformational Activism to Birth a New Cultural Paradigm
September 10-15 - Rhinebeck, NY: Sponsored by the Institute of Noetic Sciences, with collaboration of The Pachamama Alliance. A learning community of healers, elders, social artists, activists, and visionaries, in an experiential journey to:
* Connect to our authentic selves and the larger vision for our planet
* Discover new paradigm practices and models for transformative leadership
* Explore ways to shift personal, group, and global consciousness
* Deepen the connection between your inner work and your outer work
* Co-create powerful networks, projects, and communities to transform our world.
For more information or to register, click here....
Venus by Daylight
Tuesday, September 12 - San Francisco: Join us for a special monthly gathering as scientist, author and sustainability advisor George Basile provides a look at how our own biology helps us and hinders us as we seek personal happiness on a thriving planet. In this discussion George will describe lessons from over a decade of work in the pursuit of global sustainability and personal transformation. Moving between scientist, consultant and educator, George will describe and discuss how evolving insights into the human mind and body can aid in the intersection between finding our bliss and being part of a regenerative biosphere and society. George is a scientist who has become an advisor to some of today's most influential decision makers. He holds a Ph.D. in Biophysics from UC Berkeley. He served as Executive Vice President and Chief Scientist for Natural Step International, an international research and consulting think tank focused on strategic sustainability. George is currently advising on a new international Center for Global Leadership.
For more information click here.... To RSVP, click here...
AltWheels Alternative Transportation Festival
September 22 - 24 -Boston and Brookline, MA: The largest event of its kind on the East Coast! One stop, everything you ever wanted to learn and do on sustainable transportation and energy. See a wide variety of alternatives to high-emissions transportation: hybrids, hydrogen-fuel-cell, electric, solar, vegetable-oil, bio-diesel, e85/ethanol and compressed-natural-gas vehicles, bikes, scooters, antique cars, smart design and more. Industry experts, workshops, entertainment, test rides, sustainable food, family fun and more. This annual, high-profile event came about from a Pachamama member's two trips to Ecuador, and her commitment to create a way to help alter the way people in the modern world live their lives. Great for families, kids, business professionals, educators, urban planners, environmentalists and the curious. For more information click here... or call 508-698-6810. Takes place at Boston's City Hall Plaza (FREE) and Brookline’s Larz Anderson Auto Museum ($7 includes admission to Museum).
Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream Symposium
Saturday, October 14, 2006 - 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM San Francisco: The Symposium explores the link between three of humanity's most critical concerns: environmental sustainability, social justice and spiritual fulfillment. Using video clips from some of the world's most respected thinkers, along with inspiring short films, leading edge information and dynamic group interactions, the Symposium allows participants to gain a new insight into the very nature of our time and the opportunity we have to shape and impact the direction of our world with our everyday choices and actions. For more information about the Symposium click here..., and to register click here....
Awakening the Dreamer Symposium at Annual Bioneers Conference
Saturday, October 21, 2:45-6:00 pm: The Pachamama Alliance will present the Awakening the Dreamer: Changing the Dream Symposium in two parts at the Bioneers Annual Conference. "Change the Dream of the Modern World." is what the leaders of the Achuar people told the Pachamama Alliance ten years ago would be the only lasting solution to the threats to their home. This symposium will provide an opportunity to examine the dream driving the environmental, justice and spiritual crisis of the industrial world and to participate in bringing forth a new emerging dream that combines indigenous values of Earth communion with the brilliance of visionary technology. For more information on the Bioneers Conference and to register, click here.... To find out more about the Awakening the Dreamer Symposium, click here....
Annual Fundraising Luncheon
Wednesday, November 15th - San Francisco: Please join us for the Tenth Annual Pachamama Alliance Fundraising Luncheon, 12 Noon to 1:30 pm at the Festival Pavilion, at Fort Mason, San Francisco. Come to this popular, well-attended annual event to find out about the unique work of Pachamama both in the rainforest and here at home, and what you can do to bring forth an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling, and socially just human presence on this planet.
Space is limited; reserve your place early by contacting your Table Captain, calling 415-561-4522 or click here... to reserve online. If you would like information on how to become a Table Captain or volunteer, please contact Natalie Doel at 415-561-4522 x109 or click here....
NEW MOON ACTION
Re-route Your Commute
Get more creative about how to get around. Walk or bike to work one day or more a week and save money on gas and parking while improving your health. If you live far from your workplace, investigate the option of telecommuting. If your streets are not conducive to biking or walking, consider lobbying your municipal government to increase spending on sidewalks and bike lanes. Consider selling your car and join a car sharing program!
For more information,
click here...
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Pachamama Wish List
One way that you can support the work of Pachamama is by donating useful
items that the organization needs. Our current list includes: Mac computers
(OS 10), portable printers, frequent flyer miles, portable
speakers, flip chart easel (heavy duty), conference and director chairs, and
music stands. Can you help us out? To make a donation, please contact Rhiannon Gillespie at
415-561-4522 x101 or email...
RELATED NEWS
Good Stuff? - A Consumption Manifesto
by Umbra Fisk, Grist Magazine: Consumption is one of life's great pleasures. Buying things we crave, traveling to beautiful places, eating delectable food. Too often, however, the effects of our blissful consumption make for a sad story; giant cars exhaling dangerous exhaust, hog farms pumping out noxious pollutants, toxic trash heaps nudging into poor neighborhoods. But there's no need to swap pleasure for guilt. With thoughtfulness and commitment, consumption can be a force for good. For the full story, click here...
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