7th International Meeting of the International Women's Network Against Militarism
September 14-19, 2009 - University of Guam campus, Mangilao, Guam
The International Women's Network Against Militarism was formed in 1997 when forty women activists, policy-makers, teachers, and students from South Korea, Okinawa, mainland Japan, the Philippines, and the continental United States gathered in Okinawa to strategize together about the negative effects of the US military in each of their countries. In 2000, women from Puerto Rico who opposed the US Navy bombing training on the island of Vieques also joined, and in 2004, women from Hawaii. Guam representation joined in the most recent gathering in San Francisco in 2007. The network is not a membership organization, but a collaboration of among women active in our own communities who share a common mission. Women for Genuine Security hosted the 6th international meeting in the Bay Area.
Following the United States' Military Realignment Plan developed in response to terrorist attacks of September 11, Guahan was designated to undergo an "unprecedented" military build-up likening it to the "Tip of the Spear" of US military might. The anticipated build-up on Guahan inclusive of the relocation of 8,000 Marines from Okinawa, Japan has been described as the most drastic in recent history. Guahan anticipates many changes associated with a population influx of nearly 1/3 the island's current population. Many unresolved concerns impacting the people of Guahan remain such as: military violence against women and children, environmental contamination secondary to military practices, human trafficking, and political self-determination. In light of the fact that Guahan is an American colony, the continued exploitation of the island for its resources is especially appalling in light of the limited commitments being made to improve the island's systems that will be impacted by the build-up (ex: infrastructure, social service system, etc.). Hence, with Guahan as the site for the 7th international meeting, international attention will be focused on the island and the concerns being raised relative to the proposed build-up. This attention will assist Guam-based proponents who are concerned with the impact of the build-up to articulate our concerns at the international level and will afford women here to participate in setting an international agenda.
DRAFT AGENDA
Theme: "Resistance, Resilience, and Respect for Human Rights"
"CHinemma', Nina'maolek, yan Inarespetu para Direchon Taotao'"
September 14 (Monday)
8:30 - 4:30 PM: Pre-Conference Session on Human Traffic facilitated by SAGE, from San Francisco, California. Location: GUAHAN Project, Tamuning, Guahan
6:30 PM: Welcome Reception: Traditional welcome from Saina Benit Dungca, presentation of Legislative Commendation Resolution to the network, and cultural dancers (Inetnon Gef Pago). Location: TBD
September 15 (Tuesday) CLOSED MEETING
9:00 AM - 12 Noon: Network participants' sharing of country reports
1:00 - 5:00 PM: Review of network goals from 6th meeting and appraisal of progress towards meeting goals AND discussion on network name.
5:00 - 6:00 PM: Dinner. Location: Carmel on the Hill Retreat Center
6:30 - 8:30 PM: Public Forum on political arrangements with the United States
Panelists:Terry Kekoo'lani, Nation of Hawai'i'; Maria Reinat Pumarejo, Puerto Rico;Hope A. Cristobal, Guahan; Corazon Fabros, Philippines.
Location: University of Guam Lecture Hall
September 16 (Wednesday)
9:30 AM: All Day Guam Bus Tour- Visits to historical sites, military base gates, war monuments, anticipated site of Marine location, and cultural sites (to include the Hurao Cultural Camp, Lina'la' Cultural Center, Angel Santos Memorial Park, an ancestral desecration site, Gef Pago, etc.).
5:30 - 6:30 PM - Dinner at the university for international participants
6:30 - 8:30 PM: Public Forum of representatives from Okinawa, South Korea, Marshall Islands, Japan, and Australia. Location: University of Guam Lecture Hall
September 17 (Thursday) COMMUNITY CONFERENCE. Location: University of Guam, Leon Guerrero Building Lecture Hall
8:00 - 8:30 AM: Registration and continental breakfast
8:30 - 9:15 AM: Welcoming remarks/peace prayer/opening chants
9:15 - 10:00 AM: Rethinking peace and security: Genuine security as rooted in the United Nation's concept of human security.
Presenter: Dr. Gwyn Kirk, a foundering member, Women for Genuine Security, the U.S.-based group of the International Network.
10:00 - 12:30 PM: Panel presentation: "Beyond the Military Economy: Exploring Alternatives for Sustainability"
Presenters:
Alma Bulawan, Buklod, Philippines
You Kyong Ko, National Campaign for Eradication of Crimes by U.S. Troops in Korea, South Korea
Zita Pangelinan, Haya Foundation, Guahan
___________, Japan
Hannah Middleton, Australian Anti-Bases Campaign, Sydney, Australia
1:30 - 3:00 PM: Panel Presentation: "Environmental contamination and toxicity: Reclaiming our physical environments through clean-up, health and healing practices"
Presenters:
You Kyoung Ko, South Korea
Representative from Majuro, Republic of Marshall Islands
Lisa Baza, Conscious Living, Guahan
Representative from Vieques, Puerto Rico
Ellen-Rae Cachola, Women for Genuine Security, Hawai'i'
Dolly Yanan, Metro Subic Network, Philippines
3:15 - 5:00 :00 PM: Panel Presentation "Military training and violence against women and children: How do we keep ourselves safe?"
Presenters:
Suzuyo Takazato, Okinawa, Japan
Fuetsan Famalao'an, Guahan
Corazon Lotlot Requirzo, Kaisa Ka, Philippines
5:00 PM: Wrap Up and Announcement of Community Spiritual Healing Walk and peaceful demonstration
5:30 PM: Community Walk to Honor the Past and Heal for the Future
Location: Angel Santos Memorial Park, Hagatna.
6:30 - 7:30 PM- Dinner for international participants, location TBA
SEPTEMBER 18, 2009
COMMUNITY CONFERENCE DAY 2
Location: Carmel on the Hill Retreat Center
Focus: Where do we go from here?
8:00 - 8:30 AM: Registration and continental breakfast
8:30 - 9:00 AM: Welcoming remarks and review of day's tasks
9:00 - 10:30 AM: "Human trafficking and Prostitution: Towards a Woman-Centered Policy Framework"
Presenters:
Annie Fukushima, University of California at Berkeley
_______________, Human Trafficking Coalition, Guahan
____________, South Korea
Aida Santos, WeDpro, Inc., Philippines
Lauri Ogumoro, Karidat Esperanza House, Commonwealth of the North Mariana Islands
Sue Gilbey, Adelaide, Australia
Moderator: Dr. Vivian Dames
10:30 - 12:00 Noon: Regional/country working group meetings to develop specific short and long-term goals.
12:00 - 1:30 PM: Lunch
1:30 - 4:30 PM: Connecting regional/country working group short and long-term goals to setting national and international initiatives. Discussion of future actions.
4:30 - 5:00 PM: Wrap up and announcement of Public Art Event from 6:30-9PM
5:00 - 6:00 PM: Dinner for international participants
6:30 - 8:00 PM: Public Art Event to include premiere showing of "Along the Fenceline: Women's Voices on Peace and Security", demilitarizing fashion show, shoes display, sale of international women-made goods, and local art show.
Location: University of Guam Lecture Hall
September 19 (Saturday)
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM: Informal meeting and networking at Urunao Beach. Explanation of Urunao as a Superfund Site. Healing ritual at latte stone site and farewells.
***Ongoing media coverage on radio, TV, magazines, and newspaper. Blitzes to go out to local, national, and international media.***