Outcomes of Workshops

Here are the outcomes of some of the workshops:

- Social Banking

- Alternative Energy Supply

- Coup d'Etat

- Shale Gas / Schiste Gas

- Political Situation in Turkey

- The Struggle of Laz Language

- Privatizations and Cuts

- Anti-Nuclear Struggle

- Compost for the City

- Useless Projects

- Hydroelectric Power Plants in Brazil and north of Turkey

- Struggles and Attacks in the 21st Century

Report: Struggles and Attacks in the 21st Century

The outcome of Struggles and Attacks in the 21st Century - Ekoloji Kollektifi, part1

Is the problem capitalism or industrialism?
Industrialism in “socialist” was still based on the capitalist model. It is capitalism that inevitable destroys the environment.

What solutions are proposed within capitalism and why are these not viable
a) A market in “permits to pollute”: ineffective and treats climate as a commodity
b) A green “new deal”: still depends on growth
c) Techno-fixes like carbon capture & storage or African solar farms: too big and often imperialist
Capitalism will not allow ecological solutions because og its need for growth and its short term pursuit of profit.

Are there viable alternative solutions
A complete model of the solution, a green socialist society, is not possible. Principles include:
sustainability, , no delibeate obsolescence, lowing down, common ownership, no profit motive, localism, direct democracy, self government. Solutions cannot be mediated by money.

Report: Hydroelectric Power Plants in Brazil and north of Turkey

The outcome of Hydroelectric Power Plants in Brazil and north of Turkey

(Recolonization and Popular Struggle Against Merchandisation of Natural Common Goods in Our America - COMPA)

[Portuguese a baixa]

In this discussion it was possible to discuss different dam projects in Brazil and Turkey with different objectives, but with many features in common. The expansion project of the Brazilian government energy generates an incalculable environmental and social impact in the Amazon region, and there are indications that this energy expansion will not be restricted to Brazil, as other Latin countries as Bolivia, Peru and others also need to generate more power.

Through this exchange of experiences was shown a partnership between resistance groups in Turkey who are fighting against the installation of dams on one of its major rivers, as well as in Brazil is building an integrated group around the resistance against the installation of the largest dams of history of the Amazon. This effort to link the fight in defense of the four Amazonian rivers, which must undergo this process, and the two Turkish rivers is very important to amplify the strength of this campaign.

Nesta discussão foi possível discutir diferentes projetos de barragens no Brasil e na Turquia com diferentes objetivos, mas com muitas características em comum. O projeto de expansão energética do governo brasileiro gera um impacto ambiental e social incalculável na região amazônica, e há indicações de que esta expansão energética não ficará restrita ao Brasil, pois outros países latinos como Bolívia, Peru entre outros também precisam gerar mais energia.

Através desta troca de experiências foi sinalizada uma parceria entre grupos de resistência na Turquia que lutam contra a instalação de barragens em um dos seus principais rios, assim como no Brasil está se formando um grupo integrado em torno da resistência contra a instalação das maiores barragens da história da Amazônia. Este esforço de ligar a luta em defesa dos quatro rios amazônicos, que devem sofrer este processo, e os dois rios turcos é de suma importância para amplificar a força desta campanha.

Report: Useless Projects

The outcome of Useless Projects (Struggle Against the Notre Dame des Landes Airport) - Les Alternatifs

The establishment a new airport at NDDL means the destruction of 2000 ha of agricultural land and the dismantling of farms and their households. It is a useless project without economic results which denies democracy. Against it almost 40 organizations (trade unions, parties, inhabitants of the area, users' associations.. and the alternatifs) joined forces in order to provide legal and psychological support. How do the Alternatifs see their role in this coordination? They have enlarged the local struggle (music festival, mass pic-nic..) making it to a national and political concern, so that the usual disparaging comments “They are only a few inhabitants, a few greens” could be avoided.

1.The struggle went through different organizations and fought for unity in a big meeting at NDDL.

2.The Alternatifs gave a national and international resonance by inviting famous personalities.

3.We asked the coordinate at the presidential elections to commit themselves to an abolition of this project

4.1000 elected representatives set up a venture to raise money for a new independent survey which led to the same results as ours.

5.It took a hunger strike lasting 28 days involving representations, inhabitants and peasants to obtain the suspension of land evictions as François Hollande was made to promise such a step.

6.And now we this project to other useless projects through a European Forum which is taking place from the of July at NDDL itself.

Report: Compost for the City

The outcome of Compost for the City - Consumers' Rights Association, Mersin

We are from Consumers Rights Association's in Mersin. We're looking for solutions to make organic surface of the cities into the compost. In 2005,we started the project for compost and our movement centers are our schools and women. For separates organic items for compost, we have communicated NGOs, organizations, associations, foundations, some places which supply food only. We gave them seminars have to separate organic surface for compost. Also, we applied some examples in schools. Now, we've signature campaign municipalities to support and take responsibility. We continued this project along with universities. ETO( Organic Agree-Cultural Organizations) and ECOTAR ( Control and Certificate of Ecological Agree-Cultural Organizations). During the workshop, we have listened and learned experiences about compost from foreigner participator which are very important infos we believe. For example, in the santral separation compost building. If the oxygen level pass the %50, there might be an explosion.

Report: Anti-nuclear Struggle

The outcome of Anti-Nuclear Struggles - SOS Istanbul, Yeşil ve Sol, RAGA Spain

There is an anti-nuclear struggle in Spain against a construction project of a nuclear waste deployment. In local terms, it will destroy the recently emerging ecological agriculture in the region and accelerate the ongoing emigration from the region. Although the nuclear lobby is running a big campaign involving the media and the government, the nationwide campaign has a strong tradition and considers the project as an opportunity to highlight the shift of power to bigger enterprises as well as underlining the ecological destruction of nuclear power in general.

On the other hand, the Anti-nuclear Platform in Turkey had a 20-year struggle against the first nuclear power plant project in the country. The projects were suspended 10 years ago, but were reintroduced by the current government, who shows a determined attitude towards the two projects, one on the north and one on the south. The main argument of the anti-nuclear movement is that the projects are located in earthquake locations.

Report: Privatizations and Cuts

The outcome of

The Struggles Against the Privatizations and Cuts in Public Services in the Area of Villarrobledo - RAGA Spain, Les Alternatifs

and

Privatization of Water - Les Alternatifs

La Mancha is rural without historical political struggle until recently. 2011's public service cuts in health and education mobilized people not previously politically engaged, ie school children's parents.

The biggest of 7 street demonstrations involved 4000 people from Villarobledo. Workers from different organizations headed the movement in turn so it remained “democratically horizontal”. This approach engendered no new organizing body although other meetings resulted in some being co-opted into trade unions so they left the movement.

Others remained in the movement. In conclusion, although their claims were not heard, many people reached a higher level of consciousness and will remain in the movement. They will hopefully find new ways through direct action of challenging bureaucracy.

Report: Political Situation in Turkey

The outcome of Political Situation in Turkey - Özgürlük ve Dayanışma Partisi (Freedom and Solidarity Party)

When the nature of AKP's government is analyzed, it would be seen that it is a continuation of the military intervention in 1980. It applied the neoliberal policies with its social-ideological hegemony. Meanwhile, it had done away all power relations and established the 2.Republic regime. The citizens of this new republic are designed to be submissive, religious and hateful. The regime highlights limitless market mechanisms and cooperation with the US in the Middle East. Its reflections to Turkish people are human rights violations, poverty, and ecological degradation. Also the active cooperation policies in the Middle East threaten the peace opportunities.

Report: Shale gas / Schiste gas

The outcome of Shale Gas - Les Alternatifs, Alliance for Green Socialism

The world is running out of oil & gas. Capitalism has a huge investment in oil/gas infrastructure and use, so tries sources that are more difficult and more expensive, such as schiste gas. Traditional oil and gas is in large continuous fields, easy to drill into.  Schiste gas distributed in millions of tiny separate pockets. It is extracted by drilling down, then along horizontally, breaking up the rock formations, pumping in water & chemicals, and pumping out the gas.

Bad effects include:
- poisoning the ground and the water supply with chemicals (they will not disclose what chemicals they use)
- releasing methane, a very powerful greenhouse gas causing global warming
- changing the geological structure, causing earthquakes
- impact of thousands of surface well-heads

An underlying problem is that, if it were successful, schiste gas would lock us in to using fossil fuels, generating greenhouse gases, for a long time.

In France there is a powerful (but unevenly distributed) mobilisation against schiste gas, strongest in the south east (a demonstration of 20,000 in a village), based on citizens and local collectives, and acknowledged by political parties. Fifty municipalities have declared against schiste gas.Over 60 exploration licences have been granted. A law of July 2011 prohibits fracking – but the government has revoked nonky only three licences so far..

There is schiste gas, and interest in extracting it, in much of the rest of Europe, from Sweden to Hungary to Spain. Most governments favour schist gas at least in principle. Poland has large amounts and would like less dependence on Russia. Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria would like more energy independence.

In Bulgaria exploration started in 2009 but has now been halted by protests. In Romania exploration has been stopped. Germany has paused exploration for further study by a commission. In Britain, exploration has been paused for further study of the seismic impact, after earthquakes caused by fracking.

In the USA there are over a million production wells.

Since the international water alternative summit in March 2012, a European network against fracking has been set up, with another meeting in, Sep 2012. The people’s summit in rio in June 2012 issued a resolution signed by dozens of people with the support of a score of organisations.

In France, a defensive struggle – the fight against schiste gas – poses the question of transition to different forms of energy. The defensive fight moves into a constructive phase..

Report: Coup d'Etat

Outcome of Coup d'Etat - Platform of 12 September & COMPA

The representer of the platform of 12 September, İlke Acar told about the process of cart and its evolution. Also background of military coup and the importance of court were mentioned by her.

The parliamentary Coup D'etat which occurred in Paraguay on the 22nd of June is essentially declined to comfort the power of the oligarchy and (yo) empower the Agra-business corporations. After the several attempts in Ecuador and Bolivia, and particularly three years after the coup d'etat in Honduras, it forecasts a new cycle of destabilization toward changing oriented processes in Latin America in order to protect leading classes interests and gain control over natural resources.

TURKEY

A law suit has been brought against the military officers who made the military coup in 12 Sep 1980. It is backed by actions including demonstrations, vigils and legal support. Much support from the families of those killed. The question is who should try them: AKP court v revolutionary court

LATIN AMERICA

The USA traditionally controlled Latin America by military coups (eg ‘64 Brazil, ‘73 Chile)

characterised by neo-liberalism and state violence. From the ‘90s there were more democratic governments and left governments. In ’08 in Honduras there was a military/constitutional coup. In ’12 in Paraguay there was a constitutional coup against a popular president with little congressional support. The USA seeks control of a major water resource across Paraguay, Brazil & Argentina.

Report: Alternative Energy Supply

The outcome of Social Banking and Alternative Energy Supply - Les Alternatifs

This cooperative has 10000 members. As in France in 2004 energy supply was declared as free, renewable energy could be sold through the public network. Local organizations look for new producers. The benefits of the year are invested in new projects for clean energy but the state brakes: at the beginning of “the free market” you could not abandon the new supplier which you had chosen. Now you may and the state prefers to give money to individuals who buy a technical pump than to finance projects for clean energy.

Report: Social Banking

The output of Social Banking and Alternative Energy Supply - Les Alternatifs

The first question was: how can a bank be social? Or alternative?

On this French Bank there are 26 000 members who have a capital of 24 Million Euros. In theory, each member has a voice and can decide on the bank's development. In each region there are members who choose which projects they encourage. This bank is not involved in financial projects worldwide, it has an ethical purpose: to build a bridge between savers and borrowers who carry sustainable meeting cultural, social, and ecological criteria and local development. Members have to pay a beginning share and they can use La Nef as a normal bank with a current account but members are asked to share the interests with the borrowers, so that borrowers have percentage interests to pay, they just pay the capital back. The savers have a tax relief.