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NEWS & REPORTS
Sept 2004
Newsletter No. 2
CENTER FOR GLOBAL JUSTICE
Research and Learning for a Better World
That's the name selected for our Center at the first meeting
of the Coordinating Committee, September 11. Both parts of this name
were highly popular in a survey taken among Associates. So the CC unanimously
decided to combine them, with the first being the official name and
the second appearing underneath as an explanation of what we do. Holly
Yasui has now designed a logo with it to use on our website and letterhead.
But for shorthand among ourselves, we'll probably still just call it
"the Center".
NEW WEBSITE
The Center now has its own domain name: GlobalJusticeCenter.org
Holly Yasui and Steve Martinot are busy building a new website at that
URL. It will contain the papers from the Workshop in both Spanish and
English along with the discussions of them. Thanks have to go to Mario
Saenz and Miguel Limia for their painstaking note taking during most
of the sessions. That not only gives us a fuller record of what we did
at the Workshop, it also reminds us of the many questions we need to
discuss further. So that the discussion can continue, the website will
be interactive. You will be able to add your comments and reply to one
another.
If any Associate would like to have an e-mail account through our website,
contact Holly at hyasui@GlobalJusticeCenter.org
CENTER FACILITIES
The Center now has a physical location. It's at Calzada de la Luz
42 in the house that adjoins Bob Stone and Betsy Bowman's house. Bob
and Betsy have generously made this available for the Center. It contains
two bedroom-bath suites that can accommodate interns and visiting scholars
and activists. And there is a kitchen where they can prepare food, keeping
living expenses low. This is also where the Center's office and workspace
will be located.
The Center now has two computers: a used laptop and a new desktop. The
laptop was generously donated by Sarah Begus. The desktop was purchased
with funds donated by Center Associates. Two computer workstations with
internet access are being set up in the Center.
There are also the beginnings of a library there. David Stea has offered
to donate to the Center a collection of 200 books, documents and videos
on Mexico. Anyone else have donations for the library?
NYC GATHERING
While in New York City to close up their apartment there, Bob Stone
and Betsy Bowman hosted a reunion of Workshop participants in the area.
They were joined by others interested in the Center. Altogether 29 persons
participated. Way to go Bob and Betsy. Perhaps others of you can similarly
help spread the word.
BISHOP SAMUEL RUIZ
Several members of the Center participated in a consultation with
Bishop Samuel Ruiz on August 22. Held in historic Atotonilco, the discussion
focused on the role of civil associations in working for social justice.
Bishop Ruiz said he had hoped to attend the Workshop on AlterGlobalizations,
but was unable to fit it into his schedule. Samuel Ruiz was formerly
Bishop in San Cristobal de las Casas, where he mediated between the
Zapatistas and the Mexican government. He now lives in retirement in
Queretaro.
CLIFF SPEAKS ON GLOBAL JUSTICE
Cliff DuRand spoke to the local Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship
on "Globalization and Social Justice" on Sunday, September
19. His presentation prompted some lively discussion. Many U-U members
had participated in the Workshop on AlterGlobalizations.
MEXICO STUDY TRIP
With help from the Center, Associate Mario Saenz has organized a
brief introduction to Mexico for nine students from LeMoyne College
during the Thanksgiving break. This study trip begins with a talk on
the evening of November 23 on Contemporary Mexican Politics by noted
Mexican historian Elisa Servin. The next day the students will view
the works of the great Mexican muralists, Rivera, Orozco, and Siqueiros,
and visit the houses of Frida Kahlo and Trotsky in Coyoacan. On the
25th they will visit the ancient city of Teotihuacán guided by
Ross Gandy. Then they will travel to the state of Hidalgo to visit peasant
Cooperatives, then return to Mexico City to spend a day in the fabulous
Museum of Archeology and Anthropology. Congratulations to Mario for
putting together such an interesting experience for his students.
We hope this is the first of many Mexico Study Trips that the Center
will be able to help organize. When are YOU going to do one too? To
talk about it, contact Cliff@GlobalJusticeCenter.org
MEXICO STUDY GROUP
The Center is also organizing a Mexico Study Group for foreigners
living in San Miguel de Allende. The study group will meet regularly
to learn more about their adopted country. They will discuss various
readings about the economy, politics, social structure, history and
culture of this country. To join the group, contact Cliff@GlobalJusticeCenter.org
or call 155-8014 in San Miguel.
RPA NATIONAL CONFERENCE, NOV. 4-7
The Radical Philosophy Association will hold its biannual conference
at Howard University in Washington DC this November 4 to 7. The Center
for Global Justice is presenting a plenary session on "Doing Radical
Research in the Global South." The RPA will decide whether to adopt
the Center as an official project.
250 RPA members are expected to attend this year's conference, whose
theme is "Philosophers Against Empire." You can see the full
program by visiting RPA's website at www.radicalphilosophy.org
DONATIONS WELCOME
The start-up costs for the Center have been covered by $2000 in
donations given by Workshop participants. An additional $1,015 was raised
at the New York gathering that Bob and Betsy hosted. But additional
donations will be needed to carry us through this initial period until
we can develop other sources of revenue. We hope you will seriously
consider making a lump sum donation or a monthly pledge for this first
year. That will enable us to develop a realistic budget and plan our
activities accordingly.
All donations are tax deductible for US taxpayers. Make your check payable
to Research Associates Foundation, Inc. and mail to 1443 Gorsuch Ave.,
Baltimore MD 21218.
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