SoS 2007 Fact Sheet

WHAT is it? SOS is a bunch of workshops, forums and presentations on environmental, sustainability and social justice issues. SoS is open to students, activists and anyone who cares about the state of our planet today. SoS provides participants with an opportunity to network with like minded mob from around Australia, keeping themselves informed, inspired and connected.
This year, SoS is coming to Perth!!!

Why is SoS so important?
The conference fulfils a vital role in Australian Environmental Education because no other environment conference attracts such a diverse range of participants. SoS brings together young people, students, activists, community group members, politicians, indigenous people, academics, and members of the general public. This diversity in delegates and speakers allows for a broad spectrum of issues to be addressed: from the corporate sector to student activism, indigenous land management to the recycling industry, this conference offers delegates an extremely broad insight into environmental issues in Australia and the South Pacific. Public concern around issues of sustainability has increased dramatically in recent years, and these issues are often in the media spotlight.

The concept of sustainability is likely to become, of necessity, one of the underlying principles governing our society. For this reason, it is vital that Australians, particularly young Australians, are given the opportunity to fully explore the concept of sustainability and to deepen their understanding of the ethics and logistics behind this concept.

SoS recognises that education is a key aspect in working towards a sustainable future. It is about creating a forum for environmental education that involves everyone, inspires and facilitates lifelong participation, is holistic and creates connections and most importantly is practical. SoS endeavours to provide environmental education using a wide range of information sharing techniques to promote the formulation of a progressive, positive vision for the future.

Aims of SoS
• to inspire ecologically sustainable practices as an alternative - to current societal values
• to empower individuals and groups to bring about positive social and political change through open forums, skill sharing opportunities
• to create national and international networks of environmentally-minded people
• to integrate environmentalism with other progressive movements such as human rights and cultural awareness movements
• and to create a conference that is accessible to as many people as possible.

Respect Nyungar Country!
Indigenous elders from all over Australia will be invited to speak on a range of issues.

International Guests will be Speaking on Issues such as:

Iraq or Iran: The 'war on terror' aka US war for oil control. Iran may soon be
another casualty of the US 'war of terror.'? ?Vieques: (pacific island) successfully ended US training/bombing of their country after years of protest. Relevant to current War Games and SeaSwap joint Aust/US training operations taking place in Australia.
 ?Rwanda: Post genocide democracy. Rwanda currently has 50% representation of women in federal parliament and some really interesting progressive legislation concerning women’s rights.? ?Latin America: Indigenous solidarity! For years Indigenous peoples in Latin America have been struggling for basic rights to life, land, resources, health and education. SoS provides an opportunity for Indigenous peoples to share knowledge, experience and resources.? ?Nepal: Some amazing happenings in Nepal in regards to water rights. (Very relevant to the current water crisis in Australia.)? ?We will also be inviting representatives from Indonesia, West Papua, PNG and Timor.

Local Guests will include Speakers on Climate Change; Co-operatives; LETS; Nuclear Industry; Community Building; War; Cycle Power; Renewable Energy; Womyn’s and Queer Issues; Culture Jamming; Media; Activism; Music; Permaculture; Water issues; and anything else you can think of!!!!

Check Out the Webpage: www.studentsofsustanabledevelopment.org

GET IN TOUCH!
Email us: HYPERLINK "mailto:SOS2007@yahoogroups.com.au" SOS2007@yahoogroups.com.au

Or you can phone an SoS07 organiser on: Bron 0408 862 781 or Tim 0420 225 059.

So Standard ticket $200. Unwaged discount $25. Early Bird $15. From East using Sustainable Transport $45. Own Accomodation $30 Own food $30.

For those out of the loop - we have decided to offer Eastern States crew a discount if they use sustainable transport - the equity clause is for those who can't catch the train or carpool, hitch, walk etc. and it is unreasonable not to give a discount. For example - elderly/disabled or those with small children. - They will still recieve the $45 dollar discount even if they fly.

Especially any eastern states people on this list what do you think of all this?

Agenda

1. Report backs
2. Accommodation
3. Money

1.Report backs

Everyone needs to tell me if they want to be put down for a training day so I can book it. I have to contact a shitload of people but am busy at the moment so that is on delay. I am going to put an ad for SOS in the WACOSS eNews.

Dates out of the Fair Trade Fortnight so we can organise our stall there. Also will send a generic letter of support for SOS which will be edited and we will get people to sign so we can have SOS at UWA, eg. everyone who we think will sign it.

Made a heap of clothes for us to sell at stalls, yay!!! Also will call Karma. Maybe we can do an ad at RTR or at Murdoch.

2. Accommodation
Having chats with the people at St. George's. The cook there says she will do the indigenous cooking for us (yay!), but we have to source food according to guidelines (so we can't go out into the bush and shoot roos). It sounds like the accommodation is going to be fairly expensive...

3. Money
We need to organise a half day where we all meet and fully go for it with writing letters to people and writing up grants for funds. We are mega tight on funds and we need heaps, fundraising can be boring so let's get together and do this. At the moment we are all stretched for time so it has been delayed for now.

Next meeting will be in a fortnight. Let you guys come back with a good time.

BIG SOS07 CATCH UP AND WORKSHOP SESSION - Sunday the 6th of May,
10.30am - 4.00pm.

What!!?? Yes! we are catching-up! Working Groups, your children, New crew,
people who are inspired, people who are obsessed and totally dedicated,
your mums and dads........ And, we will have a guest facilitator.

Where??
'Earthwise Community Center' 315 Baggot Road, Subiaco. In the pink church.

Agenda so far

* Avoiding Burnout Session
* Workshop on 'Creative Organising' with John Croft
* Report-back presentations from all the working groups (you need to dress
up!)
* Plannery for the next 2 months (shockandhorror! time flies) before the
conference!!!!!!!
* Lunch and afternoon tea to share

What to Bring??
* Your sweetself
* Working Group updates; concise and comprehensive, non-faffing and about
15mins, if your working group needs this much time. Photos appreciated!
(If people want to do digital power point stoof, let me know and I will
bring a projector and laptop)

* Foodies to share for lunch. Tea, coffee and afternoon snacks provided.

* Contributions for the 'Coming to Perth' zine, the east coast crew are
gaggin for it:: we need your wordzzzz

Report Backs

Venue
Event and risk management plans have been handed in to UWA, have asked for a response by monday. If dont get a response will go speak to Murdoch on monday.

Bakery gig
Was a huge success!! yay to everyone!!

Food
Are thinking of hiring one chef to run the kitchen for the week- would cost $750-800 More info next week

Rego
Prices were decided for sos – which have been put up in the loop already....
So Standard ticket $200. Unwaged discount $25. Early Bird $15. From East using Sustainable Transport $45. Own Accomodation $30 Own food $30. ??For those out of the loop - we have decided to offer Eastern States crew a discount if they use sustainable transport - the equity clause is for those who can't catch the train or carpool, hitch, walk etc. and it is unreasonable not to give a discount. For example - elderly/disabled or those with small children. - They will still recieve the $45 dollar discount even if they fly.

Speakers dont have to pay