Open debate 21/5 in Balie
mocakauk@planet.nl - 11.05.2004 21:42
Another World is possible if ... political freedoms are guaranteed. Political Liberties and 'The War on Terrorism' Open debate,
Friday 21st May 2004 20h00 - 22h00 De Balie, Amsterdam
For thirty years, Nelson Mandela was imprisoned as a "terrorist", a notion supported at the time by many Western governments, most infamously Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan, but today is
venerated as the man who brought South Africa to democracy. As oft been quoted, "One person's terrorist is another's freedom fighter". Terrorism has traditionally been defined in distinction from armed struggle, which does not target civilians, by oppressed or colonized
peoples in situations where avenues for political negotiations have been closed by the ruling forces. The 'War on Terrorism' today is in danger of making no such distinctions, with profound implications not only for political and civil liberties here and elsewhere, particularly of Moslems, but indeed for peace negotiations and conflict resolution in many parts of the world - from Colombia, to Palestine, the Philippines. The EU has recently appointed a Dutch politician, Gijs de Vries to serve as its first anti- terrorism coordinator. What is his perspective? The EU Accord
on countering terrorism was introduced in March, what are the implications for civil and political liberties in Europe? Is The Netherlands under threat from terrorism? What is a progressive response to terrorism? These are some of the issues we will be grappling with at this public
discussion.
TNI brings to Amsterdam three eminent people from parts of the world directly affected by armed conflict and who have thought through these issues. They hope to discuss their experiences and ideas with you.
Speakers:
- Achin Vanaik, Indian journalist/author, Asian Peace Alliance
- Jochen Hippler, Peace and Development Studies Centre,University of Duisberg, Germany
- Praful Bidwai, specialist on religion and conflict in the South Asian context, journalist/author, Asian Peace Alliance, India
Chair: Kees Biekart, International expert, Senior Lecturer in Political Sociology at the Institute of Social Studies, The
Netherlands.
---------------------------------------------Another World is Possible if ... is a TNI Public Discussion Series, co-sponsored by NCDO
Transnational Institute
Paulus Potterstraat 20
1071 DA Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Tel: +31 20 662 6608
fax: +31 20 675 7176
 http://www.tni.org
 E-Mail: mocakauk@planet.nl
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