The working groups convened at two times during the conference:
on June 9 as internal working groups of recipients
on June 11 as public working groups
The overall question for the conference and all working groups was the "overcoming of implementation gaps": How can we bring the solutions RLA recipients stand for to mainstream implementation? The working group topics given below are those that came out of the preparatory process for the conference.
A framework for security for all
Speaker: Angie Zelter, UK
This group would combine peace and conflict resolution with a broader view on security and human rights questions. Issues to be included could be nuclear weapons and non-proliferation, military experiments such as weather modification, and the work with youth to prevent conflict. There is a lot of interest in this group, so it may want to split up in Salzburg.
Torture/Impunity/Reconciliation
Speaker: Inge Genefke, Denmark
This group would deal more specifically with human rights questions and aspects of reconciliation after authoritarian regimes.
Living democracy
Speaker: Nicanor Perlas, Philippines
This group will discuss innovations in public citizen engagement beyond voting. It will also discuss the strengthening of civil society and gender aspects. Another important aspect could be democratic media/communications, e.g. new uses of the internet, local radio, independent media, or low-cost video documentaries.
Sustainable lifestyles
Speaker: Martin von Hildebrand, Colombia
In this group, lifestyles and consumption patterns could be discussed in connection with the role of indigenous peoples and aspects of cultural diversity.
Spiritual renewal and culture
Speaker: Hans-Peter Dürr, Germany
This working group can explore the question of why spirituality will become a central issue in the 21st century. It can do this not by an abstract discussion of spirituality but by looking at the large-scale global challenges humanity is facing today and in the relatively near future that cannot be solved using the materialistic worldview and institutions of the last four hundred years.
Human development
Speaker: Anuradha Mittal, India/USA, RLA jury
The following aspects, which we had earlier suggested to be discussed in separate groups, should be discussed together in this group: Food and water, Safe energy for all, Health and healing, Education and science, as well as Poverty alleviation. If this proves to be too much in Salzburg, the group may want to split up in two.
Nature protection and biodiversity
Speaker: Tewolde Berhan Gebre Egziabher, Ethiopia
Many recipients are interested in this group, which may also cover aspects of global warming.
New concepts of labour and the economy
Speaker: Alice Tepper-Marlin, USA
Issues to be discussed in this group can be unemployment, trade and liberalisation, and local funding systems.
The framing of our vision
Speaker: Hunter Lovins, USA
This group could deal with the question: How do progressives get better at framing their vision so that its is seen as coherent, powerful and practical, not soft and unrealistic or simply a string of issues/demands? Another issue to be discussed in this group could be politics of fear: How do we best counter the use of fear? How to transform fear into energy for positive change? |
