All Power To the People Part I

1:00-1:30

SeniorsNetworkBC has been trying to bring the issues of cutbacks and mean-spirited treatment by the current government of seniors to the front. We have initiated, with allies in the labour movement and the community, several campaigns which have had some success. None of these limited successes have indicated that the Liberal government intends to reverse the program of cuts and victimization to all vulnerable sectors of the society for the benefit of Campbell's wealthy, corporate friends.

This workshop will focus on the need for seniors and their allies to work together to protect and improve health care, pensions, housing and defray negative attitudes toward seniors (ageism).

Attack on Iraq: Not in our names!

1:30-2:30

The people of Iraq, who have suffered twelve years of the virtual siege warfare known as "Sanctions," now face a full-scale military assault by the United States. These sanctions caused over one-million deaths, mostly among children. "Collateral" civilian deaths and injuries in the coming war could be enormous. This workshop will deal with how and why all this happened and what we can do.

YouthCo Theatre Group

2:30-3:30

Through the use of forum theatre, we break down barriers and challenge youth to take on issues around HIV/AIDS and make them relevant to their lives. By way of background, Augusto Boal originally developed a theatre theory called Theatre of the Oppressed. In that tradition, YouthCO’s theatre troupe creates innovative theatre performances about issues related to HIV/AIDS such as sex, sexualities, drugs and relationships. The interactive nature of forum theatre empowers youth by inviting audience members to actively participate in trying to resolve problems facing the characters. Performances are written and performed by youth.

Performers: Tamara Fernandez, Anna Soole, Melanie Bray, Jackie Harrison, Mutya Macatumpag, Marketa Nykl, Caitlin Padgett, Ken Hatlin, Ethan, Jamey Rosenberg and Sheena Sargeant.

Aboriginal Women's Action Network

3:30-4:30

This workshop will focus on the issue of violence against Aboriginal women. AWAN women will present the work that we have done regarding the `missing women', as well as the research conducted on 'alternative justice' and the "Journey for Justice".

All Power To The People Part II: Youth Resist The Liberal Agenda

4:30-5:30

Members from: Check Your Head: (The Youth Global Education Network), Red Wire Magazine & The Filipino-Canadian Youth Alliance share their knowledge in this panel discussion focussing on the effects of Liberal government policies on youth and the ways that their groups are organizing and fighting back. They will address economic globalization and corporate influence as they affect issues of social justice in society and also discuss ways to educate, empower and activate youth. People of all ages are welcome. Facilitated by: Ryan Murphy

All Power To The People Part III: Women's Resistance

5:30-6:30

Members from Joint Effort & The Kimberley Roger's Brigade discuss the effects of current government policies.

Joint Effort is an all women prison abolitionist group involved in solidarity work with women prisoners at the Burnaby Correctional Centre for Women (BCCW). As prisoners' rights activists they hope to expose what the recent government cuts and prison closures means not only to the people who are already in prison in this province, but also to anyone who might find themselves in conflict with the law.

The Kimberly Rogers Womyn's Brigade: On April 25, 2002, The Victoria Anti-Poverty Coalition--Kimberly Rogers Womyn's Brigade, a group of 10 women of varying ages, all living below the poverty line, occupied the office of Victoria MLA, Jeff Bray to protest policy changes by the Government of BC. Facilitated by: Fay Blaney (AWAN)

Kathara Collective: Experiences in cultural work on the island of Mindanao, Philippines.

6:30-7:15

Four experienced cultural workers will share the highs and lows of cultural work as integral elements of the people's move-mentin Mindanao, Philippines. The work of these cultural activists serves a wide range of social sectors- peasants, workers, gays, women, etc. They work on a range of issues, from community access to water, to gender orientation, economic justice and national liberation.

Discussion will focus on the experiences Discussion will focus on the experiences issues or art discipline. These are:

MACVA: Visual Arts Group
KAFI: People's Cultural Institution
Mebuyan: All Women Cultural Collective
Kathara: Indigenous Culture Inspiration
Pro Gay: Cultural Work in the Gay Sector