Community Currency Events/Conferences

Here are the upcoming events/conferences on community currencies, transforming the global economy, and related themes (currently 9-11 is my main focus). It is not enough to simply protest, and I want to list gatherings where people are working on positive alternatives, as well. If you know of an event that is missing from this list, please send it to me cbrouillet@igc.org and I'll add it on.

• Calendar of Protests All the time, Throughout the World
  I cannot keep track of all the protests against globilization, the W.T.O., the M.A.I., the F.T.A.A., I.M.F., World Bank, military interventions,... but these links are the most comprehensive that I know of-
  http://www.protest.net.

  

• Listening for a Change- On the Eleventh of Every Month 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Lytton Plaza, Palo Alto (University x Emerson)
  
  Since October 2001, every Wednesday, except when it is raining; I have set up tables, banners, chairs, food, educational material, and created a space for public dialogue on key issues. Beginning in November 2007, I am doing this on a monthly basis, on the 11th of every month. We ask the public three questions and write down their responses-

  What do you think/feel about the events of September 11th and the U.S. government's response?

  How could we defuse terrorism?"

  How could we create a safer/better world for our children and all children?

  Sponsored by Women's International League for Peace and Freedom and Northern California 9-11 Truth Alliance All welcome. For more information call Carol Brouillet 650-857-0927.

• 2009 Summer Institute
  After the Economic Meltdown:
  Building a Solidarity Economy
  
  July 12-17, 2009
  World Fellowship Center, Conway, N.H.
  Organized by The Center for Popular Economics & the N.H. Program of the AFSC

  Learn how the economy works and gain tools to make your activism more effective.

  CPE’s Summer Institute CPE’s Summer Institute is a week-long intensive training in economics for activists, educators, and anyone who wants a better understanding of economics. We focus on how economic systems impact our lives and work every day. Our trainings are highly participatory and build on the knowledge and experience of our participants. No background in economics is required.

  Core Classrooms At the heart of the Summer Institute program are two core courses, one on the U.S. Economy, one on the International Economy. All participants must choose one core course. The core classes meet each day in the mornings. Below is a sample of topics.

  U.S. Economy
  Economy, race, class and gender
  Personal to global economic histories
  Labor and the workplace
  Roots of the Economic Meltdown & policy solutions (eg. fiscal & monetary)
  An intro. to international economics
  Economic alternatives

  International Economy
  Brief history of the global economy
  International trade
  International production
  International finance, roots of the Economic Meltdown and solutions
  Creating a new world economy

  Afternoon and evening events: In addition to the core courses is a rich selection of workshops, panels and discussion groups. We are also planning a special field trip to Bretton Woods where global economic structures such as the IMF, World Bank, and global trade agreements were hammered out after WWII. There will also be time for relaxation, recreation and networking.

  Special Track: After the Economic Meltdown:
  Each year, we choose an issue area that we focus on in the workshops and panels as well as in the core classrooms. Given the global economic crisis the clear choice was to focus on not only understanding the roots of the crisis, but how to get beyond it for the long term. This year’s special track will look at:
  • How did we get into this economic mess? Was it individual greed or the way the system is rigged?
  • What drives these booms and busts? Why do they happen on a regular basis?
  • Could the economic crisis have been avoided?
  • Is there a better way - one that puts people and planet front and center?
  • What is the solidarity economy all about?

  Participants have described these courses as ‘inspiring, intense, stimulating, comprehensive.” We cover a lot of material in a short amount of time, which can be both challenging and rewarding. All participants must choose one core course. The core classes meet each day in the mornings.

  Fees: The fee for tuition for the week is based on a sliding scale of $125-250. If you feel that you cannot afford these fees, we have a limited number of scholarships.

  The cost of food & lodging is in addition to the program fee. Fees for food and lodging range from $294 for camping to $613 for the best single at the World Fellowship Center.

  Academic and professional development credit is available through the UMass-Amherst Continuing education Department.

  Earn 3 undergraduate or graduate credits; 67.5 Professional Development Points; or 6.75 Continuing Education Units. More Details at- http://www.populareconomics.org/summer_new.htm For more information email: programs@populareconomics.org or call us at (413) 545-0743.

  Location and Facilities: The Summer Institute will be held at the beautiful World Fellowship Center (WFC), a retreat center “with a social conscience.” World Fellowship is an inter-generational summer camp and conference center with a mission of promoting peace and social justice through education and dialog inspired by nature. There are a variety of housing options available. Please visit the WFC website (www.worldfellowship.org) or call 603-447-2280 for more info. and to reserve a space. Academic and professional development credit:

• Tri-City Documentary Series presents 9/11: Blueprint for Truth
  Saturday, July 18th at 1:30 pm
  Fremont Main Library
  2400 Stevenson Blvd at Paseo Padre, Fremont
  510-745-1400
  Admission Free
  Part of a series of documentary films organized by www.TriCityPerspectives.org
  San Francisco Bay Area architect, Richard Gage, AIA, founder of a,a href="http://www.ae911truth.org">ae911Truth.org makes powerful use of video footage to provide the myth-shattering, scientific forensic evidence of the explosive controlled demolition of all three WTC high-rise buildings on September 11, 2001.

  "Exposes the "official" story.... highly recommended to all who seek facts and careful analysis of what really happened that day." Dr. Steven E. Jones, Physicist.

  Discussion following the film will be led by Kamal Obeid, Structural Engineer, member of Architects and Engineers for 9/11 Truth.

• The 5th Annual AMI 2009 Monetary Reform Conference
  
  Sept. 24–27, 2009
  Roosevelt University in Chicago, Illinois
  Main Themes of the Conference: Implementing Monetary Reform now! At the forefront of the Conference will be a description of the essential elements of monetary reform needed to "get the snake out of the house." A program for achieving the reforms will be discussed at length.

  This conference will continue to examine the problem of usury. What is it exactly? Is it a necessary part of "free market economics," or is it a destroyer of nations, or is it both? The present false definition of usury as excessive interest, was foisted on economics by Jeremy Bentham, who also devised utilitarianism - dropping morality in favor of supposed results. But the real concept of usury is the anti-social misuse of the money mechanism for private gain. The conference continues to help revive this classical concept of usury and relate it to how our present privatized monetary system malfuntions, for example in creating the present banking crisis.

  Because the world is still in danger of sliding into an unimaginable disaster in the Middle-East, the conference will also focus on how a privately controlled money system such as we presently have in the U.S. leads to warfare by providing the financial motivation for starting unnecessary wars. Several presentations will describe the banking mechanisms that lead to war and how to eradicate those flaws. Everyone has heard that banking and wars are related, but only a handful of people understand how.

  A Different Kind of Monetary Conference

  The situation in which knowledgeable monetary reformers find ourselves is that after years of studying monetary history and theory, we already know many if not most of the broad shapes that monetary reform should take. We know from experience that these views have stood the test of time and many challenges from those with less experience in the field or operating under misconceptions or pursuing non-reform agendas. Rather than merely arguing over these main themes, it is time for those of us who understand, to move forward to implement those elements that we know must be a part of good reform.

  What are these broad national parameters supported by over 3000 years of history? That the control of money systems should shift away from private control toward governmental control. Away from commodity money notions; away from fractional reserve banking – monetizing private credits and loaning them into circulation at interest. Towards money issued interest free by government and spent into circulation for the common good. The system must be morally grounded in fairness.

  Not seeking blind trust, we’ll continue educating and explaining why the proposals are beneficial and moral and continue to present the historical evidence demonstrating that. We’ll answer any serious challenges, and those arising from plain misunderstanding. We may invite selected spokesmen for differing reforms to succinctly present their case. But we’ll do it within a context of advancing the reform agenda, making necessary adjustments as we proceed. We won't waste our participants time! Dissenters obviously don’t have to join in the reform phase; but neither need we procrastinate, waiting for all to experience their monetary epiphanies, before moving forward. The direction of world events requires that we begin a solid program now.

  Focus on three broad areas:

  The Monetary Reforms:
  The main focus of the conferences - Researchers will describe and make the case for the kind of monetary reforms advocated, presenting both the logical and historical basis for them, and the mechanics of implementing them. Extensive question and answer periods and panel discussions can air doubts or concerns regarding the desirability of the reforms and suggest refinements. Included will be discussions of research and thinking methodology. Two monetary reform acts will be analyzed including strategies for getting it supported.

  Achieving the Reforms:
  Selected Political, Social and Monetary Activists will give the benefit of their experience in educating, raising public awareness, organizing and motivating people and governmental bodies to influence public policy decisions

  Using the Reforms:
  

  Presentations on how a properly reconstituted money power within government will be effectively used to “promote the general welfare”. These will focus on several areas:
  Infrastructure Programs including education and health, upgrading America’s crumbling infrastructure, including futuristic designs well within the reach of today’s technology and economy, to create hospitable, clean, cities of the future using 21st century solutions.

  Educational proposals providing funding from sources other than middle-class property taxes.

  Medical Care proposals which more effectively and fairly distribute the benefits of our medical technologies.

  Farming Parity proposals for maintaining the existence of family controlled environmentally sound farming.

  More details posted at the American Monetary Institute website.

• The Bioneers Conference - Revloution from the Heart of Nature
  
  October 16-18, 2009
  San Rafael, California
  The Bioneers Conference is an acclaimed leading-edge forum where you can see tomorrow today: a future environment of hope. Social and scientific innovators focus on breakthrough solutions inspired by nature and human ingenuity. These visionaries are already creating a healthy, equitable, diverse and beautiful world, our legacy for future generations and the web of life on which our lives depend.

  Details at- www.bioneers.org

• The Economics of Peace- Transforming Money - Rebuilding Community - Redefining Wealth
  
  October 18-23, 2009
  Sonoma, California
  In the midst of economic collapse, we are compelled to seek wiser systems of commerce and more equitable economic relationships. While it is imperative that we understand the history of our economic structures and what went wrong, it is equally important that we experience the outstanding examples of collaborative business practices that are changing the economic landscape today. Examples include cooperative businesses, complementary currencies, green business, green jobs, slow money, slow food, living wage initiatives, social finance, credit unions, BALLE (Business Alliance for Local Living Economies), and more.

  The challenge before us is to align the efforts and energies of the millions of individuals, businesses, and organizations that are working to transform our failing economy. "The Economics of Peace" Conference will provide a space for such independent networks and organizaions to form deeper levels of collaboration and to begin describing the next economic paradigm. In essence, it will be a place for the imaginal cells of a movement to begin transforming economic relationships to better serve people and planet. What would economic relationships look like if fear and scarcity were replaced with collaboration and generosity? If poverty were eradicated? If everyone had meaningful employment? Co-sponsors: YES! Magazine, E.F. Schumacher Society, Berrett-Koehler Publishers, Mother Jones Magazine, Sonoma Community Center, Sonoma County GoLocal Cooperative, and others.

  Details posted at www.praxispeace.org/conference09.php

  I have been so busy organizing locally that I have not had time to update this. I even turned down a trip to speak at a big Eco-Money Conference in Japan August 2002, because I think it is such a critical time here in the U.S. to raise consciousness and expose the War on Terrorism for what it really is- A War on Democracy, Freedom, and Dissent worldwide! When I have time, I'll try to add the good, inspiring conferences and events that are coming up...
  
  
  

  Donate to the Northern California 9-11 Truth Alliance
  Link to Past Bay Area 9-11 Events