Colombia Support Network National Conference
June 5-6, 2015
Edgewood College
Regina Hall, Room R24
Madison, Wisconsin
Program
Friday, June 5
8:00 a.m. -9:00 a.m. Breakfast at Regina Hall Dining Room
Morning and Afternoon Programs at Regina Hall, Room R24.
9:00 a.m.-9:20 a.m Welcome, Introductions, Presentation of CSN Interns, and Review of Program (Jack Laun).
9:20 a.m.-10:30 a.m. The current situation in Colombia as seen in Tumaco—Video presentation by Jose Luis Foncillas of the Comision de Vida, Justicia y Paz of the Diocese of Tumaco, and discussion with him by SKYPE.
10:30-10:45 a.m. Break
10:45 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Presentation by U.S. Congressman Mark Pocan, CSN Advisory Council member, and question and answer session on U.S. Government policies toward Colombia and their effect on efforts of human rights organizations in Colombia and an update on Congressional consideration of proposed international trade agreements.
12:00 noon-1 p.m. Lunch at Regina Hall
1:00 p.m.-1:45 p.m. Presentation by CSN Secretary Eunice Gibson and Norman Stockwell of radio station WORT concerning the March commemoration of Peace Community leader Luis Eduardo Guerra and the others massacred by the Colombian Army and paramilitary forces, and continuing threats to the Community.
1:45 p.m.-2:45 p.m. Presentation by Buddy Bell of Voices for Creative Nonviolence on his visit to the Peace Community of San Jose de Apartado with Dr. Hakim to consider application of their model to Afghanistan.
2:45 p.m.-3:00 p.m. Break
3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Power point presentation by Professor Emeritus
Al Gedicks:”The New Extractivism”, discussing the Colombian Government’s development model. And Professor Gedicks’ power point presentation on G-Tec’s withdrawal from the Penokee Hills taconite project in northern Wisconsin as a win for organized community resistance.
4:00p.m.-5:30 p.m. Presentation by David Newby, President of the Wisconsin Fair Trade Coalition and former President of the Wisconsin AFL-CIO on The Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) and the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP): A critique of these Obama Administration proposals and an update on the effort to defeat them; and an update by Professor Gedicks on the Oceana Gold free trade lawsuit against the government of El Salvador.
5:30-6:30 p.m. Dinner at Regina Hall
6:30-8:00 p.m. Panel discussion about the role of international capital and the interests of political leaders on development plans and public policy in Colombia: Historian Allen Ruff, Steve Horn and CSN Treasurer and Activist Steve Bray. Jack Laun, Moderator.
Saturday, June 6
8:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m. Breakfast at Regina Hall
Morning and Afternoon Programs at Regina Hall, Room R24.
9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. Description of Sister Community Projects and proposed delegations (representatives of CSN Chapters).
10:00 a.m.-10:15 a.m. Break
10:15 a.m.-11:00 a.m. Discussion of the threats to the Kamentsa and Inga communities in Sibundoy and the communities’ efforts to save and protect their communities and sacred sites—SKYPE presentation by community leader Carmenza Tez and Mayra Johanna Tenjo of ILSA.
11:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Review of developments in the investigation of the La Rejoya massacre of 2005 and discussion of the illegal treatment of victims’ lawyer Sofia Lopez and CSN’s response thereto
11:30a.m.-12:00 noon Peace Talks between the FARC guerrillas and the Santos Government; promises and pitfalls—Skype presentation by Colombian Attorney Luis Celis, with discussion led by Cecilia Zarate-Laun
12:00 noon-1:00 p.m. Lunch at Regina Hall
1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. Discussion by Professor Randy Clark of design and outreach projects and marketing ideas
2:00 p.m.-2:15 p.m. Break
2:15 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Discussion of plans for collaboration with sister communities and setting of goals for the next year; discussion of local outreach plans by CSN Board Outreach Coordinator Craig Wehrle
3:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Business Meeting:
1. Deciding on program initiatives for the coming year
2. Review of financial records
3. Election of Board Members and Officers
5:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Comments and suggestions by Conference participants
6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Cookout and discussion at 3345 Mound View Road, Verona, WI 53593 rural home of Cecilia Zarate and Jack Laun