Agenda: Resistance conference 2011

This is the initial conference agenda, more workshops and speakers will be added soon. Please note that some of the workshops or session times may change.

Friday, 6th May

6pm: Public Forum - ‘People Power confronting the empire’

Matthew Cassel - Former editor of Electronic Intifada
Kate Ausburn - Green Left Weekly journalist and Resistance member
Antony Loewenstein - a Sydney-based independent freelance journalist and author, who wrote the book My Israel Question.

Saturday 7th May

8.30am Registration

9:00-11:00am: Turn anger into action!

In Australia the movement for equal marriage rights continues to grow, and thousands of people marched to defend Wikileaks. But the Gillard government is refusing to take meaningful action on climate change, continues to lock up refugees and is deepening the racist NT intervention.

Speakers will address the major issues in Australian politics, and focus on the campaigns for Aboriginal Rights, Climate change, and Equal Love.

11.20am Workshop session

1. Climate change campaigning

The majority of Australians still support meaningful action on climate change but

the government is dragging its feet and the Opposition is whipping up denialism.

In this context how do we best campaign for climate action? Including information

about the burgeoning campaign against coal seam gas mining, and what we can

do to stop it.

2. Campaign against the NT Intervention and Aboriginal rights

With the Labor government extending the Northern Territory Intervention and riding

roughshod over Aboriginal heritage in Tasmanian, this workshop will discuss the

strong resistance to these destructive government policies and how we can overturn

them.

3. History of left struggle in the Middle East

This workshop will look at the examples of progressive struggle and sentiment in

Arab countries over the last century, including the struggle for women's rights.

4. Marxism and Faith

What view should socialists have towards religious organisations and practices?

Are religions inherently reactionary or do they encourage compassion? Do we

have ideas in common and can we work together on campaigns?

Presented by a progressive Christian pastor, and a young atheist.

2- 4pm: Confronting the empire: international resistance from the Middle East to Latin America

Uprisings in the middle east have brought dictatorial regimes to their knees. In Europe, governments that are making ordinary people bear the costs of the economic crisis are facing strong resistance; from student protests in the UK and mass strikes in France and Greece. While the governments on Venezeula, Bolivia and Cuba continue to provide proof that people and the environment can come before profit.

Featuring guest speakers: Ravindran from the Socialist Party of Malaysia. Independent journalist, Matthew Cassel and Chris Jenkins

from Resistance.

4-6pm: Workshop session

1. Feminism today
This year we celebrated the 100 years anniversary of International Women’s Day, and women’s rights have come a long way since then, but real equality still hasn’t been achieved. This workshop will look at how young people have to deal with the rise of raunch culture, the unprecedented access to porn and what effects that has on our relationships, the unattainable beauty ideal and the self esteem problems it can create, and the pressure to get married and have kids women still face.

2. The Greens in power
Although still a minority, the Greens hold a powerful position in federal politics and in Tasmanian state politics and they are widely seen as the progressive alternative to the major parties. This workshop will look at examples of the Greens in power and what they accomplish, as well as the limitations of parliament in making fundamental changes in society.
3. Defending Wikileaks and our civil liberties
Wikileaks has exposed the truth of government lies around the world. This workshop will give an update of what is happening in the fight to defend Wikileaks and how we can build the campaign so that Wikileaks aren’t silenced.

4. Campaigning for Disability rights
People with disabilities are still marginalised in many ways through legal and instituional discrimination. Come to this discussion about how people with disabilities can campaign and win better rights in Australia.

7pm - Dinner and music

Sunday 8th May

9-11am: Take the power back!

Young people care deeply about politics, but not so much for scumbag politicians. This session will examine how we can build a vibrant, socialist youth organisation in Australia that can tap into youth activism and organise for a sustainable and democratic world. Hear from speakers, Heleyni Pratley, Organiser for Unite Union in Wellington New Zealand/Aotearoa and Ben Peterson, national convener of Resistance.

11.15 am Workshop session

1. Campaigning for equal marriage and LGBTI rights.

The majority of Australians want equal marriage rights for everyone, so what’s stopping the government from doing it? This workshop will look at the campaign for Equal Marriage rights and how we can win it, including organising for major protests bewteen now and the end of the year.

2. Building alternative media

The editors of Green Left Weekly and Tracker speak about how capitalism controls what we see and hear in the news and what effect that has on public opinion. In this context alternative media is vitally important to get the truth out about what is really happening in the world. Lessons on how we can use alternative media to strengthen our campaigns.

3. Stepping up the campaign for refugees

The Labor government is intent on keeping refugees locked up in detention, but all over the country people are fighting back. Hear an update on the Curtin convergence and other protests that happened over Easter, and we'll come up with ideas for actions that will build the campaign for refugee rights and combat the racist myths about aslyum seekers.

4. Introduction to Marxism

Get a better understanding on the fundamental ideas of Marx, and why socialism is still relevant today.

12.30pm Lunch

1pm - 2.15pm Workshop session

1. The Nepali Revolution

Get an update about recent political events in Nepal and how the revolution, which won a major victory in 2008, is progressing and how young people are involved in fighting for change.

2. Young workers in trade unions

Unite union has made a breakthrough in organsing young workers traditionally ignored by the major unions. Hear from Heleyni Pratley, an organiser with Unite, about how they have organised young workers in the fast food and retail industry, and won big changes.

3. Palestine, Israel and the Boycott Divestment and Sanctions campaign Discussion about the BDS campaign in Australia and how it’s designed to bring justice to the Palestinian people. Why councils and universities have a right to join in with this campaign and why the campaign generates such a backlash from conservative politicians and media.

4. Malaysian Struggle For Socialism

Ravindran is a youth leader of the Socialist Party of Malaysia and was arrested on May 1 at a May Day March in Malaysia. Hear him speak about politics in Malaysia and the campaigns the PSM are involved in with plantation workers, the urban poor, industrial workers and farmers.

2.30pm: Voting Session
Vote on motions from reports and campaigning workshops, and constitutional changes.

4pm: Closed Session
Election of National Council

7pm: BBQ and drinks.