Dear all,
I confirm that the International Solidarity Committee for the Iraqi
Social Forum (ISF) will have the next Skype chat tomorrow,
Wednesday 18th of September, at 14:00 GMT (that is 16:00 in Italy,
17:00 in Iraq), maybe the last before the ISF.
I'm not sure we will manage to have another chat next week, while
some of us will be in Baghdad already.
Some great news:
- the Extended ISF started today with great activities in Bangladesh
and Pakistan! I'm waiting for info from Pakistan, and I'm almost
ready to send you the program of the Extended ISF, with activities
extending till October 6
- we now have visa for almost all internationals wishing to travel
to Baghdad (except the last 8 people who are still uncertain, due to
late application), the visa letter to the Arabs has been sent
already, while for others it will come tomorrow
- the draft program of the Iraqi Social Forum is exceptionally
interesting (we'll share a draft tomorrow before the chat)
- the training program "Organizing for nonviolent social change"
will take place just before the ISF (Sept 23-25) in Baghdad Hotel
with 20 participants among skilled and brave Iraqi activists. Thanks
to NOVACT for making it happen!
And the bad news:
the security situation is deteriorating again. New terrible wave of
attacks yesterday. Tomorrow we'll get another risk assessment.
Agenda for our chat:
- international participants going to Baghdad, we need to
finalize the list
- reviewing security procedures for those going to Baghdad
- Extended ISF, what needs to be done to create connections
- ISF program, comments and contribution of internationals
In Solidarity,
Martina
www.unponteper.it
www.iraqicivilsociety.org