Hello and greetings.

 

Hope this mail finds you in good health and cheer.

 

On the occasion of India at 60, we are organising the India Civil Society Summit from 24-26 August at Ambedkar Bhavan, near Cantonment station in Bangalore. The concept note is given below.

 

It will be celebration by about 1000 civil society representatives of present day freedom struggles. The summit will hear different points of view. The challenges facing the nation in ensuring 'freedom for all' (from Amartya Sen's "Development as Freedom") will be the focus of discussion.

 

The overarching theme will be 'displacement'—from land, governance and identity. The emphasis will be on the search for solutions and working together, since the task is great and the skill sets and core competencies need to work in tandem.

 

The distinguished speakers from all walks of life—from grassroots campaigns to captains of industry—will look at the challenges facing India. Each speaker would have about 3-5 minutes for opening remarks, and then a discussion for 30 minutes. There will be 'witness testimonies' –experiences in 'free' India, and dreams for a 'free India'. Present day freedom fighters will be honoured. There will be cultural events and fair-trade stalls for community products.

 

If you know of anyone who could benefit from the summit, please let us know and we will invite them as participants.

 

We hope that you and your team will be able to participate. Your presence will greatly enrich the event. Please confirm if you will be attending. If you would like to contribute in any way, do let us know.

 

Looking forward to meeting you here.

 

Best wishes,

 

Anita and Edwin

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anita and edwin
OpenSpace , Bangalore

office @ openspace . org . in
visit our website: openspace.org.in
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India at 60:  Searching for Freedom: The India Civil Society Summit

24-26 August 2007, Ambedkar Bhavan, Bangalore

On 15 August 2007 India celebrates 60 years of freedom from British Rule. On the one hand, we claim superpower status as a nuclear weapons state and a nearly double digit economic growth. On the other hand, we have the dubious distinction of being at wrong side of the global rankings in maternal mortality, female infanticide and foeticide, deaths due to preventable disease, and other indicators of human development. Progress has been uneven—from developing world class technology and services to having the world's largest number of poor and illiterate. For many, 'freedom' in its true sense is yet to dawn- their struggles continue.

 

The summit is a celebration of life, survival and resistance and of continuing struggles for freedom against increasing odds. Therefore, the summit will be a space for dissent and voicing issues, a space for celebrating difference and a space for ongoing freedom struggles. It will situate Civil Society and is its role within this context.

 

The summit is to bring together those who work for a strong, forward looking, people-centric India, to share experiences, discuss challenges and opportunities and create a broad vision together. It brings together those from diverse spheres for a synergy of ideas. It hopes to build relationships across boundaries, and be a platform for people-centric nation building.

 

Objectives

1. Take stock of the civil society SWOT; identify key challenges and priority areas of cooperation.

2. Root civil society within Indian polity.

3. Create a platform for interaction of different stakeholders.

4. Exposure to cutting edge issues: thinking globally, acting locally.

5. A Space for diversity, dissent and continuing freedom struggles. 

Inclusive by design

There will be a special effort to ensure participation of the excluded.

1. Ensure more participation of women.

2. Diversity of participation needs to be ensured, specially from un(der) represented groups and geographical areas like the North East and Kashmir.

3. Wherever possible the panels will be all-women or at least majority women/Dalits and Adivasis.

Finances

-a. Since this is self-financed, all contributions, no matter how small, will be welcomed and gratefully acknowledged.

-b. Suggested contribution is Rs 5000 (non residential) and Rs 7,500 (residential); Solidarity contribution Rs 500; College students: Rs 150 and school students Rs 10.

-c. Additional finances can be raised by the stalls (Rs 5000/Rs1000) and souvenir.

-d. However, money shall not be a constraining factor for those who would like to participate.

Programme

Friday, 24 August 2007

1030 Summit Inaugural

1400: Power as participation

1530: Challenges facing Indian media

Saturday, 25 August 2007

0930: Challenge: Urbanisation

1100: Challenge: Earth friendly life

1330: Challenge:  People and technology

1500: Challenge: Wealth Creation

1630: Diversity and Citizens Agendas

Sunday, 26 August 2007

0930 Challenge: International Support and Solidarity

1100: Challenge: Corporate support of Civil Society Initiatives

1330: Challenge: Democracy and Governance: inclusion and justice

1500: Challenge: Beyond Boundaries, a People's SAARC

1630: Valedictory:  (For honouring present day freedom fighters, we would have seniors recognising presesnt day freedom fighters. 60 Martyrs would be recognised by name and a single toll of the bell each (SGNiyogi, Murugan etc)

 

There will be cultural programmes every day from 6pm-9.30pm.

  

If you think it is a great idea do let us know how would like to be part of this effort