[WSF-Discuss] MSF Newsletter - March 2009
sah bittu
sahbittu at gmail.com
Fri Mar 6 14:17:49 UCT 2009
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MELBOURNE SOCIAL FORUM NEWS – March 2009
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In this issue :
- New events calendar
- MSF 2009
- MSF 2009 Cultural meeting
- Want an item included in the newsletter?
- News, events and actions
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New Events Calendar
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We have a new events calendar on our increasingly brilliant new
website, it will be updated with events and actions on a regular basis
between newsletters, so bookmark it now!
http://melbournesocialforum.org/joomla/index.php/events/38-past-events/121-msfevents
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MSF 2009 : 17th - 19th April 2009
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'In the Hothouse' - The 2009 Melbourne Social Forum
Friday 17th April: Opening night
Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th: CERES Environmental Park.
Planning is underway for the 2009 MSF. This years primary theme will
be climate change, however a wide range of important environmental and
social issues will be covered. We are currently seeking speakers and
will shortly be accepting offers for stalls and workshops. The 2009
MSF is another exciting event on Melbourne's busy social and
environmental activist calendar. We welcome people from all
backgrounds and encourage, mums, dads, students, teachers, the leaders
of yesterday and our youth, the leaders of tomorrow to attend. Mark it
in your diaries now.
Speakers:
* To Be Announced soon.
Special Project: Voices of our future
Students from two schools will present a drama or musical performance
to express their concerns, views and responses to climate change.
Entertainment, Art & Culture:
* The Conch
* Plus lots more bands
* dancing
* photographic displays
* films
* paintings.
Workshops & Stalls:
* To be announced soon. We will be putting a call out for groups and
individuals to present workshops and run stalls shortly.
Food:
* Delicious food and drinks, with a focus on healthy, locally
produced food, prepared and cooked by social enterprises or small
local businesses.
If you want to step up and be a part of this exciting event, then
drop us a line, we'd love to hear from you. We need people with
community contacts & networks, activists, people with organising and
logistical skills, artists, people with media, promotion & web skills,
graphic designers and meet & greet volunteers. We welcome people with
all levels of experience, please contact us.
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And for those of you interested in participating in Cultural
activities at the MSF in April...
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Come along to the Cultural meeting to meet others taking part,
discuss your ideas, projects and have a few casual drinks to discuss
how to fit all your ideas into the Melbourne Social Forum event
Thursday March 5th
Lambsgo Bar, Greeves st (Just Off Smith St), Collingwood
Call Chris on 0433255721 for more details
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Don't be shy, drop by our NEXT ORGANISERS MEETING
Everyone is welcome and we'll have some snacks and great discussions.
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Date: Tuesday March 10th 6.30pm
Venue: 'The Blue Room', at the Social Justice Centre, 124 Napier St,
Fitzroy, rear of the Fitzroy Uniting Church.
Melways Map Ref: Map 2C Grid ref B-10
Yarra Trams Route 86 To RMIT Bundoora Tram Stop number 14 (on the
Corner of Gertrude & Napier St).
Please enter the gate at the front of the Church and follow the
pavement on the Northern Side. The 'Blue Room' is so marked on a brown
door at the back of the building.
Call Chris on 0431464099 if you have any problems.
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Want an item included in the next newsletter?
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Submit your events and news items to news at melbournesocialforum.org by
27th March to be included in the next newsletter.
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This Climate Action Calendar covers sustainable, activist and
ecological events in Victoria and major events elsewhere. Weekly
updates are sent out and is one of the most concise and detailed
newsletters around.
To find out more email Monique Decortis decortis at bigpond.net.au
If you wish to subscribe or unsubscribe to the calendar please email
Monique with your details and “subscribe CAC” or “unsubscribe
CAC” in the subject bar.
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Climate Justice Now! No to neoliberal illusions, yes to people's
solutions!
Climate Justice Assembly Declaration
World Social Forum, Bélém, Brazil, 4 February 2009
For centuries, productivism and industrial capitalism have been
destroying our cultures, exploiting our labour and poisoning our
environment.
Now, with the climate crisis, the Earth is saying "enough", "ya
basta"!
Once again, the people who created the problem are telling us that
they also have the solutions: carbon trading, so-called "clean coal",
more nuclear power , agrofuels, even a "green new deal". But these are
not real solutions, they are neoliberal illusions. It is time to move
beyond these illusions.
Real solutions to the climate crisis are being built by those who
have always protected the Earth and by those who fight every day to
defend their environment and living conditions. We need to globalise
these solutions.
For us, the struggles for climate justice and social justice are one
and the same. It is the struggle for territories, land, forests and
water, for agrarian and urban reform, food and energy sovereignty, for
women's and worker's rights. It is the fight for equality and justice
for indigenous peoples, for peoples of the global South, for the
redistribution of wealth and for the recognition of the historical
ecological debt owed by the North.
Against the disembodied, market-driven interests of the global elite
and the dominant development model based on never-ending growth and
consumption, the climate justice movement will reclaim the commons,
and put social and economic realities at the heart of our struggle
against climate change.
We call on everyone – workers, farmers, fisherfolk, students,
youth, women, indigenous peoples, and all concerned humans from the
South and the North – to join in this common struggle to build the
real solutions to the climate crisis for the future of our planet, our
societies, and our cultures. All together, we are building a movement
for climate justice.
We support the mobilizations against the G20 summit and on the global
crisis from 28 march to 4 April, and the 17 April 2009 mobilisation of
La Via Campesina.
We support the call for an International Day of Action in Defense of
Mother Earth and Indigenous Rights on 12 October 2009.
We call for mobilisations and diverse forms of actions everywhere, in
the lead up to, during and beyond the UN climate talks in Copenhagen,
especially on the Global Day of Action on 12 December 2009.
In all of our work, we will expose the false solutions, raise the
voices of the South, defend human rights, and strengthen our
solidarity in the fight for climate justice. If we make the right
choices, we can build a better world for everyone.
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Melbourne University's Vice Chancellor is hosting an International
Public Lecture on the 2 March
Which Joe Trippi - the long-time US political campaigner often
credited with introducing the internet to US presidential campaigning
will speak.
The lecture is entitled "Online Campaigning in the US Presidential
Election"
Carrillo Gantner Lecture Theatre in the Sidney Myer Asia Centre from
6.00pm - 7.00pm.
Admission is free. Bookings are essential.
To find out more or to reserve a seat, please visit at
http://www.events.unimelb.edu.au/view.php?eventID=5555
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The March Melbourne Sustainability Drinks, 4th March, 6 - 8pm
Andy Baker from the Mobium Group, will talk about the latest
Green-Tracker research undertaken in February 2009. He will provide
insights into Australian consumer attitudes to the CPRS and the impact
of the Global Financial Crisis on the consumer market for
sustainability.
Andy is co-author of the Living LOHAS in Australia report series and
co-founder of strategic consultancy Mobium Group. Mobium Group
provides market insights to business about issues of sustainability,
technology, health and well-being. Andy is a strategic planning
specialist with ten years experience in corporate, analytical and
consulting roles across financial services, energy, technology,
health, agribusiness and other sectors.
Melbourne Sustainability Drinks will be held at Tjanabi, in
Federation Square. Tjanabi sources local and native produce and
supplies and is involved in organic waste pilot projects and water
minimisation schemes with the aim of being carbon neutral, Supporter
of local initiatives such as Land-care and the Unity Foundation
Tjanabi seeks to educate on regional and modernised indigenous
cuisines.
Tjanabi, Federation Square, beside the Atrium, Flinders Street,
Melbourne Victoria
http://www.tjanabi.com.au
As space is limited it is essential to RSVP, spaces go quick so
respond now: http://www.melbournesustainabilitydrinks.com/rsvp.html.
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International Women's Day Focus on East Timor Documentary &
Discussion
2009 Marks ten years since East Timor's historic independence ballot
in 1999. Join us to celebrate the achievements of East Timorese women
and their contributions to political freedom.
Guest speaker: Fernanda Borges
Fernanda is a leading East Timorese politician and the only female
party leader in the national parliament. She will speak about the
critical role played by women then and now, and call for justice for
the crimes committed against humanity perpetrated against the people
of East Timor.
Documentary film screening: Heru lni Lafu (Weaving life)
A unique film that journeys into rural East Timor to show a side of
life rarely seen on the Australian screen. The film highlights women's
resistance & celebrates their critical role in cultural regeneration &
national development. The film reveals the beauty of East Timorese
culture and the creative processes of traditional Tais weaving.
Dates - Fernanda Borges Victorian speaking tour:
**When: Tuesday 3rd March, 12.30 pm
Where: Earthly Pleasures, 1627 Burwood Hwy, Belgrave
Bookings: 9752 6744
Cost: $25/ $20 concession - Organic lunch included
**When: Tuesday 3rd March, 7pm
Where: St Margaret's Church, Pitt St, Eltham
Cost: $10/ $12 - Refreshments provided
**When: Wednesday 4th March, 6.30 pm
Where: Mornington Peninsula Shire, Rosebud Office,
Besgrove St Rosebud
**When: Friday 6th March 2009, 6.30 pm
Where: Australian Volunteers International (AVI),
Frank Engel Room, 88 Kerr St, Fitzroy, Melbourne
Entry by recommended donation: $20 - Refreshments provided.
Proceeds to building sustainable solar powered weaving centres & an
AVI worker for ETWA's project partners!
Presentations by the Alternative Technologies Association, Australian
Volunteers International and East Timor Women Australia (ETWA).
Australia-East Timor Association Bookstall.
Further details:
Funds raised at all events to support projects in East Timor.
For more information about the speaking tour contact Taryn:
m: 0402 324 892
e: office at etwa.org.au
For dates in Sydney & Canberra, see
www.etwa.org.au
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AUSTRALIA'S CLIMATE MOVEMENT IN 2009: THE TURNING POINT
Climate Action Network Australia 2009 Conference
Melbourne Town Hall
March 11: Public Conference: 9.00am – 5.45pm
March 12: Members-Only Conference: 9.00am – 5.15pm
The Climate Action Network Australia (CANA) conference draws together
the broad and progressive climate movement, from the non-government,
corporate, academic and Government, to debate and dissect the key
climate problems and potential solutions.
In 2009, this conference offers the opportunity to contribute and
shape the climate advocacy strategies and foci that will lead from the
proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme to the international stage
for the post-Kyoto Protocol negotiations in Copenhagen in December.
* This year's theme: The turning point*
The prominence of the CANA conference in 2009 is key for industry,
government and academic representatives working on climate change
issues. The outcomes and recommendations will represent the last major
opportunity to input collaboratively as civil society representatives
into the Federal Government's approach to the international climate
negotiations in Copenhagen 2009, and into the roll-out and detailing
of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme.
* Speakers include:
* Senior Government representatives:* Blair Comley (Deputy Secretary,
Department of Climate Change), Howard Bamsey (Special Envoy,
Department of Climate Change), Rebecca Falkingham (Office of the
Premier, Victoria), and Richard Towle (United Nations High Commission
for Refugees.
* Leading academics and researchers:* Professor Stephen Schneider
(Stanford University USA and IPCC), Professor Dave Griggs (Monash
University and IPCC), Professor Nick Low (Melbourne University), Dr
Mark Diesendorf (UNSW), Dr Neville Nicholls (Monash University), Dr
Iain MacGill (UNSW), Dr. Kamal Siddiqui (Monash University), and Simon
Dunstall (CSIRO's Low Emissions Distributed Energy Theme).
* High-profile commentators:* Richard Dennis (The Australia
Institute), Bernard Keane (Crikey.com), Ian de Cruz (World Vision;
formerly of the Garnaut Review), and Tony Douglas (Essential Media).
* Corporate leaders:* Tony Gray (Visy), Scott Leckie (Displacement
Solutions), Laura Eadier (carbon offsetter, Climate Friendly), and
Stephen Hennessy (green architects and engineers, Steensen Varming).
* ...and the strident voices from non-government
organisations:* Rev Tim Costello (World Vision), John Connor (The
Climate Institute), David Turnbull (Climate Action Network
International), Jane Holden (Climate Action Network Australia), Tony
Mohr (ACF), Stephan Singer (WWF Europe), Damien Lawson (Friends of
the Earth Australia), Nicole Ikenberg (WWF Australia), Dr Brett Parris
(World Vision), Emeretta Cross (Tuvalua and Kiribati national), Eliot
Fishamn (Australian Association for the Study of Peak Oil and Gas),
Cameron Eren (Total Environment Centre), George Woods (Rising Tide),
Imogen Schoots (Electrical Trades Union- Victoria), John Hepburn
(Greenpeace Australia Pacific), Cate Faehrmann (Nature Conservation
Council of NSW), Andrew Hewett (Oxfam Australia), and Wenny Theresia
(Climate Movement).
* Conference Program*
Draft program for March 11: www.cana.net.au/index.php?site_var=80.
Draft program for March 12 (members-only day):
www.cana.net.au/index.php?site_var=80.
* For further details:* Contact Nina Hall at nina at cana.net.au and 02
8202 1248
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— International Women’s Day public discussion —
*
* Wednesday, 11 March, 7.00 pm
*
* In the wake of Victoria’s Fires: Feminists examine the causes and
solutions
In a single month, Victoria burned, and northern Queensland was under
water. The United Kingdom was trapped by blizzards and the United
States, from Texas to the Northeast, was paralysed by ice storms.
Every Victorian has felt the horrific impact of this climatic upheaval
in our part of the world. As service workers or victims of the fires,
women have played an active part in the massive recovery operations.
Women will also shoulder consequences of the devastation —?and want
answers.
*Maureen Murphy*, a local government worker in a fire-affected area,
and *Debbie Brennan*, a workplace delegate with the Australian
Services Union, will share their stories and perspectives. Come with
your thoughts and experiences to discuss what is behind the disaster
and what we can do about it. *If you, or someone you know, were
involved in the fires and want to speak, please contact Radical Women.
*
A delicious dinner will be served at 6.30 pm for a $7.50 donation.
*The discussion will be held at Solidarity Salon, 580 Sydney Road,
Brunswick
*. Catch the Upfield train or Sydney Road tram, and there is plenty
of free parking at the rear.
*For more information, call 9388 0062 or email
radicalwomen at optusnet.com.au.
Everyone is welcome! *
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The Black Harmony Gathering 2009
Indigenous & multicultural communities together in a spirit of
reconciliation for Cultural diversity week
When: Sunday 15th March, 2pm - 6pm
Where: Fairfield Amphitheatre, Heidelberg Rd, Fairfield (Melways Map
30 J-12)
Opening by Aunty Joy Murphy & Robbie Thorpe
Artists: The Koori Youth Will Shake Spears, the Grenandines, Skye,
Robert & Brett, Meriki Hood, Johnny Mac & Biri-on Laskidjeka. With
friends from Sudan, Burundi, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Ethiopia, West
Papua & East Timor. Tabura & Laloran Choirs, Ajak Kwai & Friends, Afro
Habesha Band, African Band Blak Roots.
Further info: Koori BBQ, African food stalls, market place of
Indigenous & African wares.
MC's Kutcha Edwards, Little G & Stick Mareebo
Artists Kutcha Edwards and Ajak Kwai will cross cultural boundaries
to create a cultural revolution & perform a song or two together.
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Melbourne Harmony Festival
Melbourne's Interfaith, Multicultural, Environmental Festival
Harmony with our neighbours, harmony with the earth!
When: Sunday 15th March, 12noon - 4pm
Where: Alma Park, East St Kilda
*Entertainment *Music *Dancing *Singing *African & Israeli dancing
*African drumming *Multicultural choir *Soccer *Aboriginal story
telling * Environmental stalls *Drinks *Tea & coffee *Sweets
*Multicultural food - Halal & Kosher available *Arts & crafts *Hair
braiding *Henna painting *'Face paint a tram art competition' winners
announcement
For further information:
www.melbourneharmony.info
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Exhibition: Rosalie Gascoigne
When: Until 15 March Check website for opening hours:
www.ngv.vic.gov.au
Where: The Ian Potter Centre, National Gallery of Victoria -
Federation Square, Melbourne
Entry: Free
Background: Rosalie Gascoigne held her first exhibition at the age of
57 in 1974 and by 1982 was the first female artist to represent
Australia at the Venice Biennale. The exhibition shows how the artist
was inspired by discarded materials and how she created a new world of
meaning out of this debris. This is the first major retrospective
exhibition of Gascoigne's work to be seen in Melbourne.
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The World Naked Bike Ride - Sunday 15th March
3pm Union Club Hotel, corner of Gore & Webb Sts, Fitzroy.
Mission Statement: We face automobile traffic with our naked bodies
as the best way of defending our dignity and exposing the unique
dangers faced by cyclists and pedestrians plus all the negative
effects of oil, cars, war, consumerism and non-renewable energy.
The Protest Themes in 4 Words: Naturism, Environmentalism, Pacifism
and Biketivism.
Clothing is optional. The dress code for the World Naked Bike Ride is
"Bare As You Dare"! YOU get to decide how naked you wish to be. If
that means completely naked, the decision is yours. Fantastic Fun!
World Naked Bike Ride is the biggest naked protest event in the world.
It is the grooviest, funniest, most hippie greenie event. Riding in
the WNBR will give you a natural high and a feeling of joy, liberation
and freedom that will amaze you. The memory of WNBR will cheer you for
years to come.
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Who am I? Religion, identity & public life
When: Monday 16 March, 6.00 - 7.30 pm
Where: Village Roadshow Theatrette, State Library of Victoria, 328
Swanston St (Entry via La Trobe St)
Details: With Stephen Crittenden, religious affairs journalist ABC,
and Waleed Aly, lecturer in the School of Political & Social Enquiry,
Monash University & Media commentator.
Co-sponsored by the Centre for Studies in Religion & Theology, Monash
University and the State Library of Victoria
Bookings recommended:
e: susan.grist at arts.monash.edu.au
Background:
'Who am I?' is a free public conversation series leading up to the
Parliament of the World's Religions in December 3-9, 2009 at the
Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre Melbourne, Australia.
The series of monthly conversations aims to create public dialogue
between people of different backgrounds & religious traditions.
Moderated by Penny Mulvey of Positive Media, they explore questions
relevant to the upcoming Melbourne Parliament of the World's Religions
and to our multifaith society.
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2009 Greek Antipodes Festival
When: Saturday 21, Sunday 22 March (1.00pm -12 midnight)
Where: Lonsdale St Greek precinct Lonsdale St (Between Russell &
Swanston Sts), Melbourne
Entry: free
Outline: Over one weekend in March, the Antipodes Festival takes over
Lonsdale Street's Greek Precinct to celebrate all things Greek and to
share with Melbourne a culture synonymous with good food & a strong
appetite for what is known as 'glendi' or a party. Glykeria, Greece's
beloved songstress, will be performing at the free event, her only
live performance while in Melbourne. Catch local performers, pick up
some loukoumades (Greek donuts), a souvlaki (or two), or even take
part in the fun Zorba 'til you drop dancing competition.
Contact details
t: (03) 9662 2722
e: events at antipodesfestival.com.au
w: www.antipodesfestival.com.au
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Sustainable Cities - Sustainable Transport
What kind of world should we be planning our cities & transport for?
A public forum
When: March 26
Where: DOT Theatrette, Level 1, 121 Exhibition St (between Collins St
& Bourke St)
Background: Do we understand the extent to which global change will
shape our cities? How liveable will our cities be in the future? What
will they look like? How many people will be living in them by 2050
and 2100? Where will the food come from to feed them? What resources
will be available to maintain and operate city services & its
infrastructure? How much of the infrastructure we are building today
will have value in the future? Do we really know what future we should
be planning for?
These are critical questions that should be reflected in government
policy yet almost all of today's planning policies continue to be
based on business as usual approaches.
This forum aims to address these questions & consider the
implications for city & transport planning.
Forum Convenor: Roger Taylor in collaboration with Australian Fabians
Forum Facilitator: Dr Norman Swan
Program outline:
* Where are we at - where are we heading, future scenarios, symptoms
& causes
* Understanding the system/ model
* Futures to plan for - panel review with facilitator
* Application of new thinking in city & transport planning &
development
* Summary of key issues, panel discussion, question time & closing
address
Speakers:
* Dr Ian McPhail - inaugural Commissioner for Environmental
Sustainability for Victoria
* Prof Will Steffen - Director ANU Climate Change Institute
* Dr John Finnigan - CSIRO Centre for Complex System Science, CSIRO
Marine & Atmospheric Research Canberra
* Dr Damon Honnery - Assoc Prof Lab for Turbulence Research in
Aerospace & Combustion, Dept of Mechanical &
Aerospace Engineering Monash University
* Dr Peter Brain - Economist in the development & application of
macroeconomic models.
* Dr Peter Newton - Research Prof - Cities, Housing & Environment
Program, Institute for Social Research, Swinburne University of
Technology, Melb
* Prof Currie - Prof, Public Transport, Institute of Transport
Studies, Monash University
* Prof Nicholas Low - co-Director, Australasian Centre for the
Governance & Management of Urban Transport (GAMUT)
* John Stanley - Economist & Adjunct Prof, Institute of Transport &
Logistics Studies, University of Sydney
Other information: Morning tea, lunch & afternoon tea will be
provided by Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC).
Register for the forum via
www.fabian.org.au
(Registrations by Monday 23rd March)
This is an Australian Fabians event.
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Public Lecture: 'Dialogue: only path to peace' by H E. Sayed Mohammed
Khatami
When: Thursday 26 March, 7.15pm
Where: West Lecture Theatre, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Melbourne
Melway 573 C-6 (Carpark 1)
Entry: donation $5
Further details:
The Centre for Dialogue is pleased to announce a public lecture by H.
E. Sayed Mohammed Khatami, the Former President of Iran (1997-2005)
and Pioneer of the 'Dialogue of Civilisations'. The keynote address,
'Dialogue: Only Path to Peace', will be his only public engagement in
Melbourne.
This timely event is just months before Khatami will contest the
Iranian Presidential election, standing against the incumbent
President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Based on his years as a leader of the
reform movement in Iran and as a leading religious scholar, it is
expected that Khatami will discuss the role of the dialogue of
cultures and civilisations in international relations.
An initiative of the La Trobe University - Centre for Dialogue
www.latrobe.edu.au/dialogue
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Sah Bittu,
Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics,
BMCC Road, Deccan Gymkhana,
Pune - 411004
Maharashtra
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