How to Get Involved in the WTO Ministerial Week

Food, farm and agriculture organizations that are interested in having a presence in Seattle can do so in a number of ways. For a full listing of all events taking place during the Ministerial week, visit http://www.tradewatch.org

First, plan on being at Food & Agriculture Day (Thursday, December 2^nd). This will be a full day of speakers, strategy sharing workshops, etc. with a focus directly on agriculture in the WTO. There are several ways organizations and individuals can become involved. We will be making tables available for groups wishing to present materials at the United Methodist Church, where the morning's activities will be held. Please contact Renske van Staveren (contact information below) for more information on tabling.

There will be a morning press breakfast which will be a time for the media to meet and interview farmers from around the world who can best express how trade liberalization has impacted farming and food production in their countries. Several speakers will be identified as experts in this area, with a roster of additional speakers available to the press. This will also be an informal opportunity for farmers to connect with other farmers. Contact Renske to be placed on the available speakers list.

A mid-day rally is also being planned, specifics to be announced as we secure venues, speakers, etc. The focus will be positive -- options for consumers which are "fair trade" and demands to keep those options in place. This will be an excellent opportunity for organizations working on alternative models of agriculture production, distribution, etc. to come out and have your voices heard -- bio-regional alternatives, co-ops, fair trade coalitions, etc.

If your organization is interested in presenting a workshop -- please submit a one-page outline to Renske van Staveren describing the session. The descriptions should include the following:

• Full description of workshop including speakers, issue areas, etc.
• Identify budget for printing, publicity, etc.
• Ideally the workshop would not be US-focused but global in nature, supported by an international partner

Renske will then work with the local host committee to find space for your workshop, and the event will be publicized along with all other agriculture-related events during the week.

Contact Renske van Staveren at: rvanstaveren@iatp.org or 612-870-3423 (phone), 612-870-4846 (fax)