PREFACE: Neo-colonialism, its extent and its effects, is the subject of the Third Redwood Sequoia Congress 2002 to be held in Berkeley, California, September 14 & 15, 2002. The theme, Democracy vs. Empire, Which side are you choosing? is stated as a question to remind us that democracy in our time is not a given. Absent our proactive choice through nurturing of community and mutual goals and agreements, the forces bent on empire and colonial exploitation win by default.
Saturday, September 14
9:00-9:30am: Registration and Introduction
9:30am-NOON: Forestry Panel
(Facilitator, Darlene Pratt, BACH) The great forests. Humankind’s original community. Their condition an indicator of the state of the planet. The efforts to protect them here and abroad. Indigenous forest communities struggle against the oiligarchies. The meaning and long term effects of the Bari-Cherney victory. Venue: Fellowship Hall.
Saturday, September 14
1:30pm - 3:30pm: “The New World Order—Democracy or Empire?”
(Facilitator, Pratap Chatterjee, KPFA) Panel on the contest between communities and supranational corporations. Historical origins of the colonial culture. The drive by central powers to acquire what have been the “commons” of the earth. Duel between democracy and empire. Our place and role in the long sweep of historical processes. How communities have fought back and the successful techniques they have used. Delaying tactics, genuine change, and co-optation. Venue: Fellowship Hall.
Saturday, September 14
7pm - 10pm
Keynote Evening. Master of Ceremonies: Supervisor Keith Carson. Music: Country Joe McDonald. Performance: Sherry Glaser. Keynote Speech: Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich. Venue: Wheeler Auditorium, U. C. Berkeley Campus.
Sunday, September 15
10am - 12pm
Green Sunday Service at the Fellowship Hall. Richard Challacombe: “The Nature Of Our Relationship With The Living Earth.”
Sunday, September 15
1pm - 2:45pm
(Facilitator, Leuren Moret, Scientists For Indigenous People) Panel discussion of the “2020” and other military plans to control the populations of the Earth from space. The Kucinich Bill to create a federal Department of Peace. Venue: Fellowship Hall
Sunday, September 15
3pm - 5pm
Forum of local and state candidates standing for election in November, 2002. Hear platforms and ask questions. To elect capable, responsive representatives is essential to our form of democracy. Venue: Fellowship Hall
Sunday, September 15
5pm
Closing remarks.
NOTE: This schedule for the RS Congress 2002 Program was updated on August 28, 2002.
Third Redwood-Sequoia Congress, Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists
Contact: 510-233-3175. email: rscongress@bfuu.org