Post by ellyrobson on May 11, 2009 17:52:25 GMT
This has been raised on the email lists.
My opinion is that committing to fundraising or any serious action to aid the Tamils in Sri Lanka would be a major step for CGS to take.
I deeply believe in drawing links and supporting those who are being oppressed by their governments or external governments, everywhere. I think CGS should be broad and dynamic and fight against many aspects of oppression, as they are often deeply interlinked - we do not want the university to invest in arms companies, not just because of Gaza, but because of military actions across the world that are used for political ends, and cause destruction and loss of life.
However, so far our focus has been upon Gaza and Palestine. Various people involved in CGS are also involved in other movements, such as worker's rights, climate activism, charitable work, education not for sale etc. In that sense, CGS has a broad base and links with many other struggles.
However, if we did decide that actively and collectively aiding the situation of those in Sri Lanka is part of our agenda, we would need to decide in which way it was suitable for us to act as CGS.
For example, we could express our solidarity as a group with the cause and advertise and attend actions run by groups focussing specifically on the situation in Sri Lanka. Any decision to do this would need to be by consensus!
If we decided to be more active and run our own events - either fundraiser or protest, it would require even more thought. Do we have the collective will and organisational capacity to act strongly on the situation in Sri Lanka?
Would enough people involved in CGS be comfortable with supporting the Tamil cause/ condemning the Sri Lankan government? we would need to be sure that we would not be alienating some people. Might it be more appropriate to start another group that many of those involved in CGS (including myself) would be interested in?
Secondly, what action would be appropriate. Do we have the capacity as a group to organise an appropriate and effective event? Or would our energy be best invested supporting others who are already taking action?
Just some thoughts...
My opinion is that committing to fundraising or any serious action to aid the Tamils in Sri Lanka would be a major step for CGS to take.
I deeply believe in drawing links and supporting those who are being oppressed by their governments or external governments, everywhere. I think CGS should be broad and dynamic and fight against many aspects of oppression, as they are often deeply interlinked - we do not want the university to invest in arms companies, not just because of Gaza, but because of military actions across the world that are used for political ends, and cause destruction and loss of life.
However, so far our focus has been upon Gaza and Palestine. Various people involved in CGS are also involved in other movements, such as worker's rights, climate activism, charitable work, education not for sale etc. In that sense, CGS has a broad base and links with many other struggles.
However, if we did decide that actively and collectively aiding the situation of those in Sri Lanka is part of our agenda, we would need to decide in which way it was suitable for us to act as CGS.
For example, we could express our solidarity as a group with the cause and advertise and attend actions run by groups focussing specifically on the situation in Sri Lanka. Any decision to do this would need to be by consensus!
If we decided to be more active and run our own events - either fundraiser or protest, it would require even more thought. Do we have the collective will and organisational capacity to act strongly on the situation in Sri Lanka?
Would enough people involved in CGS be comfortable with supporting the Tamil cause/ condemning the Sri Lankan government? we would need to be sure that we would not be alienating some people. Might it be more appropriate to start another group that many of those involved in CGS (including myself) would be interested in?
Secondly, what action would be appropriate. Do we have the capacity as a group to organise an appropriate and effective event? Or would our energy be best invested supporting others who are already taking action?
Just some thoughts...