RTJG Minutes of 29th August 2002 Meeting
  1. A welcome card for the new director of the WTO was signed by all those present. (WDM campaign)
  2. Reading Borough Council (RBC) GATS Resolution 17th September 2002
    • A draft letter has been produced and Cllr. Tony Jones will make amendments in the next few days.

      ACTION for DAN: deliver letter to all councillors.

    • A press release has been written by Peter. He will polish it and send it off a few days before.
    • Support on the day.

      ACTION for NAOMI: check structure of RBC meeting. Email members a reminder a few days before.

    • Tony Jones would like some input from RTJG for his speech.

      ACTION for HAMISH: send out comments to email list, aimed at helping Tony's speech.

  3. Rio to Reading Roadshow Peter will be manning the RISC stall all day.

    ACTION for DAN: make a RTJG flyer and poster for the event and send on to Peter.

  4. RTJG's contribution during Reading International Festival
    • Caroline Lucas talk. Naomi contacted Caroline Lucas to ask her to give a talk during the festival. Unfortunately CL is already due to give a talk at RISC during September.
    • Alternative option: Run a RTJG stall outside each event. Also have a video and discussion event which we can advertise on the stall.

    ACTION (for next meeting): Choose a video from the RISC library. Can we obtain the video for the next meeting?

    ACTION for DAN: Attend the relevant RISC meeting and fill in the necessary forms to run a stall.

  5. WDM: Lobby MEPs regarding GATS There will be a European parliamentary hearing on GATS in November. WDM suggest lobbying our MEPs.

    ACTION for MARK: Write a letter detailing the issues and calling for the MEPs' support. Send to each of the 7 MEPs of the south-east region. Place copy on newsgroup / webpage.

  6. Jane Griffiths
    • JG has replied to Dan's letter

      ACTION for DAN: Reply to the D.T.I. asking why hasn't a proper impact assessment for GATS been performed (cc. to JG). Circulate copy to RTJG members.

      ACTION for NAOMI: write to Tom Lines at WDM to see if he is aware of the EC claim that NGO's have shown little interest in GATS.

    • Meeting with JG We will meet JG in January or Feburary. We need to have a brainstorming session beforehand, to decide on questions and a general approach.

      ACTION for NAOMI: Ask JG if a January/ February meeting is ok.

      ACTION for DAN: Ask JG - in his reply to JG - what are her views regarding the Gov'ts consultation on GATS.

  7. FOE trade issue emails will now be sent directly to the newsgroup.
  8. Donations for material at the 'Rio to Reading Roadshow' and this RTJG meeting were made by those members present.
  9. RTJG Reading Group - First meeting: Tuesday 24th September in the Global Cafe.

    Brenda suggested 3 choices for the first meeting. We have decided on Will Hutton's book 'The World We're In', in particular pages 178-207, plus pages 74-5.

  10. Recruitment - carried over to next meeting
  11. Restructuring of RTJG - carried over to next meeting.
  12. Next meeting: salient items for agenda
    • Restructuring of RTJG - debate and vote
    • Brainstorming session (including preparation for the Jand Griffiths meeting?)