Needs No Introduction

rabble.ca was the media sponsor for a panel held in Toronto to discuss Canada's role in international conflict, and the effects of war on security and border policies.

This edition of the podcast features the second part of the Diversity of Tactics panel held Feb. 20 at downtown Vancouver's W2 Community Media Arts Centre, to discuss and reflect on the effectiveness of varied protest methods in light of those used during the Olympics.

Put on by rabble.ca and Working TV, the event featured StopWar.ca activist and writer Derrick O'Keefe and No One Is Illegal activist and writer Harsha Walia. The panel was moderated by Charlie Smith, editor for The Georgia Straight, and was followed by a Q&A and audience discussion on the criticisms and benefits of a diversity of protest tactics.

Methods of protest vary, and there has been much discussion between Canadians lately about certain methods employed by demonstrators at the Vancouver Winter Olympics. After media denounced the destruction of property, including the smashing of a Hudson Bay Company window, some activists have suggested that such strategies could harm the greater cause. Others believe that by criticizing diversity of tactics, the movement's solidarity is undermined.

On Saturday, Feb. 20, at the W2 Community Media Arts Centre in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, rabble.ca and Working TV co-hosted a public discussion on the topic. StopWar.ca activist and writer, Derrick O'Keefe questioned a diversity of tactics. No One is Illegal activist and writer Harsha Walia expressed its benefits.

Please stay tuned for audio from the second half of the event, which consisted of a Q&A with O'Keefe and Walia, followed by audience discussion.

Click here for Part 2 of the discussion.

While the state of the economy has left a lot of people questioning the security of their pensions, the Canadian Labour Congress sees it to be an opportunity for progressive pension reform.

Its "Retirement Security for All" campaign is calling for increased public pensions and workplace pension protection. At CUPE's national pension trustee training session, the CLC's national representative, Joel Harden, described the agenda for action.

The Canadian Labour Congress' Joel Harden describes the agenda for action on its "Retirement Security for All" campaign.

On January 23rd, Canadians gathered in cities across the country to protest Stephen Harper's prorogation of Parliament. This week, we bring you voices from the rallies in Ottawa, Whitehorse and Toronto. Speakers: Elizabeth May; Chris Guinchard in Ottawa; Jennifer Ellis in Whitehorse; Singers in Whitehorse; Jack Layton; Two Clowns in Ottawa; Jonathan Allen, Organizer in Toronto; Louise Pritchard in Ottawa; Larry Gray in Whitehorse; Angus in Whitehorse; Michael Ignatieff; Trevor Strong of the Arrogant Worms; Maude Barlow.

"Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament" on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#/group.php?gid=260348091419&ref=ts

This week we're bringing you more from the Blue Summit on water issues.

Steven Shrybman practices international trade and public interest law in Ottawa, and he's on the Board of Directors of the Council of Canadians. He frequently speaks and has written extensively on the impact of international trade law on various aspects of Canadian policy. He has also been involved in drafting and promoting conventions on cultural diversity and access to water as a human right. In his presentation on the "next ten years" of public water on November 29th, Shrybman gave his audience seven convincing reasons why it isn't necessarily all doom and gloom ahead.

Over a weekend at the end of November, more than 300 participants came together in Ottawa for the Blue Summit. The event -- organized by the Council of Canadians and CUPE -- marked the 10th anniversary of "Water Watch", and highlighted Canada's place in the growing dilemma over freshwater preservation and ownership.

Council of Canadians chairperson Maude Barlow is the loudest voice of the water justice movement. As part of a panel discussion at the summit, moderator Morna Ballantyne asked her how governments are responding to the demand that water be recognized as a universal right. Following Barlow's response, additional opinions and plans of action were offered by other delegates.

Last September, cultural producers from around the world came together in the Toronto Declaration, to protest the Toronto International Film Festival's highlighting of Tel Aviv, as part of a Brand Israel marketing campaign. In the face of a disinformation campaign that tried to label Declaration signatories anti-semitic, a Celebration of Solidarity Event took place on September 14th, at Ryerson University - around the corner from major film festival venues. The event included solidarity statements from members of the film industry, and a discussion of why the Toronto Declaration came about. Speakers included Mazen Mazri, Elle Flanders, Joslyn Barnes, Elia Suleiman and John Greyson.

The discussion was moderated by Judy Rebick.

The event begins with audio from Amy Goodman and Naomi Klein, from a Democracy Now interview recorded in New York earlier in the day. This video can be viewed at: http://www.democracynow.org/2009/9/14/no_celebration_of_occupation_1_500 List of testimonials shared the Celebration of Solidarity event: Ken Loach is an English film and television director known for his influential and thought-provoking films that explore issues of class, labour rights and politics. This year, he successfully persuaded the Edinburgh Film Festival to refuse funding from the Israeli Embassy to comply with the global movement for boycott, divestment and sanctions. Udi Aloni is an American-Israeli filmmaker, writer and visual artist whose films and social justice work have often presented a critical perspective of Israel. Howard Zinn is an award-winning Jewish American historian and author of A People's History of the United States. Alice Walker is the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Color Purple, and a long-time activist for civil rights and peace. Joy Kogawa is a Canadian poet and novelist, as well as a Member of the Order of British Columbia and the Order of Canada. Rachel Zolf is a Canadian poet and literary editor. Viggo Mortenson, is an American actor, poet and musician. Velcrow Ripper is a Canadian documentary filmmaker whose films examine the intersection of spirituality and politics. Haidar Eid is a member of the Steering Committee for the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel, and a professor of Cultural Studies at Al-Aqsa University in Gaza. Video excerpts from the event can be found at:

http://rabble.ca/rabbletv/program-guide/2009/09/features/udi-aloni-testi...

http://rabble.ca/rabbletv/program-guide/2009/09/features/canadian-jewish...

http://rabble.ca/rabbletv/program-guide/2009/09/features/filmmaker-john-... The full text of the Toronto Declaration can be found here: http://torontodeclaration.blogspot.com/

John Amaechi (United Kingdom), Retired NBA superstar and Amnesty International Human Rights Ambassador and Brian Dooley (UK), Amnesty International, London spoke on Human Rights and Sports at the International Human Rights Conference associated to the World Out Games, held in Copenhagen in August 2009.

Major human rights breakthroughs have been made in the area of sport; Jesse Owens, Muhammad Ali and Martina Navratilova are iconic athletes and human rights figures. Sport can demolish stereotypes and promote diversity but it can also harbour bigotry and discrimination.

Some countries are allowed to send only male athletes to the Olympic Games; homophobia and racism remain unaddressed at the highest levels of major sports.

This workshop explored the power of sport to both perpetuate and overcome discrimination and share examples of effective human rights activism in sport.

Watch a video clip from the workshop: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jp4jaLCdL5M