After talking to Eurofreaks last week in Brussels

Last week I was in Brussels and felt nostalgic as it usually happens when you visit a city where you have lived. I remembered when I first went. I made up my mind in my last year of university: Europe seemed the materialization of all those abstract academic concepts: a union of democracies, built for the purpose of peace, based on multilateralism, human rights and the rule of Law. Brussels hosted what I thought it was a great model for doing politics as well as many of the NGOs which I admired the most. I took my suitcases and left towards Brussels!  The first thing I noticed was that there was something special about people in Brussels. You can easily understand their motivation is not the same as the ones who decide to go to  the City in London or Wall Street. You could say that, as me, many go with their pockets full of idealism. 

As I was saying, I went to Brussels last week and met a good bunch of Eurofreak friends when there (sorry, there is no other name for calling us).  And what do I hear from them? 

• There are no leaders in Europe anymore
• The more I spend time here the more I am becoming a Eurosceptic
• Decision makers are so incompetent. They don’t know what they talk about.
• Europe has no strength, because it is meant to be this way.
•  It is always easier to blame Europe and make Europe “take the tough decisions” and leave the popular ones for the states.
• Brussels is what national politicians do not want: the leftovers.

 and a big list of other arguments with which I, of course, agreed. Because, don’t confuse yourselves: I am in favour of critical thinking (though critical thinking in itself does not make engaged citizens).

However, when I remember now the visit last week I do not do it with bitterness or disillusion. On the contrary, what has sunk in is the passion and dedication with which they still talk. Plus, they are, if not already, becoming real experts on their dossiers: the supervision of financial markets, the renewable energy sector, transport, protection of fish stocks, fostering participation of civil society, promoting European culture…One day in Brussels with a bunch of friends and  you get such a good grasp of many of the issues in which the EU is working now! Something that definitely does not occur to me in Vigo.

Now I am back and I read reports of the weakness of Europe, its lack of leadership and presence on the global stage and I can just think of all these skilled and committed people who I know and work everyday for Europe, from Brussels and all other parts of the world. And yes, I have hope. Hope thanks to all of them who, from their offices, work  for a governance model in which they believe, engaged in improving the living of millions of Europeans and contributing to a better world .

I think dreaming is the first step towards the wished reality. I think our everyday small actions (and reports, and  ideas, and conversations, and thoughts, and speeches, and press releases) make all the difference in creating a Europe that can be the road model for a participatory and open democracy. Our actions are small but it is many of us who believe and work for a better Europe -and in European terms-. Too many to ignore.

There are other reasons to go to Brussels besides the EU

 

 

The work of Rarindra Prakarsa

 See more about his work at:  http://photo.net/photodb/slideshow?folder_id=639613

(Photography lesson 2: pictures with closed aperture)

The view from my window.

(closed aperture)

Fighting Poverty

Almost 80 million Europeans live at risk of poverty (16% of EU population), which means they face insecurity, and go without meeting what most people think would be basic needs . We do not need to think faraway. When looking around it is not hard to recognise the faces of the homeless people living in our same streets, to listen to the stories of those families living for less than 400 euros a month with which they need to feed their sons and daughters, to see those wobbly shadows hidden inside their coats trying to rescue some food from the trash containers in front of our places… Not in vain, the EU has dedicated this year to the fight against poverty.

Some great organisations are devoting the bulk of their work to this fight.

As EAEA (European Association for the Education of Adults) puts it

Living in poverty may result in a variety of problems, from not having enough money to spend on food and clothes to suffering poor housing conditions and even homelessness. Poverty also means having to cope with limited lifestyle choices that may lead to social exclusion.

EAPN (European Antipoverty Network) explains clearly facts and figures about Poverty in the EU:

the extent and seriousness of the problem is often not well understood either by policy makers or the general public.  As a result sufficient urgency is not given to its eradication. 

Another common term associated with poverty is “vulnerability”. People are in a vulnerable situation when their personal well-being is put at risk because they lack sufficient resources, are at risk of being in debt, suffer poor health, experience educational disadvantage and live in inadequate housing and environment. These are important related concepts. However, not all people who are socially excluded or vulnerable are poor and EAPN in this explainer wishes to focus on the specific dimension of poverty.

Often this is because people only think of poverty as being something which is so extreme that it threatens people’s very existence and they associate this mainly with developing countries. 

However, the reality is that poverty in the European Union is a very real problem which brings misery to the lives of many people, curtails their fundamental rights, limits the opportunities they have to achieve their full potential, brings high costs to society and hampers sustainable economic growth. 

Poverty also reflects failures in the systems for redistributing resources and opportunities in a fair and equitable manner. These lead to deep-seated inequalities and thus to the contrast of excessive wealth concentrated in the hands of a few while others are forced to live restricted and marginalised lives, even though they are living in a rich economic area.

The debate on poverty in the EU is often closely associated with “social exclusion”. The term social exclusion is used to emphasise the processes which push people to the edge of society, which limit their access to resources and opportunities, curtail their participation in normal social and cultural life leaving them feeling marginalised, powerless and discriminated against.

Hopefully the dedication of this year to this cause may result in more awareness and commitment to tackle the roots of the problem.

More info at: http://www.2010contralapobreza.msps.es/en/home.htm

 

Espacio Atlántico

Obras expuestas en Espacio Atlántico – Feria de arte contemporáneo. Vigo 2010.

( en afín, fresca y buena compañía)

Esta semana. Haití.

Sebastião Salgado

 

Sebastião Salgado

Esta semana he ido a la oficina por la mañana y por la tarde. Haití. He llegado a casa, me he concentrado en mi doctorado. Haití. He ido a mis cursos de francés e inglés. También al de fotografía donde conocí el trabajo de Sebastião Salgado. Haití. He ido a un cumpleaños donde me lo pasé muy bien, se habló de fútbol, de la crisis económica, de la vida en los bares. Haití. He hecho la compra en el supermercado, cambiado algún regalo de navidades en las rebajas y visto un par de capítulos de Damages en series yonquis. Haití. También he visto dos comedias para reírse un buen rato. Haití. He leído retales de libros, periódicos y revistas. Haití.

Un cura -aunque poco importa que fuese un cura- me dijo una vez que había dos opciones: paralizarse y actuar. Black Hole Sun no llega nunca a los muñecos de goma con chalé en California. Cientos de miles es el tamaño de ciudades donde he vivido. Qué poquito sabía yo de Haití, el país más pobre de América. Pillaje, saqueo, robos. Saramago vivió la catástrofe de Haití antes de crear su mundo de ciegos. Mañana todo comenzará a arreglarse. Nunca una catástrofe igual, nunca tanta falta de organización, de estructura. Patricia se ha unido al grupo  Por el envío íntegro a Haití de la herencia recibida por la casa Real. Sesenta y ocho horas después del terremoto, una niña de 16 meses es salvada. Y si hubiesen dejado de buscar después de sesenta y seis horas. Hay números de cuentas para donar ayuda. Y si el mundo te atenaza, deshazte de la piedra en el riñón.

 

Une soirée avec Éric Rohmer

C´était le premier film de Eric Rohmer que mon oncle Luis nous a fait découvrir (il y en aurait d’autres après) quand on était encore des jeunes filles (il nous invitait chez lui, on regardait deux ou trois films, l`un après l’autre, et on mangeait des pâtes qu’il avait préparées). L’élégance de la simplicité, la puissance de la parole, l’absence de couleurs, et, bien sûr, l’icone des boulangeries françaises se trouvent dans les forts souvenirs que j’ai de cette soirée cinématographique. 

Au revoir, Eric Rohmer.

Spanish Presidency and Citizens. Good luck!

 

And with the new year, the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union is already here. The moment is quite a unique one: after a period of stalemate, the Lisbon Treaty kicks off, after being ratified by all the Member States. Having a stronger EU will be partly the responsibility of this presidency.

The challenges ahead in this period are huge so as their consequences for the citizens: firstly, to put the house in order: the institutional reform output of the Treaty of Lisbon should bring about a stronger and more democratic Europe (more power for the European Parliament and the adhesion to the European Convention of Human Rights amongst them). Secondly, to address the economic crisis in Europe as well as the job loss and the regulation of the financial markets (that can set a proper basis to avoid the lack of control of financial markets that led to the economic crisis we are still suffering). Thirdly, with the creation of the European External Action Service (EEAS) that will serve as a foreign ministry and diplomatic corps for the EU, to covert the EU into a genuine global player (at last?). My hope as well is that Spain uses its distinctive relation with the Mediterranean countries to affect, at last, the Middle East conflict. Fourthly, to adopt a non-discrimination directive, in order to fight against gender violence from a European perspective.

Last but not least, this is a crucial moment to reinforce direct democracy and engagement of citizens with the European Union. The newly ratified Lisbon Treaty, not only will strengthen the role of the only democratically elected European institution, the European Parliament, but also will include the application of the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI): One million European citizens can submit a legislative proposal to the Commission in any of the EU areas of responsibility. In November 2009, the European Commission already published a communication for consultation. Spain should try to make its best to implement this transnational tool of democracy to be passed on during its presidency (some elements agreed between activist and experts on a fair implementation).

For all this to happen, joint efforts are needed. Good luck, Spanish Presidency!

 

 

 

 

Christmas wishes

During these days, I hope you will have some time to spend with your dear ones, relax and enjoy! No more, no less.

See you in 2010!

Any truth between men and women?

I did not need to watch any longer. I knew she would find an excuse to hang about the courtyard – perhaps petting and patting the oxen, giving them figs, or pretend the well needed attention. She would be waiting for him. I knew that he would want to go off into the streets with the other boys, for an evening´s fun -he was not often here in this house in Rome itself. But I knew too that these two would spend tonight together, no matter what he would have preferred.

This little scene seems to me to sum up a truth in the relations between men and women.

Extract from the novel The Cleft – Doris Lessing (Harper Perennial, 2008)

Copenhagen: civil society headlines

A climate shame, but we´re not done yet

The Most Important People Were Not in Copenhagen

Copenhagen – Historic failure that will live in infamy

Historic moment, historic gathering, historic COP OUT

Copenhague defrauda con un acuerdo insuficiente

La lucha de la causa saharaui: algunas reflexiones.

 Durante 32 días hemos visto languidecer a Aminetu Haidar en un aeropuerto, encarnando una forma de resistencia que conmovió a muchos, cuyas imágenes han dado la vuelta al mundo, e impulsando un ciberactivismo solidario bastante importante (decir masivo es faltar a la verdad).  Hoy, afortunadamente, Aminetu Haidar ha podido volar a El Aaiún con los suyos.

Sin ser una experta en el tema, he testimoniado durante años la organización de un movimiento serio, coherente, pacífico por la causa saharaui. En España, existe una gran vinculación afectiva con el Sahara Occidental: familias por todo el país acogen a niños saharauis, se organizan viajes a los campos de refugiados, la sensibilización en el ámbito asociativo es relativamente grande. Sin duda, no así en la ciudadanía general para la cual era una causa caída en el olvido (bien señala una amiga mía algo increíble considerando que era territorio español hasta 1976).

A veces, esta impecable organización ha sido víctima de su propio éxito. He escuchado a más de un alto funcionario de la Unión Europea pronunciar palabras como para hacer el lobby que hacen, tienen que tener mucho dinero,  tienen  publicidad, hay involucrados profesores universitarios y abogados, etc.  o acusaciones más serias,  los que están aquí [en Bruselas] viven del sufrimiento de los que están en el campo de refugiados. Al principio, no acababa de entenderlo. Reflexionando creo que, simplemente, en estos tiempos para muchos es difícil de entender que todavía haya colectivos pacíficos por una causa justa y digna. Es más fácil de entender la lucha que sufraga armas o creer que el idealismo es un reducto  de utópicos con ideas trasnochadas.

 El pragmatismo del status quo se ha inculcado tanto en nuestras instituciones que no sólo no entendemos a quienes son capaces de mantener una lucha por sus ideas de forma constante en el tiempo, si no que no les creemos y les hacemos sospechoso de algún crimen (el recurso tan socorrido de culpabilizar a la víctima).  Es paradójico que quienes utilizan las herramientas de la diplomacia, las redes de la sociedad civil, los mecanismos del Derecho Internacional, etc. estén sujetos a la ignorancia y la ignominia. Creerles y apoyarles requiere demasiado esfuerzo, cambios y coraje.    

La injusticia cometida contra Aminatu Haidar y su respuesta con la huelga de hambre ha llevado el mensaje saharaui a la primera plana mediática, la más volátil. Seguramente pronto olvidaremos ¿Qué influencia tiene este hecho, si alguna, en la verdadera agenda política? Ya existen  105 resoluciones de la ONU en el Sahara. La ONU considera la presencia marroquí en el Sahara Occidental como un hecho colonial y una agresión inadmisible que viola la voluntad del pueblo saharaui, que vive en un campo de refugiados  en el desierto en condiciones inhóspitas, sometidos a violaciones de sus Derechos Humanos. 

Vivimos en tiempos en los que existen un número de leyes internacionales justas que no se cumplen; tiempos en el que el Sahara volverá a caer en el olvido  mientras algunos seguirán luchando. Por suerte, Aminetu Haidar estará entre ellos.

 

A cultura marítima galega

 

 

 

A segunda acepción de Cultura do diccionario da Real Academia da Lingua Galega di que ista é un conxunto de coñecementos, crenzas e costumes que caracterizan as sociedades humanas organizadas, particularmente as máis avanzadas. 

Avanzados, de feito, foron os fundadores da Federación Galega pola Cultura Marítima e Fluvial, polo ano 1994 que embarcaron nesta travesía, coa teima de poñer en valor tódalas manifestacións culturais da vida ó redor do mar: as embarcacións tradicionais, a arquitectura marítima, a vida do xente do mar… Se algo caracteriza a cultura galega é a súa relación co mar. A cultura marítima ten o raro valor de ser ó mesmo tempo propia e aberta: conecta dende séculos a pobos distantes entre si. 

Convídovos a ler os seus blogs e mailas súas revistas; visitar as dornas, galeóns, e gamelas que haxa nos vosos portos; asistir  os seus encontros e as súas xuntanzas.  Convídovos a vivir o mar.

 

Cosas de la meiga Zoe

Para Marta

El rey Midas ha debido de enviarme a su hija este fin de semana. Mi casa, mis libros, todos los tés e infusiones, también el bosque, la ermita del monte, las calles angostas … se convertían en oro (y sueños) cuando los tocaba. Fue ella sin duda la que transformó la mar en oro y le puso el nombre de puesta de sol.

En la piscina

Me gusta nadar al mediodía
a cada brazada, un fogonazo,

un largo de una mujer
cada día más lánguida,
encarnando la muerte de su pueblo
en un aeropuerto;

otro, de 192 panzudos sentados
sobre la cumbre del planeta,
les miramos desde la falda,
y ya hay lágrimas que derriten el valle;

(un estiramiento de actores calvos, mujeres chic,
fotogramas y pósters de cartelera).

A cada brazada,
me persigue el oxígeno en exterminio,
me baño en ríos de sangre pobre,
hay letras que me trepan por los brazos pidiendo auxilio,
me frena un muro alto, alto de cemento seco.

Inspiro, expiro.

Inspirar la nada clórica,
expirar la esperanza absurda.

Inspiro, expiro.

Pongo estas imágenes a remojo,
nada bueno puedo hacer con ellas,
me queda nadar,
25 metros en idas y vueltas,
me gusta.

On our behalf

Tomorrow starts the Copenhagen climate conference. 192 governments will try to thrash out a successor to the Kyoto Protocol which expires in 2012  amongst growing signals from scientists that global warming is occurring faster  than expected.

According to a Eurobarometer survey, almost nine out 10 EU citizens believe climate change is a serious problem, with 63% convinced that it is a “very serious” issue and 24% deeming it a “fairly serious” matter.  The  poll also reveals that almost two thirds of US citizens reject the idea that the seriousness of the problem has been exaggerated, and instead put it at the top of the priorities which the world should face today. That should depict the opinion of the citizens from the “developed countries”.

The talks have stalled on the developed countries’ governments reluctance to engage to concrete financial aid to developing countries and a lack of commitment to sufficient CO2 reduction targets.

The web buzz towards the conference has been enormous, just some great organised blogs and campaigns here: 

http://tcktcktck.org/

 http://hopenhagen.org/ 

Blog competiton: http://climatechange.thinkaboutit.eu/ 

Greenpeace campaign http://weblog.greenpeace.org/climate/ 

WWF Spain 

10 claves para el éxito de Copenhagen: http://www.wwf.es/que_hacemos/cambio_climatico/copenhague_09__vota_por_el_planeta/wwf_en_copenhague/

Organised citizens have given a clear mandate to our politicians, our representatives. I hope they have listened and will talk on our behalf. As someone said When people lead, leaders follow.

to shoot an elephant

Last year we could witness the horror of Israel´s bombing against Gaza through the eyes of the brave Alberto Arce sending his reports to the media from inside of the Gaza strip, putting his life at risk. Through his eyes we could access a small part of the reality which was denied to the Western sight. Someone had to do it, and it was him who dared.

 With the footage from those days, he has put together a two hours film showing us a bit of that hell, to shoot and elephant, in which reality is given to us in its authentic cruelty. If we aim at being honest with ourselves, we should try to watch it.

It should remind us of the dramatic situation in which Palestinian people still live today due to Israeli occupation. It is far from over.

 http://toshootanelephant.com/

 

 

AIDS and media

 Back in 2003 I spent some of my time as a trainee in the Health Public Service investigating how AIDS was portrayed in the Spanish media since it was discovered (in the year 1981). 

The evolution was quite clear throughout the media, and I will just mention quickly the biggest milestones: first, AIDS was depicted as an illness affecting only some of the scorned minorities of the time (yes, you know, gays, drug addicts, prostitutes, etc.). When the sports idol Magic Johnson confessed he had AIDS in 1991 he ushered in a new era in which more celebrities started to come out. Public opinion was obliged to face the reality. AIDS was not any longer something living in the suburbs, it was just right there in the centre, and growing at a phenomenal pace. Public administrations started then their big Communication campaigns promoting the use of condoms, etc. until figures started dropping steadily. 

When I was doing this research (in 2003) all what media talked about (always around the 1^st of December as it was not an actuality topic along the year any longer) was the problem of AIDS in developing countries, especially in Africa, together with the controversy of the messages from religions leaders in these areas. Something we have listened to for a long time. 

What happens today in 2009? I read the press reports of the city in which I live today and despite the  decrease in the number of deaths, the prevalence of the sickness and the number of people with AIDS is increasing, a reality shared with many cities throughout Europe.  Here, eight out of ten people get infected for not using a condom. 

Sometimes it is easier to think it is not our problem, it is theirs. It is not here, it is there. We prefer not to look, not to see, not to change. But we have to.

 

L´innommable

- Je suis ton père. Tu ne vas pas tuer ton père.

- Ça s´appelle un parricide. Si ça porte un nom, c´est que ça existe.

- Tuer son père pour un journal intime!

- Il n’y a pas de mot pour la violation d’un journal. Ça prouve que c´est plus grave. C´est innommable.

Journal d´Hirondelle. Amélie Nothomb

Untitled

Unknown author

  As my colleague says:  Sometimes One Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words