First paragraph (Teaser):

Let's get organized for the Summit of the Americas! As we’re rapidly approaching the Summit of the Americas which will be held in Quebec City in April, it is important for independent journalists to begin getting organised in order to assure a good coverage of the event. This is why the Centre for Media Alternatives - Quebec 2001 (CMAQ) is inviting you to a convergence of independent journalists from Quebec and Canada, as well as from the United States, which will be held on March 24th and 25th in Quebec City.

Rest of the text:

IMPORTANT : If you would like to participate, please register now (see form below). Thanks! Please transmit this message to media contacts.

FTAA - Summit of the Americas in Quebec City

CONVERGENCE OF INDEPENDANT MEDIA

Where? Quebec City
When? March 24th and 25th, 2001
Host? CMAQ (http://www.cmaq.net)

Hello everybody! As we’re rapidly approaching the Summit of the Americas which will be held in Quebec City in April, it is important for independent journalists to begin getting organised in order to assure a good coverage of the event. This is why the Centre for Media Alternatives - Quebec 2001 (CMAQ) is inviting you to a convergence of independent journalists from Quebec and Canada, as well as from the United States, which will be held on March 24th and 25th in Quebec City. (Translation will be provided.)

If you are interested in attending the convergence, there is a registration form below. It is important that it is completed as quickly as possible. Please know that we will be able to offer accommodation. We would also appreciate your comments and suggestions for the workshops proposed for the second day (see schedule at the end of this message).

The main objective of this meeting will be to collectively decide a method of functioning during the Summit, in order to maximize the journalistic efficiency of our work and to ensure the diffusion of information concerning this important event. The convergence will be a great occasion to learn what services the CMAQ offers, to make contacts and discuss different themes and to get familiar with Quebec City and the local groups who are working in contestation to the Summit.

The Summit of the Americas will be held in Quebec City from the 20th to the 22nd of April, with the presence of 34 heads of State from the Americas (with the exception of Fidel Castro from Cuba). The objective of the event is to put into operation a free-trade agreement which will span the three Americas, without the consultation of the population.

Because of the flagrant lack of transparency on the part of its organizers, there will be numerous challenges involved in providing good coverage of this event. There will also be a multitude of demonstrations, conferences and activities which will take place simultaneously throughout the three days of the Summit, all of this being enclosed by the largest security measures ever to be used in Canadian history. Our work will not be easy; it is therefore of great importance that we be organized well in advance.

CONTACTING US

General e-mail : i...@cmaq.net (We’ll have an address for the convergence soon. Until then, please use this address with "Convergence " as subject.)

Questions, comments and suggestions:

About the convergence: dubo...@hotmail.com
About convergence programming: vero...@alternatives.ca
About CMAQ: mlam...@alternatives.ca
Equipment and technical stuff: gagn...@hotmail.com

By phone : 418.523.6282 (people answering may not be very fluent in English, so please speak clearly and slowly.)

By snail mail : CMAQ, 620 Côte d'Abraham, Québec, QC, G1R 1A1 CANADA

HOUSING
To the best of its capacities, the CMAQ will organize housing for visiting journalists (see form below).

LANGUAGES
Most of the convergence events will be held in both English and French (with translation when needed) and we’ll do our best to provide translation for Spanish speakers.

FINANCING
Monetary contributions for the convergence are on a voluntary basis (but would be greatly appreciated). If you would prefer to contribute immediately, please visit this page: http://www.cmaq.net/support.ch2

EQUIPEMENT
The convergence would be a great time to drop off any equipment you’re willing to lend or donate) to CMAQ for April. For details on what we could use, please contact Carol at gagn...@hotmail.com

STAYING IN TOUCH
In order to receive all important info about CMAQ and the Convergence, subscribe to: L...@cmaq.net at this URL :
http://www.cmaq.net/mailman/listinfo/list

=======================================================
======? REGISTRATION FORM ?=======

Please fill this out if you intend to come either to the convergence or for the Summits (of the Americas or People’s Summit). Please return it to i...@cmaq.net as soon has possible (with " Registration " as subject).

=>NAME (if you’re forming a group, please write all names):

=>WHERE ARE YOU FROM? :

=>MEDIA (OR ORGANISATION) :

=> EMAIL:

=> *PHONE NUMBER :

=> *FAX :

=> *POSTAL CODE :

=>WHEN DO YOU PLAN TO ARRIVE?
=> For the convergence - Friday evening (March 23), Saturday morning (March 24) other…:

=> For the Summits (of the Americas or People’s Summit, from April 17 to 22) :

=> WHAT MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION DO YOU PLAN TO USE? :
(If you come by car would you be willing to offer lifts?)

=> FOOD - DO YOU HAVE SPECIFIC NEEDS?

=> DO YOU NEED HOUSING? WHEN?

=> WILL YOU BE COMING WITH CHILDREN? IF SO, DO YOU NEED DAYCARE?

=> DO YOU SMOKE? AND IF NOT WOULD YOU MIND STAYING AT A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE DO?

=> DO YOU HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS FOR HOUSING?
(i.e. no pets, women only space, no stairs, other…)

=> DO YOU PLAN TO DROP OFF SOME EQUIPEMENT FOR CMAQ? WHAT?

=> ARE YOU AVAILABLE TO LEND A HAND DURING THE CONVERGENCE?

*You don’t have to answer these questions

PROGRAM PROPOSAL FOR THE CONVERGENCE

(For comments and suggestions: vero...@alternatives.ca )

Saturday, March 24

AM - Tour of the main sites : the official and parallel Summit, the perimeter, etc.; the CMAQ’s press room

PM - Media Forum :
a) The CMAQ team welcomes you! (presentation of the Centre and its role; the goals of the convergence) - what are the IMCs and what they do - editorial policy

b) Presentation of activism in Quebec City surrounding the Summit

c) Media assembly - Discussion and decisions on :
1. Journalists’ concerns and needs for Quebec 2001
2. Possibility of an assignment system for independant media and journalists during the Summit
3. Decision-making during the Summit (role of affinity groups, delegates)
4. Security issues (protection of the site, the Centre, the information material, etc.)
d) Constitution of affinity groups (in preparation of the Sunday AM meeting)

Supper-party

Sunday, March 25

AM - Affinity groups meetings (planning, roles and responsibilities)

PM - a) Thematic workshops (suggested topics listed below)
b) Plenary session, conclusion
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Suggested workshops (depending on the number/interests of participants, there will be about 4 taking place simultaneously):
- Violence and journalism; protecting yourself
- Journalists’ rights
- Role of independent journalists (in events such as the Summit)
- Relations with mainstream media
- Maximizing information out-reach (for communities with limited access to technology)