First paragraph (Teaser):

In order to prepare independent coverage of the Summit of the Americas in Quebec city (and the Second Peoples’ Summit of the Americas), the Center for Media Alternatives – Quebec 2001 (CMAQ) will be hosting a independent media convergence on March 24-25.

Rest of the text:

-Please, send this invitation to as many media contacts you have-

FTAA - THE SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS IN QUEBEC CITY

INDEPENDANT MEDIA CONVERGENCE IN QUEBEC CITY – M24-25

WHERE : Quebec city
WHEN : March 24 – 25
HOST : CMAQ (http://www.cmaq.net)

In order to prepare independent coverage of the Summit of the Americas in Quebec city (and the Second Peoples’ Summit of the Americas), the Center for Media Alternatives – Quebec 2001 (CMAQ) will be hosting a independent media convergence on March 24-25.

The convergence will be a great opportunity for journalists from all over the Americas to get to know the city (particularly the site where the Summit of the Americas will be held), the groups that are organising protests in Quebec and what this Summit is all about.

This will also be the best time to form affinity groups (by media and by languages) and to discuss organisation issues beforehand.

There’s a program proposal for the convergence at the end of this post. Please direct any proposals or comments you may have about that to Veronica at : vero...@alternatives.ca.

If you intend to come to the media convergence and/or for the Summit(s), please fill out the registration form below and e-mail it to us at i...@cmaq.net (with the word « Registration » in the subject line)

CONTEXT

=> Summit of the Americas (http://www.summit-americas.org)
The Summit of the Americas is to be held April 20-22 in Quebec City, where the heads of 34 American states (expect for Cuba’s Fidel Castro) will be discussing the creation of an expanded free trade zone, the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas (FTAA). Many citizens' groups and activist organisations have voiced concerns over the negotiation process' lack of accountability as well as the absence of environmental and social concerns. Thousands of protesters are expected this spring in Quebec. Authorities are putting in place for this event the biggest security operation in Canadian history.

=> Second People’s Summit (http://www.peoplessummit.org)
The Réseau québécois sur l'intégration continentale (RQIC) and Common Frontiers, representing two coalitions of labour unions, international cooperation organisations, environmental groups, research groups and other grass-roots organisations, are responsible for organising the Second Peoples' Summit of the Americas on behalf of the Hemispheric Social Alliance (HSA). The Summit, to be held in Québec City from April 17 to 21, 2001, will coincide with the meeting of heads of state and government leaders. The Summit is an international event that will be attended by representatives of major social and labour organisations from the 35 countries of the Americas, including Cuba.

=> Around the Summits
Many others organizations and networks (students, women, citizen organisations, independant trade unions, environnmentalists, etc..) are also been converging for the last year in preparation for Quebec. Tons of activities are expected from demontrations, teach-in, radical cheerleading, to music festivals. You’ll find the most complete and up to date calendar of events at : http://www.cmaq.net/hor.ch2 .

CONTACTING US

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

Questions and/or proposals
About technical stuff: Carol at caro...@hotmail.com

About the program for the Media Forum: Veronica at vero...@alternatives.ca

About the convergence : Christian at dubo...@hotmail.com

About CMAQ: mlam...@alternatives.ca

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

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.

HOUSING
CMAQ will organise housing for visiting journalists (see form below).

FINANCING
Monetary contributions for the convergence are on a voluntary basis (but would be greatly appreciated). If you want to contribute right now, 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 infos about CMAQ and the convergence, you should subscribe to L...@cmaq.net at this URL : http://www.cmaq.net/mailman/listinfo/list

=======================================================

======? REGISTRATION FORM ?=======
Please fill out if you intend to come either to the
convergence or for the Summits. Please send back
to i...@cmaq.net as soon has possible (with the
word « Registration » on the subject line)

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

=>WHERE ARE YOU FROM? :

=>MEDIA (OR ORGANISATION) :

=> EMAIL:

=>* PHONE NUMBER :

=> *FAX :

=> *POSTAL ADRESS :

=>WHEN DO YOU PLAN TO ARRIVE?
=> For the convergence (Friday evening on March 23, Saturday morning on March 24, other…) ?:
=> For the Summits (from April 17 to 22) ? :

=> WHAT MEAN 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 SPECIALS NEEDS FOR HOUSING?
(ie no pets, women only space, no stairs, others…)

=> 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 MEDIA CONVERGENCE

Note that this is a proposal. If you have comments, ideas (especially for conferences-workshops), or anything to contribute to the program, please contact Veronica at : vero...@alternatives.ca .

=>Friday, March 23
12:00 - late – Arrival at the press room and dispatch to sleeping places

=> Saturday, March 24

>9:00-11:00 Tour of the site where the Summit of the Americas will be held

>11:30 – 12:30 :Lunch

>1:00 – 6:00 pm Media Forum
1:00 – 1:45 :Opening speech
2:00 – 4:30 :Thematic conferences-workshops
5:00 – 6:00 : Putting in common

>6:30 – late: Supper-party

=>Sunday, March 25

>9:30 AM – 12:00 Media assembly (time to make collective decisions)
>12:00 – 1:00 PM Lunch
>1:00 – 4:00 Affinity groups meetings (planning, roles and responsibilities)
>4:00 Departure

The CMAQ media guide to Quebec city should be ready for the convergence in three languages (Francais, English, Espanol).